Bearings

Inspect
- Bearings visually and by feel.
- The bearings should feel smooth when oiled and rotated while applying as much hand pressure as possible.
- The large end of the bearing rollers for wear. This is where tapered roller bearing wear is most evident.
- Bearing cups for wear, cracks, brinelling, and scoring.
- Bearings and cups are replaced only as sets.
- If the axle was operated for an extended period of time with very loose bearings, the ring gear and drive pinion will also require replacement.
- Low mileage bearings may have very small scratches and pits on the rollers and bearing cups from the initial preload. Do not replace a bearing for this reason.
- Bearing caps for cracks or chips.