I have a 95 Blazer 4X4 that the rear axle bearings are in need of replacement. I was wondering if anyone has used the repair bearings instead of the oem or aftermarket regular bearings? They say they move over to a new spot on the axle and ride. Good or bad?
Whats your opinions?

gmpm5754

Are your axles damaged? If not, just go with the normal bearings. They are only about $10 each. You will need seals, too. The repair bearings are $25. (They shouldn't be called repair bearings, it is misleading. They don't repair anything, they should call them offset bearings) The repair bearings are not made as well as the normal ones and should only be used if necessary.

I don't know if the axles are worn or not. I figured that 145,000 miles has to wear the axle some and thought I would use the offset bearings instead. Does anyone know what the specs of the axle need to be between. I could mic it and see if it is still within specs.
Thanks,

GMPM5754

I don't remember the specs, (I put a mic on mine last week). The bearing only runs on a narrow section of the axle, so you will be able to easily see if it is worn. I replaced mine last week. (143,000) One side had no wear. They other side had a groove cut into it (seal went out). I put a normal bearing and seal on the good side and I tried one of the repair bearings on the other. The repair bearing came apart and destroyed my axle. The only thig holding the bearings in (and out of your diff.) is a small clip.

Well the left side axle looked fine, I replaced with the oem bearing and seal but the right axle was badly pitted. I put a BCA repair bearing in that side. I don't like the way the bearing sticks out the end of the axle tube but at 9:00 at night I didn't have a choice. I will try and find me a good shaft and change it back out later. Just thought I would update my situation.

gmpm5754

Same thing here. I was going to get the BCA repair bearing, but Advance Auto didn't stock it, so I had to go with the cheaper Motor City. I hope you have better luck than I did. Watch the backside of the tire and you will probably be able to see gear oil leaking if it starts to go bad. Don't get one of the replacement axles from SummitRacing.com, they say that they are direct fit, but they are the wrong size.

I used one of those Bearing repairs on an Oldsmobile one time and regretted it. The offset bearing repair failed later on a mountain road 30 miles from the nearest shop on a holiday week end. DON'T USE THEM. Spend the extra $ and fix it right!

Well I found out that 88 to 97 4x4's use the same rear axle shafts. I found a complete rear axle in a 1994 Olds Bravada for 90.00 us. I ran the vin and found it has a posi and 3.73 gears(mine is 3.42). I am going to change the right axle shaft and put the factory bearing back in of course, but my question is, if I change my carrier with the posi unit and put my gear/ring on the posi unit(the one on it is a 3.73, mine a 3.42) do I have to have the rear end setup again or will it be ok? I was hoping to be able to do it at home and not have a shop do it.