71 F100 - Rear Wheel Bearings

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Feb 6, 2015 | 11:43 AM

Corkwheats

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Mountain Pass

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From: U.P. Of Michigan

71 F100 - Rear Wheel Bearings

Hey Guys,
I have some serious leakage from my rear axle seals.
My mechanic says we should replace the seals, wheel bearings, and then the rear drum brakes.
What is the top of the line wheel bearings & seals that I can get for this truck?

Thanks,
Bob

Feb 6, 2015 | 11:57 AM

JEFFFAFA

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Joined: Mar 2013

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From: Phoenix, Az.

There is also a retainer collar that presses on the axle shaft to hold the bearing on. If you give me the axle tag number off yours I can look to see which bearing it takes. Ultraranger went through an escapade recently on his thread.

Feb 6, 2015 | 04:28 PM

ultraranger

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From: El Dorado, Arkansas

Most F100 Bumpsides had Ford 9-inch rear ends. Some had Dana 44 rears. Some ('68-'72) had 9-3/8" rear ends with 31-spline axles --and as I found out more recently, the 9-3/8" rear ends could have TWO different 31-spline axles.

One with a 1-5/8" I.D. by 3-9/64" O.D. axle bearing (3,600 lb axle and Traction-Lok differential) or one with a 1-17/32" I.D. by 3-9/64" O.D. axle bearing (3,300 lb axle with an open differential).

I have a '69 F100 that had 28 spline axles but I converted it to 31-spline axles from a 9-3/8" (open differential) rear end when I installed a Ford 9-inch N-case 3rd member with a 31-spline Traction-Lok differential. The axle bearings are 3-9/64" O.D. by 1-17/32" I.D. (for a 3,300 lb axle).

I got the axle bearings and seals for my setup from NAPA. The bearings were regularly $60-something each but, they gave me a discount which made them $48.00 each.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post15054362

Feb 6, 2015 | 05:41 PM

351Cleveland C4

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From: On the Edge of the Desert

I bought NATIONAL bearings and seals from oreillys.

Feb 6, 2015 | 08:33 PM

ultraranger

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From: El Dorado, Arkansas

Quote:

Originally Posted by 351Cleveland C4

I bought NATIONAL bearings and seals from oreillys.

That's what I had put on my 28-spline axles nearly four years ago, when I went through the brakes, bearings and seals at all four corners.

The (SKF) axle bearings I just recently bought through NAPA are the same size for my 31-spline axles as what fit my 28-spline axles.

I didn't have any problems out of the National bearings during the time I ran them but, the more expensive SKF bearings I just got are a much better quality than what I had.

The bearing retainer rings are also about twice as wide (beefier) than the rings that came with the National bearings. --They would have nearly twice the surface area and grip on the axle, compared to the rings of the National bearing set I had.

Feb 6, 2015 | 09:02 PM

351Cleveland C4

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From: On the Edge of the Desert

Well that's what I got, and I'm running them. I guess I'll find out if I ever have to change them again.

So far I've loaded them up heavy and gone down the highway once. I'm sure it will happen many more times in the next 40 years.

Feb 10, 2015 | 06:35 PM

Corkwheats

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Mountain Pass

Joined: Nov 2012

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From: U.P. Of Michigan

Thanks so much, guys. I like the sound of the heavy duty SKF.
I do quite a bit of towing/hauling here on the farm.
My 71 Pick Up has a 9" Rear End, with a 28 Spline.
I would give the tag info on the rear end, but believe it, or not - it's incorrect (not the right one).
This Spring all this is going to get done. Then, we put in the 3.5 to 1 ring & pinion!

Thanks,
Bob