Uh Ohh... Rear wheel bearings replacement

[truckguy]

Mystery solved - the plastic ring is part of the ABS wheel speed sensor tone ring GM 1528-6385. It appears it has separated and the plastic ring came out with the seal and bearings.
I assume I can replace the tone ring by removing the parking brake, dust cover, etc?
TIA

 

[swathdiver]

There are special installation tools to seat these at the right depth. The one for the tone ring is kinda hard to get and those who sell them on ebay sell them for $150-200.

The seal and bearing also have special tools to seat them at the proper depth and they are nowhere near as expensive.

Double check that number against your VIN at GMPartsGiant or ACDelco's website. I came up with 15286384 on a generic search.

 

[truckguy]

Yep, that's the part number the Chevy dealer gave me. Looking at some other posts it appears this tone ring failure is not all that uncommon.
I'm trying to figure out a way to get the remaining parts of the tone ring out. The cylinder with the splines has separated from the larger part (and hence where the plastic ring came from). The larger cylinder part is still pressed into the tubing....Thoughts and Thank you!

 

[Sam Harris]

I haven't tried the other side, the passenger side was the only side leaking and I hadn't decided to do both sides yet. I did wiggle and push it back in the 1/4' or so that it came out...I also just tried to put the pin back in the differential and it'll only go 1 3/4" back in.....I was afraid maybe I wiggled something out of alignment in the diff gear when yanking/wiggling it...

I’d definitely do both sides while you’re getting after it..

 

[swathdiver]

Yep, that's the part number the Chevy dealer gave me. Looking at some other posts it appears this tone ring failure is not all that uncommon.
I'm trying to figure out a way to get the remaining parts of the tone ring out. The cylinder with the splines has separated from the larger part (and hence where the plastic ring came from). The larger cylinder part is still pressed into the tubing....Thoughts and Thank you!

J-45857 is the tool used to remove the tone ring and bearings from these axles. The Performance Tool version is about $40 and will that right out with a slide hammer.

The Harbor Freight Maddox slide hammer connects to it and others like the GM slide hammer.

I can't remember the last time I heard of one failing on its own.

 

[truckguy]

Not sure what happened or went on with it. I had a hum, figured it was wheel bearings. When I spun the pass tire, I heard click, click, click and assumed it was that side. Looking at how it's constructed and where it sits, I can't imagine I yanked part of it out with the bearing and seal, but anything is possible I guess. At that point, I had no options, it needed to come out in pieces...

I have it out at this point, it's aluminum housing, and it's out. Don't ask me how...

Now waiting on parts...Tmken bearings, acdelco tone ring, Timken seal...

 

[truckguy]

I’d definitely do both sides while you’re getting after it..

I had such fun on the pass side, I'm not sure I have the heart for the driver side....but we'll see. The pass side bearing looked to be in great shape. I know that doesn't mean the drivers side is, but...Truck has 175k on it, very little towing...

 

[truckguy]

View attachment 395748

There are special installation tools to seat these at the right depth. The one for the tone ring is kinda hard to get and those who sell them on ebay sell them for $150-200.

The seal and bearing also have special tools to seat them at the proper depth and they are nowhere near as expensive.

Double check that number against your VIN at GMPartsGiant or ACDelco's website. I came up with 15286384 on a generic search.

That's good info, apprec that. But, it does make it harder..... I have measured the depth the tone ring needs to go in. Will I damage it using anything but the specialty tool or anyone know of any shop that rents these special tools?
I didn't measure the bearing depth, so that will be an issue unless someone can provide it?
Thanks for the help.

 

[swathdiver]

That's good info, apprec that. But, it does make it harder..... I have measured the depth the tone ring needs to go in. Will I damage it using anything but the specialty tool or anyone know of any shop that rents these special tools?
I didn't measure the bearing depth, so that will be an issue unless someone can provide it?
Thanks for the help.

I don't know. I've been slowly collecting the tools for my axle project and that is the last one that I need. I reckon a socket could be used if you know the proper depth to seat it at.

 

[truckguy]

I don't know. I've been slowly collecting the tools for my axle project and that is the last one that I need. I reckon a socket could be used if you know the proper depth to seat it at.

Ok, I may have a go at it.

Those some specialty tools are expensive! I may call around to the mobile mechanics in town. I hate to do that as it takes away from the satisfaction of DIY, but I don't want to seat at the wrong depth for the bearing. After this, I may stick to fluids and brakes.......I've done a fair amount of maintenance on this vehicle lately (brakes/fluids/disable AFM/belts/ujoints) but I'm leaning to getting a newer vehicle at this point, yet, I don't want to just slap it together just to sell either. Thanks guys