In theory and according to Rootes shop manual the trick is to keep the bearing loaded and aligned or you will destroy the bearing. I did not note anything in the way of damage so reused the bearing. Pounded the sucker back in and reassembled all of it.
I did this one side job because of a bit of oil streaking the wheel from the hub retaining nut. No oil in the brakes but it was not going to get better by itself.
Turned out the inner seal was major toast and the bearing area between the seals was flooded with gear lube. The outer seal was holding back the flood admirably but the gear lube was (in minute quantity) sneaking out along the axle taper and key way through hub. This showed up most when driven hard on the track. Hot oil and lots of lateral G.
Rick
Well, I decided to leave well enough alone. Once I got the hubs off, I tried to get the axle shafts out, using the method proscribed in the shop manual, like Duke's picture. They wouldn't budge.
In what I could see of the bearings, they looked fine and no gear oil leaking. So, I used my finger to stuff some grease in the bearings, then put it all back together. Don't know if I got any grease in there, but I feel better.
I will leave replacement of the bearings for another day since they seem serviceable for now.
Thanks, Bill
