Wait. You mean I could simply change out the rubber casing and leave the bearing in place?

 

No the sway bearing isn't pressed on hard; it's snug, but not a high pressure one. Think of the transmission extension house bushing and your front driveshaft; it's a snug fit, but not something that requires a 20ton press to apply.

And no, I would not swap out JUST the rubber casing; I'd do both.

RwP

 

Hmmmm, I was always under the impression that the bearing was pressed on and would take a press to remove and replace it unless you go barbarian and hack n wack with chisels, angle grinder, hammers, and torches.

 

They likely are a light press-fit, but, after having been on there for a couple decades, they tend to 'become one' with the shaft they are mounted on. A press is definitely the easiest method of removal.

For those in the Southern Michigan region, I have a press out in the garage, and will happily help out.

 

That surely would not surprise me. If I ever had the need to remove/replace that bearing I'm sure I could find someone around here who had the press to do it if necessary. That or take a trip to So. Michigan.

 

Heh.

The only vehicle I had before with a sway bearing? It self-disassembled on me (at about 35MPH!).

It was my 1963 Biscayne. I still think that, as a car, it was one of the best ones I've ever had. 250ci straight six, three on the tree, and lots of room inside.

But eh.

RwP

 

I watched a guy in his jeep, with brand new, 'heavy duty' driveshafts, climbing a slight hill, and the front of the rear driveshaft let go. The jeep pogo-sticked on the rear shaft, and immediately stopped going up the hill...... The racket it made was horrid, and it beat the crap out of everything within reach under the jeep...... The company that made the shaft, sent him a new one, but, wouldn't do anything for all the rest of the damage.

Bad casting. The 'ears' around the front u-joint essentially shattered.

 

The fun part was, that was a one year only set.

But the front was identical with either a 62 or 64 Chevy; and the back the other year; so I was able to piece them.

(It was helped that the Biscayne had GM's X frame design, instead of the more traditional ladder frame.)

See Automotive History: An X-Ray Look At GM’s X-Frame (1957 – 1970) | Curbside Classic for a discussion of it.

RwP

 

So I crawled back under and tried clamping the leaky ends and re-greasing. Made no difference. So I just did the other thing Ralph suggested. Grease n rotate, grease n rotate, grease n rotate. Hope I don't get censored for that. Anyway, it is what it is. If it works, great. If it doesn't then I change them again. I aint gonna worry about it.

Thanks again, Fellas.