RESTORATION
AXLE BEARING R&R
Replacing the rear-wheel bearings in our regularly driven ’86 GT, and
determining the right axle ratio and speedometer gears
story and photography by Huw Evans
W
e’ve already covered a detailed rearend rebuild in
FOX Mustang Magazine Issue 5, which included
servicing the differential. However, for many of
us, the only time we pay attention to the axle is when we’re
looking at installing a steeper set of gears. As a result, items
such as the bearings and seals often get forgotten about.
These are regular wear items and over time, deteriorate.
At best, the result is an annoying howl coming from the
rearend when driving down the road; at worst, well, damage
to the axles and even the differential. Especially if you’ve
just forked out the bucks for set of brand-new 3.55s, worn
bearings can make your fun very short lived.
56 FOXMustangMagazine.com
Replacing the rear-wheel bearings on a Fox Mustang
isn’t difficult, and at around $30 for a new wheel bearing
and seal for each side, plus approximately $40 for new
gear lube, it’s pretty cheap insurance all things considered.
Although the process is fairly straightforward, you need to
make sure you have the right tools before beginning the
job. Of notable importance are a bearing puller kit and a
seal and race driver kit. Armed with these, the entire job
shouldn’t take more than a couple of hours, especially after
we show you how. We’re replacing the outer bearings on
a typical 8.8-inch rearend found in stock ’86-’93 Mustang
GTs and 5.0 LXs.