i have owned my 1970 f-100 for 12 years. in those 12 years i have taken very good care to maintain "my baby". with the exeption of one thing... rear axle bearings!
i have gained the understanding and fundementals of EVERY inch, bolt, screw, and bushing of my truck, with the exeption of the rear wheel bearings!
i have had way too much fun customizing "her" to fit my personality. from the simple, (and my opion),and better upgrade to a 4bbl carb, dropping a 390 in to replace the 360, welding my own dual exhaust because the shop that did it for me ran one of the tubes so close to my c-6 tranny pan that it melted the gasket, and eventually the tranny needed 2 be replaced. i have installed a floor shifter from a '93 t-bird, installed p/s and p/brakes. there's just too much that i've done to try and sit and type.
out of all that, i just neglected to remember that "she" is 35yrs old and w/the exeption of flushing and changing gear oil, has never had the rear axle serviced!
WELL, tonight I just got finished pulling out the axle shafts and carrier, only to realize that i was missing the entire set of driver side bearings exept the actuall plastic ring the ball-bearings sat in. now i have to replace the axle shaft because the bearing race is cracked all the way around!

so if your just picking up one of these great, dependable, and way to much fun trucks. PLEASE... DON'T FORGET to service that 30 year old axle!

p.s. if u do service it, don't sweat it because it's pretty simple to do!

 

Thanks, good FYI.
Rear axle seems to be more over looked than most other things. A very good thing to check out for those with a big rebuild/custom truck in the works.

 

how many miles were on your truck?

 

my truck probably has close to 250k miles. i bought the truck when i was 15yrs old and it only had 82k original miles! that was 11yrs ago.

 

Now that`s motoring!

 

Good info, my 1st truck was a 70'. Good luck with her.

 

What, rear-ends have bearings in them? Who'da thunked it?
J/K

 

Yup I'm doing my 9" now. New bearings and seals. New pinion bearings, spool and a gear set. Oh and don't forget those wheel cylinders and the brake hose on top of the rear axle. Mine got ruptured and locked up the rear brakes one time. That's what prompted me to investigate. After almost filling my shorts!

 

i just got my 9" put back together, now i'm changing the u-joints and center bearing. don't forget to check the condition of yours!

 

Must be the season. Doing the bearings on my 9" today.

 

oh, but its a giving season, giving me a headache and busted knuckles...lol...
but as of right now my rokkie overlook is now FIXED!!!!!!! and the wheels roll like i have never seen them do before!
mabey i'll pick up a mile or two in mpg's