Just wondering if anyone knows whats involved in replacing the rear wheel bearings in a 1997 Blazer LT 4x4.. Any comments or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks,Skoot

 

1. Put the rear end on jack stands and take rear tires off down to the brakes..
2. Remove rear differential cover to drain fluid.
3. Remove clips from axles (push axles towards middle of diff to get clips off).
4. Remove axles
5. Remove seals from backing plates
6. Reinstall in reverse order...

This is the simplistic version...does not cover every aspect of the process. But that is what is involved...

 

Thanks for the advice.... I was unsure about how those axles freed up.. just pushing them inboard will release the clips that hold them?..... will the clips go back onto the axleswhen reinstalled?

 

Well when you reinstall the axles after replacing the seals just make sure you push them in far enough to put the clips back on...

 

Just to add to 20Blazer00's post, a couple of details.
In order to push in the axles and remove the clips you 1st have to remove the 8mm lock bolt and slide out the pinion shaft.
The pinion shaft is in there so that the axle shafts can't go in by themselves or the clips would fall out.
After you pull out the pinion shaft, you will probably want to rotate the diff a little for better access to the clips.
Turn the driveshaft so that the all the gears stay lined up. do not turn one axle at a time or you may drop a shim from behind one of the spider gears.
Put a little grease on the lip of the seal after you install it to help protect it when you re install the axle.


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