Rear wheel bearing, replace axle?

[OR VietVet]

@OR VietVet
I had the wheels off a couple of months ago when dealing with a frozen parking brake cable. It has something like 350-400000 km which translates to about 250000 mi.

You say I put the wheels on and drove it anyway. That is my fact of life here, unfortunately. Living in Canada, I have to order parts and have them delivered to a parcel pickup in the US. Then I have to go and pick them up. Returning parts like that is a real pain, and often I just keep the parts, even core returns.

Obviously, pitting and gouging is not good and requires replacement. My question was really related to the chances it would be at this stage after these many years. I'm beginning to think it's time to replace the axles anyway.

@Larryjb, your explanation of the logistics was not explained to begin with so my recommendations was based on the info you supplied. If you look at my build thread, you will see what I did to my 2005 Z71 as far as making the decision to keep my truck and I put money in to wear parts and parts/components/systems that I knew would eventually need to be addressed. I knew I was gonna retire soon and wanted to use my wages as a bank roll replace these already working parts. IMO, with your logistics concerns, while you have things apart, replace the axles with good quality parts, with knowing that you are keeping the vehicle. If you are on the fence about keeping, then do not replace axles, unless of course you have to. I do see that you are in Canada, in your signature, but I had no idea of the logistics problems.

 

[Larryjb]

@OR VietVet Actually, logistics are not bad for me considering I'm in Canada. At least I can have parts shipped to a parcel drop in Blaine which often saves me extra taxes and duty. If I have parts shipped directly to Canada from Rockauto, they charge me everything including duty.

 

[OR VietVet]

IMO, my answers are based on whether you are keeping the truck.

 

[swathdiver]

How many of you had to replace the axle with the wheel bearing?

I don't want the truck to be down for longer than necessary. However, if all I need to replace is the wheel bearing, the cost will be reasonably cheap. The most expensive part will the the diff fluid. But, if I get it apart and find galling on the race, I'll have to replace the axle anyway, which will more than double the cost of the repair.

Any thoughts?

Larry, GM makes a bearing that uses a different part of the axle shaft to ride on. As you can see it comes with an integrated seal.

RP513067 or 19340164:

 

[OR VietVet]

Larry, GM makes a bearing that uses a different part of the axle shaft to ride on. As you can see it comes with an integrated seal.

RP513067 or 19340164:
View attachment 424337View attachment 424338

Yep, I have used these. When you get the old seals and bearings out, these are a breeze to install. Like @swathdiver said, it moves the bearing location to a different spot on the axle. It is a money saver and works well.

 

[Larryjb]

Larry, GM makes a bearing that uses a different part of the axle shaft to ride on. As you can see it comes with an integrated seal.

RP513067 or 19340164:
View attachment 424337View attachment 424338

I heard about those before, but didn't realize they were available for the Tahoe. I'll wait until summer when I have some time, then pull the axles and see what they look like.

 

[Doubeleive]

I heard about those before, but didn't realize they were available for the Tahoe. I'll wait until summer when I have some time, then pull the axles and see what they look like.

at 250k your chances might be 50/50 that replacing just the bearing and seal alone will work. replacing the axle add's another $150 (each) parts cost "roughly" I guess that would depend on where you shop.

 

[OR VietVet]

With these "axle saver" bearing/seal parts, it is important that they are a nice smooth tight fit when installed.

 

[Larryjb]

With these "axle saver" bearing/seal parts, it is important that they are a nice smooth tight fit when installed.

How would this requirement be any different from installing a regular bearing? I would think any bearing should be a smooth tight fit.

 

[OR VietVet]

How would this requirement be any different from installing a regular bearing? I would think any bearing should be a smooth tight fit.

It is not different. Sometimes people remove old with wrong tools or wrong way and then booger up the axle tube or the tube itself is enlarged a little over time from a bad bearing. This part is not a fix all. It is to relocate a bearing surface, that is it.