2011 Tahoe/Real axle bearings Timken versus stock

[draper11]

I ordered Timken for my 2011 Tahoe LT off of Sixity auto. Different bearing depth with small built in seal versus stock bearing with separate stock seal. Im
Sending these back and going back with the stock arrangement. 220K mile preventive maintenance. Replacing tone rings while im in there.

 

[Miami-Dade]

@draper11 Moved you here from 2021 section.
Welcome from Miami!

 

[Doubeleive]

must be nice to have a press, good luck finding the correct bearings...
the rest of us just buy the whole unit

 

[Geotrash]

I ordered Timken for my 2011 Tahoe LT off of Sixity auto. Different bearing depth with small built in seal versus stock bearing with separate stock seal. Im
Sending these back and going back with the stock arrangement. 220K mile preventive maintenance. Replacing tone rings while im in there.

Never a bad idea but I’ve seen the originals go 400K+

 

[Sgt__Z]

I have to replace my rear axle seals on both sides. I was advised to replace the bearings too b/c I am going through the initial trouble. How easy/hard was it to remove the bearings as well? Anyone who views this please assist. I am trying to find a video of someone replacing the seal and bearing but I am only finding reference to the Silverado. I don't know if they are the same or not. Plus, did you lube the bearings and seal before your install and what did you use?

Chevy Tahoe 2011 SSV
4x4

 

[swathdiver]

I ordered Timken for my 2011 Tahoe LT off of Sixity auto. Different bearing depth with small built in seal versus stock bearing with separate stock seal. Im
Sending these back and going back with the stock arrangement. 220K mile preventive maintenance. Replacing tone rings while im in there.

Factory bearings are Timken or Koyo. What you are seeing is a repair bearing and seal unit used when the wear surface of the axle shaft is damaged. They move the bearing to a new position.

I have to replace my rear axle seals on both sides. I was advised to replace the bearings too b/c I am going through the initial trouble. How easy/hard was it to remove the bearings as well? Anyone who views this please assist. I am trying to find a video of someone replacing the seal and bearing but I am only finding reference to the Silverado. I don't know if they are the same or not. Plus, did you lube the bearings and seal before your install and what did you use?

Chevy Tahoe 2011 SSV
4x4

With the right tools it's easy. With the wrong tools you'll wreck the tone rings at the least.



The J-45857 and slide hammer is the best way to get these parts out without damaging the other. I also bought the Performance Tool W89326 and coupled with a commercial slide hammer set pulled the bearings but ruined the tone rings. It barely fit but it did the job.

The inside diameter of the axle tube is graduated so that you cannot put the tone rings in too deep. I used the J-45860 but you could get by with a large socket. Same with the J-23690. The seals could be installed with a 2x4 or very light taps of a hammer. I've done it both ways over the years.

You can save a lot of money by buying the parts in the AAM brand, the people that made the axle. 74050011 for the 8.6" Axle and 74050013 for the 9.5" Axle -

GM 9.5 Rear Axle Bearing Kit w/VSES 2007+ Sierra Silverado Chevy Suburban Tahoe Yukon | C&M Gearworks

The axle tubes are the same for all of the GMT900 1500s. So yes, videos of Yukons, Sierras, Silverados, all the same.

 

[Foggy]

Factory bearings are Timken or Koyo. What you are seeing is a repair bearing and seal unit used when the wear surface of the axle shaft is damaged. They move the bearing to a new position.



With the right tools it's easy. With the wrong tools you'll wreck the tone rings at the least.

View attachment 447981

The J-45857 and slide hammer is the best way to get these parts out without damaging the other. I also bought the Performance Tool W89326 and coupled with a commercial slide hammer set pulled the bearings but ruined the tone rings. It barely fit but it did the job.

The inside diameter of the axle tube is graduated so that you cannot put the tone rings in too deep. I used the J-45860 but you could get by with a large socket. Same with the J-23690. The seals could be installed with a 2x4 or very light taps of a hammer. I've done it both ways over the years.

You can save a lot of money by buying the parts in the AAM brand, the people that made the axle. 74050013 -

GM 9.5 Rear Axle Bearing Kit w/VSES 2007+ Sierra Silverado Chevy Suburban Tahoe Yukon | C&M Gearworks

View attachment 447982

The axle tubes are the same for all of the GMT900 1500s. So yes, videos of Yukons, Sierras, Silverados, all the same.

Is this kit only for the 9.5" (2wd rear) or the AWD 8.6".... maybe the same IDK?

 

[rdezs]

My 2014 all wheel drive Escalade has the 9.5 inch 14 bolt rear differential. The 8.5 in uses different bearings and seals. You might want to get under there and take a look at what you have so you get the right parts. Koyo bearings were OEM on the 9.5 in.... And come in the kit from AAM. (They build the axle assembly for GM)

At 168,000 mi, I had some excessive end play in the axles. The cause turned out to be the c-clips that retain the axles. Those come in the AAM kit by the way, along with the koyo bearings.

To pull the bearing without damaging the tone ring, I picked up a set of blind hole bearing pullers. One was slightly too large, turned it down on the lathe to just the right size. 5 lb slide hammer pulled it out easy enough.

The where on the seat clips was quite visible. Here's a new one from the kit next to the old one


The groove from the seal can be cleaned up. However at a set of new axles from Spicer, so went ahead and installed them


I tend to go a little Overkill, taking care of things while I'm in there.... But it's all done and ready for another 168,000 miles. Next time maybe I'll just replace those c clips and save some money

 

[swathdiver]

Is this kit only for the 9.5" (2wd rear) or the AWD 8.6".... maybe the same IDK?

Good catch, Thanks! The 8.6" kit is 74050011 and the only difference is the C-clips.

Wheel seals and bearings and tone rings are the same between the 8.6" 10-Bolt and 9.5" 14-Bolt Saginaw axles.

 

[rdezs]

Are you sure the bearings are the same? I would double check, as there's a couple different flavors of the 9.5 semi-floating axle with the 14 bolt cover. I have the same differential on my Hummer H2... And the axle bearings are quite a bit larger in diameter. The seal is larger as well. RockAuto also shows different part numbers for the 8.5 in versus the 9.5 in

You need to order the correct bearings per the RPO code