Axle saver bearings. Any Experience ?

[DanielDudley]

Local guy quoted me 2,200.00 $ to replace the rear wheel bearings and axles on a 2006 GMC Sierra 1500. I'm thinking I could do this in a morning. I can get generic axles for much cheaper than the 600 each he quoted me, but I could also try to pull this off with axle saver bearings.

Somebody beat some sense into me one way or the other, Please and Thank you.

[GH85Carrera]

On my 1986 El Camino the rear end axles bearings were shot. I ended up with two new axles, after a set of axle bearing savers failed. It was nothing as expensive as 2 grand. But the El Camino is a car chassis and not a truck. That was after a couple of hundred thousand miles. I have 362,000 on it now.

[DanielDudley]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

On my 1986 El Camino the rear end axles bearings were shot. I ended up with two new axles, after a set of axle bearing savers failed. It was nothing as expensive as 2 grand. But the El Camino is a car chassis and not a truck. That was after a couple of hundred thousand miles. I have 362,000 on it now.

I'm inclined to go with new axles, but it is tempting. I would like to get at least 50K miles out of this repair.

[VincentVega]

fwiw you can get a complete reman rear axles, dif, housings... for ~1k. I cant remember doing this series before, but similar come out with a slide hammer. I would do it, might need to buy the right installation tool and/or end for the slide hammer. Also, dana axels are sub $100 too, several good options, assuming you arent pulling a house or offroading it.

[hcoles]

You might also need new speed sensors. I think those get broken during the axle or outer race part of the bearing removal. I'm curious how this goes if you DIY. I had the rear bearings inspected not long ago on my 2006 Tahoe and the guy showed me how the bearing surface on the axle was wearing across.

[hcoles]

I just watched the 1Aauto video and there was no mention of the speed sensor?
If you have the slide tool and seal installing tool it looks straight forward.
When I changed the fluid I used a Lubelocker seal so I didn't need any RTV.

[asphaltgambler]

It really all depends on how badly damaged the bearing surface on the axle is. I've done more than a few of those in the past. I remember only two instances where the surface diameter was 'worn down' where the bearing / axle saver fitted loosely - which obviously won't last.

The only way to know is to disassemble - look for yourself. It is in most cases a proper repair - my experience.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by VincentVega

fwiw you can get a complete reman rear axles, dif, housings... for ~1k.

This is what I was thinking.

When I was a kid and had a off road excursion in my mom's 68 Impala station wagon (racing) I bent up the rear axle pretty bad. Dad found a 12 bolt in a junk yard and had me install it.... by myself.

[Geoz1]

Axles are under $500. a pair. Check prices @ Moser, or Randy's ring and pinion. Used axles are also an option.

What caused the bearings to fail? Axle savers are usually a band aid.

[DanielDudley]

Thanks, Guys.

The truck has 248,000 miles on it, and I was driving quite a lot on twisty roads all Spring and Summer, I suspect that the gear oil was down. It has been slowly getting growly over the last few months. I just ordered axles bearings and seals today. If I tear it down and things don't look good in the pumpkin, I'll send all that back and locate a good used rear end.

[Geoz1]

Originally Posted by DanielDudley

Thanks, Guys.

The truck has 248,000 miles on it, and I was driving quite a lot on twisty roads all Spring and Summer, I suspect that the gear oil was down. It has been slowly getting growly over the last few months. I just ordered axles bearings and seals today. If I tear it down and things don't look good in the pumpkin, I'll send all that back and locate a good used rear end.

Pay back the re-stock fee, if you go that route.


A used rear will be around $250. depending where you live. LKQ, maybe higher. Not knowing the rear gear ratio (2or4wd). That differential is easily obtained, used with half the mileage.

I have a few stored that I would sell.

[Geoz1]

Also, the shop quote, is not out of line. If a issue occurs, he owns it. He is buying from his parts supplier. It will be fixed and returned, in a day or 2. You won't have to be down a vehicle, and waiting on shipping.

[DanielDudley]

Originally Posted by Geoz1

Also, the shop quote, is not out of line. If a issue occurs, he owns it. He is buying from his parts supplier. It will be fixed and returned, in a day or 2. You won't have to be down a vehicle, and waiting on shipping.

The six hundred an axle was what got me, since there are plenty of less expensive options.

There is more to it, but that is the basic issue.

[DanielDudley]

Originally Posted by Geoz1

Pay back the re-stock fee, if you go that route.


A used rear will be around $250. depending where you live. LKQ, maybe higher. Not knowing the rear gear ratio (2or4wd). That differential is easily obtained, used with half the mileage.

I have a few stored that I would sell.

I appreciate the offer, since it may come to that.

[unclebilly]

the bearings are under $20/side and the axles are under $150 per side

there is a website that rhymes with talkauto… but talk is rock...

just saying.

[berettafan]

wow that number seems crazy. are axles really that expensive?

[VincentVega]

dealer list, yes. labor is 2-3hrs depending on the rear.

As said aftermarket is much, much less.