How to Change a Bearing in a Rockwell Rear End

Rockwell is a manufacturing company that specializes in making rear axles and other rear suspension parts for cars and trucks. The bearings, also known as wheel bearings, in a Rockwell rear end are responsible for balance and allowing the wheel to spin freely. There are signs that the Rockwell wheel bearings are going bad. These symptoms include a grinding sound or a metallic screech. It takes about two hours to repair the rear wheel bearings on a Rockwell rear end.

Lug wrench
Floor jack
Jack stands
Flat-head screwdriver
Mallet
Socket set
Rockwell wheel bearing kit

Instructions

- 1
  Jack up the rear end of the vehicle, slide jack stands underneath the rear frame and then set the vehicle down on the jack stands.
- 2
  Remove the lug nuts and wheel on the side where the bearings will be changed with a lug wrench.
- 3
  Slide the drum off the rear wheel. Use a flat-head screwdriver and a rubber mallet to tap it off if it won't come off easily.
- 4
  Pry off the center hub grease cap and then use the socket set to remove the hub retaining nut. Once the hub retaining nut is off, remove the thrust washer to expose the old wheel bearing. Slide the old bearing by hand.
- 5
  Put the new Rockwell bearing on followed by a fresh thrust bearing from the kit and then replace the hub retaining nut. Tighten the hub retaining nut with the socket set.
- 6
  Place a small amount of grease around the inner edge of the new center hub grease cap from the kit and then tap it onto the end of the spindle with the mallet.
- 7
  Slide the drum back on and the tire and wheel. Screw the lug nuts on by hand, tightening them as much as possible.
- 8
  Jack the vehicle up and remove the jack stands. Lower the vehicle and then tighten the lug nuts completely with the lug wrench.

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