40 Rear Axle Wheel Bearing Races
 

How do you replace the rear wheel bearing race on the axle? Not the race in the hub but the other one on the axle itself. I noticed some very heavy pitting on one side. I am afraid a new bearing won't last. Can it be done without tearing the whole rear end apart?

Thanks, Phil Swanson

Re: 40 Rear Axle Wheel Bearing Races
 

If u use a grinder with a cutting wheel and cut down almost though. Then use a cold chisel with a good hit they usually split.
U can then slide it off.

Re: 40 Rear Axle Wheel Bearing Races
 

The original inner race is part of the axle housing itself. The only good repair is to have the housing bearing surface cut on a lathe and a new repair sleeve installed.

Re: 40 Rear Axle Wheel Bearing Races
 

What Fritzjr said x2. Axle housings have to come off.

Re: 40 Rear Axle Wheel Bearing Races
 

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Re: 40 Rear Axle Wheel Bearing Races
 

Can the axle be removed without tearing the whole 3rd member apart?

Re: 40 Rear Axle Wheel Bearing Races
 

Terminology ????
Are you talking about the axle "housing" race?

Re: 40 Rear Axle Wheel Bearing Races
 

If i'm understanding you correctly, the bearing surface is on the housing and not on the axle. If so you have to pull the housings from the third member, have them machined off and install new races. you don't have to pull the complete rear end, if it's a Bango rearend, you didn't specify which rear end you have . Good luck. Al

Re: 40 Rear Axle Wheel Bearing Races
 

I have the stock 40 Ford rear in my wagon. I am talking about the inner race that the rear wheel bearing rides on, not the one in the hub but the one on the axle. How can I remove that axle to change the race without tearing the whole rear end apart?

Re: 40 Rear Axle Wheel Bearing Races
 

Welcome to early Fords.
You have to take the whole rear end apart.
The axle housings have to be machined in a big lathe and new races installed.

Re: 40 Rear Axle Wheel Bearing Races
 

My apologies.
Original axle housing wheel bearing surfaces left and right from the factory, there are no races to remove.
If wore, each axle housing would need to be taken off the center housing and where the bearing rides would need to be turned down by a machinist to fit a new race.
I had assumed u knew (seen) there were removable races already on your housings.
Sorry for the confusion.

Re: 40 Rear Axle Wheel Bearing Races
 

This is one side of my 40 axle in my Willson lathe. It shows the original bearing material being machined off.

https://youtu.be/sk42aYMYKyk

Mart.

Re: 40 Rear Axle Wheel Bearing Races
 

A bit to add about these replacable race/sleeves.
I learned from John Connelly he sells a sleeve made of
E-52100 bearing steel that its hard all the way through and is O.D and I.D ground.
The axle housing gets less machined off. The I.D of his
race/sleeve is 1.813.
I've learned the sleeves we buy elsewhere are just case hardend and have a smaller I.D.
Something to consider if we need to have this sort of machining done. Why take more material off that area
if we don't need to.

Re: 40 Rear Axle Wheel Bearing Races
 

Rob would you have a contact forJohn Connelly?
Lawrie

Re: 40 Rear Axle Wheel Bearing Races
 

[email protected]
951-719-4077

Re: 40 Rear Axle Wheel Bearing Races
 

I think if this was changed to read "the one on the axle housing", it would have been clear from the start.

Re: 40 Rear Axle Wheel Bearing Races
 

you probably could just remove the outer bells in the car, but it would be no fun at all. much better to remove the whole rear so you can work on it in a comfortable place and its a good time to inspect the whole set up and replace seals. you would get off cheap if its all in good shape, good luck!

Re: 40 Rear Axle Wheel Bearing Races
 

Re: 40 Rear Axle Wheel Bearing Races
 

If I had to do all that, I would throw it away and install a Ford 9".

Thanks Phil Swanson

Re: 40 Rear Axle Wheel Bearing Races
 

I did say the one on the axle and not the one on the hub. Is that so hard to follow??? Dah!