Due to my recent rear brake lock-up incident, I think I cooked a wheel bearing. I see a good amount of oil or grease or something leaking out from behind the retainer and the bearing is getting pretty warm during normal driving. Much warmer than the other side so I think I'm going to do the bearings and seals.

I guess I'm a little confused about the process for doing this. My axle is a large bearing. Do I need any special tools to pull the bearings/seals besides a seal puller? I know the bearings and retainers have to be pressed off/on. Does anyone have a recommendation for a shop on the south side of Denver that would do that? I don't have room for a press unfortunately and I'd rather not risk marring the axle cutting off the old collar. How do those bearings get lubricated? Grease or gear oil from the diff? There seems to be some debate about that. From my research it looks like diff->seal->collar->bearing->retainer->wheel so I guess that would mean they have to be greased. Any input is appreciated. Thanks!

You remove the axle by unbolting the retainer plate that is bolted to the axle flange through the brake backing plate. Simply rotate the axle so that the hole in the axle flange lines up with the nut so you can remove it and move on to the other 3.

An OEM bearing gets kubricated from the gear oil in the axle tube. Same oil lubricating the differential. Some people replace the OEM bearing with a sealed for life bearing which has grease in it.

If you want a great shop on south side try Town Center Auto which is in highlands ranch / Littleton. South of 470 west of Santa Fe behind Orielly. Ask for Don.

Thanks guys. So aftermarket tapered bearings, which seem to be the better option, eliminate the seal behind the bearing? Is there a front seal for either bearing type that sits between the axle retainer plate and the bearing? Sorry just trying to get a handle on what this process is like before I tear the Bronco apart...again.

Also, I'll check out Town Center Auto. Thanks!

Yes the tapered bearing uses a seal between the bearing and the retainer. You also need to remove the original seal in the tube so the bearing gets oil.

Great I think I'm going to that route.

You guys can correct me if I'm wrong, but since he has a '66 he probably has a small bearing rear axle. I think he has to utilize the sealed bearing with the outer seals.

*Edit* Nevermind...I just noticed he said he had a large bearing. Don't mind me, I guess I can't read.

The heavy duty axle was available even on the early '66 roadsters. Casadejohnson has one on his.

Me too!

Yeah it's for sure large bearing. 11 inch brake drum and I can see the larger bearing housing where the axle housing meets the backing plate.

I'm in Lakewood and have a press.

Thanks Justin! I called the Bronco Hut today and sounds like Melissa has some bearings in stock and she said they will press them on if we bring the axles down (awesome customer service!) so I'm gonna head down there as soon as I pull the axles, but if something doesn't work out, I might hit you up.

THEREs a guy who works in Englewood who presses wheel Bearings for $20 I have his number. call me if you want 720-409-7913

When I rebuilt my rear diff, I cut off the bearings with a die grinder. The first one’s a lil’ scary because you’ve never done it before . After that it’s no biggie. Just like building a POSI unit and diff.