hello;

ok, so since newer rearend fell thru, guess its time to fix mine...
is the rearend in a '97 1/2t 4x4 like a chevy in the fact that one pulls the rear diff cover, pulls the pin, and the axles are held in by c-clips, pull those and the axle comes out but the axle bearings are friction-fit into the housing ends, or are the axle bearings machine-pressed on the axles requiring those to be pressed off and new ones pressed on by a machine shop...

thanks for the info.

 

They aren't "pressed" in but they are a tight interference fit, you'll need a slide hammer or bearing puller tool for the job. You can also remove the carrier and slide a long piece of tubing through each side and hammer them out from the inside. A simple large socket, piece of tubing or bearing driver is used to drive the new bearings in.

 

ok, this sounds very much like a gm deal then...
on that same note, i'm sure that part of the axle wears more...gm makes and sells an offset bearing that then runs on a different part of the axle shaft so one doesn't havta buy a new axle if it has wear, does dodge also have this, do u know?

thanks.

 

Nope, no offset bearings.
You need to buy new or good shaft.
What R U rebuilding? Rear end? or Front?
Bearings only? Gears? Lockers?

 

Not just a GM deal, common in many semi-float axles.

 

only meant 'gm deal' as i have done those before and have seen others where bearing is pressed on axle and bolted to housing...didn't mean to offend.

i am gonna try outer axle bearings first...when jacked up, rear axles turn, for the lack of a better term, 'freely', meaning not noisy...when on the ground, sounds like drum is rubbing on back plate, yet no tell-tale sign on backplate, so am *assuming* either the axle bearing is noisy or the axle is worn.