So I got my new housing for my rebuild I'm doing and I didnt notice at first but then later I saw a rubber seal at each end inside the bearing housings. I ASSUMED this was the axle seals so I bought a seal puller and then quickly realized that maybe these aren't the axle seals. They are pretty thin and shaped to seat towards the center(if that makes any sense) and have a small spring on the inside (looks exactly like a woman's hair scrunchy). I think I may have screwed it up becuase the spring fell out the oneside. Anyone know what these are?I think I should figure out how to get that spring back in and leave them alone...

I was confused becuase I thought it went axle retainer,bearing, seal---not retainer, seal, bearing..

Ill get pictures if need be, but I think the spring should be a giveaway?
Nic

 

What you are describing IS the axle seal. It presses into the axle tube.

 

Wouldnt that seal the oil away from the bearings, and burn them up?

 

It does seal the oil away from the bearings. They are not lubricated by gear lube. They are the sealed lifetime lubricated type.

 

Ok, sealed bearings, thats what I told my dad but he didn't think it would be that style in the 60's...

Hmm, so what should I do...tear them out and try to find a shop to press new ones in, or try to fit that spring back in(if possible)and leave them alone? They look in decent shape

 

Bump...

I found some help on another forum aswell and now I understand whats going on lol. I tried popping them out but these ****'s are in there good. Any suggestion? I have the 10" seal puller tool but its like pushing a brick wall. I did get the metal rim of the seal to dent up in one spot, but thats it...