Repaired Rear Axle Bearing?

1996 GMC SAFARI
178,000 MILES • 4.3L • V6 • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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TIM HUYNH
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Hi, how's it going? I bought a TIMKEN TRP57509 (repair rear axle bearing) and installed it. However, it can only go in as far as the stopper for the bearing seal allowed. There for it is only in approximately 1/1" - 3/8". Is this safe to put the axle shaft back in and operate the van?
May 18, 2025 at 6:34 PM
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STEVE W.
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The times I have used them you simply removed the stock bearing and race and tapped the repair bearing into place with it bottomed out in the housing and installed the axle after cleaning it. The idea is that the repair bearing now rides on the undamaged area of the axle. It should have an integral outer seal. As long as the outer seal on the bearing is against the bearing stop in the housing so it still rides on the machined area on the shaft it should be okay.

This is a good SKF video on the issue: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSNwaBBuv98
May 18, 2025 at 11:03 PM