'12 Jeep Wrangler: Rear Axle Bearings, Seals & Backing Plates

In this video I have a customer request to replace both rear axle seals, backing plates, parking brake shoes and wheel bearings along with a few new speed sensors. It's an easy job so let's get after it!
-Enjoy!
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Disclaimer:
Due to factors beyond the control of South Main Auto Repair, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information, or improper use of this information. South Main Auto Repair assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. South Main Auto Repair recommends safe practices when working with power tools, automotive lifts, lifting tools, jack stands, electrical equipment, blunt instruments, chemicals, lubricants, or any other tools or equipment seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of South Main Auto Repair, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained.

[@kenmohler4081]

You sure know how to have a good time, Eric. Flame, Smoke, Loud Noises, and Brake Cleaner! It just don’t get no better!

[@mikeafa1]

You forgot about Andy stopping by. Lol

[@kenmohler4081]

That, too.

[@mod_incllc3235]

Always love an Andy appearance! Yucking it up for the camera.

[@TheJmich2001]

KZbin automobile repair shop videos really dont get any better than this sir. I feel you are one of the pioneers of the medium. Just your motto of ' if I can do it, you can do it' has instilled confidence in countless viewers who have taken your advice. Me included. Thank you for letting us look over your shoulder all these years and allowing us into your home. I am very proud to have met you and shake your hand and add to the ice cream fund whilst dealing with family issues in your county.. You live in one of the most beautiful places on God's green earth. If I could nominate you and yours for a Nobel Prize in Humanity, I would. Thank you.......NJ

[@cobaltt88]

His Motto is ...."DEEZZZ NUTS" ( in a high pitch voice ) Get it straight.

[@Big_Loo]

Your customer is someone who knows how to do things but also knows their limit. That's a good thing.

[@brandonmckinney5950]

Eric, my brother-in-law got me hooked on this show of yours. The best way to spend 30-45 minutes that I know of. I have been an aircraft maintenance tech since 1979...and no- one has ever given better advice that what I hear from you. I especially like how you mix troubleshooting videos and straight mechanical videos. Thank you! p.s. Those that like to nit pick on some of your methods, well good luck to them.

[@SouthMainAuto]

Thanks man 👍🏼 Means a lot

[@mod_incllc3235]

@@SouthMainAuto Oh! This Guy again! Sheesh.. I'm airplane passenger - where's my shouout!

[@jamesdecanteur4485]

I did that job on my Frontier about a year ago. I cut the bearing cage and retainer off with a die grinder and called all of the shops in my area to press my new bearing back on. The lowest quote was $40 and the highest was $180. I felt that 5 minutes of press time for $40 was unfair, so I bought a 12 ton press and it worked like a charm and now I use it for other jobs too

[@scientist100]

The Toyota's are not that easy and you need to buy special adapters, I did buy a master kit that included the ability to install ABS ring reluctors which I don't think I won't ever use but it has all the needed adapters for a lot of other cars. I need to offer this service because the kit is quite expensive but a great investment.

[@blautens]

I would buy that press in a heartbeat if I had the garage space for it. So far I've only been pressing bushings, ball joints, etc, so I can get by with a kit from Astro Tools I bought used.

[@stevewhite3424]

​@@blautensI had to get a rear hubbearing pulled off of a BMW single sided swing arm, big old son of a bitch. I found a transmission shop nearby that pressed off the old one and pressed on the new one for ten bucks while I waited. 😃

[@steveb6103]

I have put the shaft in a freezer, and the bearing in a pot of oil on the old Colman stove.

[@Ray_Sellner]

I frequently add tools to the shop with that philosophy.

[@bags4]

Seeing Andy again reminded me that he should have his own KZbin channel doing heavy duty stuff!

[@oliver_klozoff]

11/10 would subscribe

Just FYI, Mr. O, thanks to your videos, I managed to correctly diagnose one guys wheel speed sensor issue from his symptoms description. I am not a car mechanic but software developer. :D

[@chinbin2006]

Can you imagine Rainman Ray trying this repair? Get ready for a lot of carnage and an extra long 2 or 3 part vid!! Thanks for vid Eric.

[@johnlarkin549]

I have to agree Eric is the master and rainman Ray an average apprentice but I still enjoy the tussle he has getting rusty things apart, providing you have time and the same amount of patience Ray has😂😂

[@michaelsnively3621]

I gotta hope Ray is a little bit of theatrics, sorta like professional wrestling. Still fun to watch.

[@paulamccomb9511]

Scotty could 😂

[@tomjohnson6036]

“This one’s spinning the stud too!” I think now you know why the DIYer hired you to do this.

[@DriftingDragon74]

When removing races I used to use a worn, small cutoff wheel but now I use a Dremel which is actually faster with a good, thin wheel. They work good on hardened steel. I cut a slit diagonally across the race, most of the way through and then I take a sharp cold chisel, put it in the groove and give it a good whack. That typically breaks the remaining steel of the race and it's grip to the shaft. The rest of the process is the same. Not quite as fast as the torch but arguably just as simple and an affordable option for anyone without torches.👍

[@toolmanchris]

The torch, the welder, the rust. More carnage at SMA 👍

[@shepherdguy]

I did a similar job on my 1996 Mitsubishi Montero Sport years ago, which had both an inner seal and outer seal. The bearing wasn't too much of a problem getting off. The challange for me, though, was the bearing retainer. I didn't know at the time you had to grind it down to within an 1/8" of the shaft and then split it with a chisel the rest of the way. Found that out after a couple of hours trying a slide hammer, anything I could think of before finding you had the grind it. Got the bearing off, did all of the clean up, new seals, etc. and pressed the new bearing on and new retainer. I couldn't quite see all of the slot for the snap ring so put it back in the press and checking several times and still couldn't quite get all of the snap ring slot. So I muscled down on the press and heard a loud pop. I had just cracked the inner race of the bearing. Had to grind the NEW bearing retainer to get the NEW bearing off, so now I needed a NEW set. Since the full snap ring slot never came into full view, I started measuring. The retainer was OEM and had the same measurement as the old but the bearing was crossed referenced as the OEM was no longer available. The new bearing was approx. 0.015-0.020" or so wider than the old. There was no way I was going to be able to take that off the bearing so I filed and shaved it off of the bearing retainer instead. I pressed everything back together and got the snap ring back on. Success!...or so I thought. I went to put the brake backing plate back on and realized it needed to go on BEFORE the bearing and retainer. TAKE 3, and threes a charm. Finally got her all back together. Took me waaaay longer than it should have, waaaay more parts than it needed, waaaay more beeped moments coming from my mouth, waaaay less money left over afterwards; but hey, let's look at the bright side - I now consider myself an expert on Montero Sport wheel bearings. So if you ever get in a older model Montero Sport and need assistance, I'm your man! Umm, actually, that's not true, I don't want to do another one of those rear bearings. Please don't call me!!!!

[@peglegtoo]

This was a great story. thanks for sharing.

[@randyolson415]

I just got done tearing my Midwest salty dog yj front and rear axles bearings and seal,took 2 whole days on my hoist to pull all the parts off,4 hours to clean it all up and a whole nother day to put all the new parts back on,very satisfying for a fresh retired trucker,

[@mattcalendinemusic5661]

I learned how to torch a huge line in the axle first time doing one of those, good times! Had to track down a new axle, drive three hours to pick it up, and pay for it myself. great memories lol I'm glad there's channels like this one out there now, for the sake of the younger generation wrenches out there! back then there was not!

[@slevenkelevra4167]

The "rethink that before you do" with the little tap on the axle housing had me laughing out loud for real. I love it. Good stuff here Eric. Keep up the solid work.

[@haywardsautomotive6156]

The torch is still the fastest and in my opinion the best way to do axle bearings. That heat is not going to affect the integrity of the axle. Done it for over 40+ years and have never had an issue and some were race cars. Good job and great video & tips. Some day when I am cleared to travel by my Drs I will come to NY to visit my family & I'll swing by & shake your hand!

[@boblister665]

As always you have shown the common sense way to fix a car. I would like to add one thing. When an axle seal leaks I first remove the hose to the axle vent and try to blow through it. A moth nest can block it and make the axle build pressure which will push oil through the seal. I replaced the seals on my truck and found that was the cause. I give credit to my friend Tony for that.

[@jamesgeorge4874]

Mason wasps, spider webs too !

[@bearing_aficionado]

As the official bearing aficionado of this channel, it always brings me joy to see another video involving bearings.

[@azza-in_this_day_and_age]

another video without a bearing would be... unbearable.... 🤓

[@oliver_klozoff]

As soon as the studs started turning I knew exactly why he brought it to you.

[@wilsonfinlayson]

Happy Birthday..Old Son!!!...lucky year 44!!

[@jazbah2194]

Years ago before I had a garage or a press and needed a wheel bearing out I would remove the knuckles and take it to a local shop about 45 min before they close. It would cost $20 dollars and a case of beer to get bearings pressed out and new ones in on both knuckles. Then I would hang out and look at the hot rods or choppers they were working on after hours, good times!

[@farmcentralohio]

I don't own a Jeep, never have, probably never will. But I watched the whole video because Dr O makes them all interesting. Thanks Eric

[@richardwarnock2789]

Eric when it comes to Jeep's you saved me lot's of troubles mind was under Warranty yet you contacted Jeep for me and you got me back on the road to get my transfer case repaired in a neighboring state!!

[@SPIN1963_]

A great Austin Powers loosening sequence followed by a dropped wrench ... classic. ;)

[@hairbag4096]

One of the funnest times you can have is a spinning wheel lug on fancy wheels. Especially if they have stainless caps.

[@gcrauwels941]

I watched somebody struggle with one of these once. Happy Birthday Eric O. (whenever it was) ✌

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Happy early Birthday Eric O 27:05 @South Main Auto Repair LLc

[@lucymc0191]

im no mechanic eric just like to see a professional doing what he does best and man you do . regards from uk .

[@TheJimmy1073]

I just learned yesterday to put the bearings on the right way. Going to pick new ones up again today.

[@robertlacob8831]

Another SMA job done professionally!!! What else would you expect? Bravo Eric.

[@joselozano0528]

Sometimes as a mechanic your rage is all you need.

[@MikeBrown-ii3pt]

My sister in-law and her husband are die hard Jeep fans that actually do take theirs off road. Sis in-law has a decal that says "It's a Jeep thing, you wouldn't understand". So me, being the wise ass that I am, told them "I caught your Jeep thing once and I had to get a shot". My wife and I prefer full size 4x4 pickups. Sure, they can't handle the tight trails but, we also trailer their Jeeps when we go on an outing together and the teasing is all in fun. Unfortunately, on our last outing, sis rolled her Wrangler 3-4 times down an embankment. Luckily, it was on a low speed trail and she has a full cage and 5 point harnesses so, the only serious injuries were to her pride and her Jeep. The Jeep is presently in my shop and she's already making plans for more modifications to it over the coming winter!

[@sc5015]

When are you top YT mechanics gonna do a "Mechanic exchange program" where you take those southern lovin wrench mechanics out of their comfort zone and make them work on a northeast special?

[@htownblue11]

BRAKLEEN SOUND EFFECT BABY! Might be my favorite thing on this channel. Makes me laugh every time.

[@jeremyalbert2069]

To put the bearing and the retainer back on , i learned a trick. If you put the bearing and retainer , or spacer whatever you want to call it , put them on a hot plate , just a cheap one from walmart , or even a electric griddle , heat to around 150degrees , and usually they will drop right on , to the axle a little tap with a piece of exhaust pipe or get a piece of gas pipe , slide over axle and tap it down , if bearing and retainer are hot enough they will go right on no problem ,wont hurt them , and when they cool down perfect fit . This also works for doing bearings in manual transmissions , if you dont have all the correct tools for the press , !!

[@johnt.848]

I've done a few bearings and retaining collars in the past, and did them without a torch just using a large cold chisel and mash hammer, it has the same affect of relieving pressure making them easy to remove, replacing them was done with a length of sturdy pipe over the axle to drive them back on, standing the axle shaft on a bit of 4x2 timber between the studs to avoid damage. My coworker in the workshop used a torch and was no faster.

[@goptools]

I've taken tons of those axle lock rings off with a hammer and chisel. Works pretty well. They are very brittle and sometimes will just split.

[@N-wordScissorhands]

Just when I start catching SMA every other morning you go and make me wait one business week 😂

[@SouthMainAuto]

Sorry, deer season opened on the first haha

[@N-wordScissorhands]

@@SouthMainAutono worries, hope you got one!

[@kens.3729]

Jeep is the Gift that keeps Mrs. Happy in the Shopping Mall and on Vacation. 😬👍 Can’t remember seeing a Jeep Wrangler in your Shop for a bit. Thanks! 👍🙏

[@hokie9910]

Jeep’s….

[@kurtwelday8465]

I love that you're DIY friendly

[@rustynails68]

The guy that said, “that job is larger than what I want”, now there is solid hunk of wisdom there.

[@davidhoffman8072]

I'd sure like to know more about that tool you used to pull the race out of the axel tube.

[@user-xp9hx9vm3d]

Good Job, we love you videos! I lived in Michigan (Rust Belt) but I can't imagine doing that now. here in Hockley Texas Our vehicles will rust from the Gulf of Mexico salt water, IF you were to drive in the surf, but not so much from road salt. My service truck is a 1995 Chevy diesel, not much power, but 550,000 miles. many seats, seat belts, tires even Steering wheels.

[@djgodden]

I don't know why but these videos make me smile. Keep it up Mrs. O's hubby.

[@richardsimons3382]

Eric O you are a surgeon with the touch man

[@rickblanchette]

Love seeing you pull out the comment generators!

[@tonygristina4860]

'Fit of rage' and 'Chrysler', two phrases that always seem to go together.

[@Embermist69]

Funny thing about the bearing I’d say is. There is a very good chance that SKF is the OE suppler to Chrysler for this keep. I know SKF was the supplier for my front wheel bearing on a 07 Dakota. 🙃

[@randybeard6040]

Torch and Welder is Country Boy's Best Friend who does Mechanic Work on Everything...

[@troy9616]

Good point on the "being capable". I find our NAPA to be a good source.

[@waynegarrison2481]

Another fine job by SMA.....

[@jamesbruno5896]

Happy Birthday Eric & thanks for the awesome video!

[@michaeldurling793]

DYI'd this on my 2010 JK, bought the loaded backing plates and pre assembled axles. Like wise had to weld the 4 retainer bolts to get them out. Now I have 2 axles to rebuild as spares at my leisure, still haven't cuz I got other stuff to do with my leisure. New sub and love the channel, the diagnostic stuff is way outside my wheelhouse but it's fascinating and educational none the less.

[@FrogOff420]

I did the same job on a 2008 wrangler about a year ago for my bosses daughter. I used a cut off wheel kind of at a diagonal on the lock ring and cut most of the way through, split it with an air hammer, and knocked it the rest of the way with a little hammer and a chisel. It took probably 20 minutes an axle, but I work in the south, so needless to say we don’t have a torch. 😂

[@benjaminstockton3917]

You did an awesome job, Eric O. Appreciate you, buddy 👍

[@baileyparadis1815]

I missed the brake clean sound effect. It's pure gold.

[@joejohnson7097]

Thanks. I enjoy watching your videos. You make it to where you can understand repairs for DIY. Thanks for the video

[@ronaldanderson9263]

Oh goodie gumdrops a new SMA videa! - Thank you Eric.

[@bradburkhalter4082]

Love the sound of air tools.

[@studio95951]

You are a wizard with that cutting torch.!! 👍👍

[@ralphwatten2426]

Happy Birthday Mr. O! Many happy returns. Thanks for showing the weld the stud heads trick.

[@tomcardale5596]

I have a Land Rover, one year older than that. From a distance, you'd think they'd be very similar. Both are solid axle 4x4s of about the same size. The rear axles are about as different as they could be. I've just done this job on mine and almost unrecognisable.

[@wboyd33]

HAPPY EARLY BIRTHDAY Eric!!! May you have a GREAT day & a better year!!!

[@johnpereira822]

Awesome to watch I just got home from camping chillin on couch now enjoying a SMA repair video

[@leninmi7579]

Another job well done young man👍

[@2chipped]

It was the sound effects, on the hot wrench tutorial...that made it worthwhile for me!

[@darkerbinding6933]

Love your sense of humor! "Girl you stink!!" 🤣

[@jamesterrill1938]

YOU make all jobs seem easy because you have All the tools and equipment it takes, great video....

[@zacharysherf9397]

Unrelated to this exact video but we were driving from Philly to buffalo and I saw the Avoca sign and nearly lost it! We were picking up a berner puppy and I half thought about stopping by to say hi but I’m sure there are 1000 people A day trying to do that. Either way thanks for the content and all you do as an honest mechanic

[@emporium597]

You may not believe it but I truly look forward to your posts. Thanks

[@thomaspaine5091]

great job Eric.being skilled with the smoke wrench is a great asset.

[@MaceW32]

It’s real fun when you go to press everything together and your coworker needs your help and you forget to put the seal on…….

[@edchenal821]

Your customer knew his limitations. Thank you.

[@JoseSilveira-newhandleforYT]

That's another Jeep thing 🙂 Good job, Eric!

[@springfield4522]

Have a Happy Birthday! Always nice to have a friend stop by and break up the day.

[@Trigger_32]

The bug guard guy is named Kilroy... it was a WWII navy creation used as a "I was here" type of thing

[@bigtruck57h25]

Love it when the torch comes out!!!

[@austinwnek2879]

As someone from the rust belt I confirm the first tool to come out is the torch

[@RandomYoutuber1023]

I come here to learn how to do this stuff. Some of this I will never attempt. I don't think I'd ever have any suggestions because you clearly know what you're doing and have a tremendous amount of experience as well as the customers to show it. No reason at all to defend your ways, you're doing it the best way there is.

[@alward9901]

Hi Eric . Good tip on the sensor sometimes you find the best way to do things by accident not just on cars , woodworking etc .

[@dosiodosev740]

Good tip of the ratchet breaking off when dealing with hot hardware thanks

[@mikepickett3277]

Very good job Eric. Dine a good few of that style axle in my younger days. There’s always a way !!

[@Paul1958R]

Eric, Great video - thank you! Paul (in MA)

[@alwhitesell4023]

As an industrial mechanic, when we have a bearing race on a shaft, We typically just heat the race with a torch and whack it with a brass hammer and it slides off.

[@tabbott429]

I have the local ring and pinion shop do all my axle work as i dont have the tools and dont do it often enough to buy them. If it needs more than a map gas torch im not touching it. You made it look easy even though it isnt when pressing things on an off is involved. Good job!!

[@randyhughes5160]

There’s always more then one correct way why people get tunnel vision is sometimes very entertaining nice video as usual

[@andrewszaflarski5379]

"Heat me baby one more time." This is the content i needed.

[@herbbenson6884]

Love watching hate doing glad you are there for me!

[@kevinfunkhouser4707]

I've been watching your videos for quite a while now and I got to say the commentary cracks me up love the videos keep up the good work

[@PatrickJago]

Thanks for the nuggets of wisdom. And Have a very Happy Birthday 🎉

[@roberthalm4385]

You're a groovy shaft, baby!!! Comedic gold!!!

[@glassvial]

Happy Birthday, Eric O! And always fun to have Andy stop by for some BS'ing with you, too!

[@LesReeves]

I wish I had a gas axe miss my days on the railway cutting old rails for telephone & signal poles. Cheers Mr O another great video.

[@myk55501]

Hey, being an old man and very experienced that mechanical things I've learned the number one way to get your bearing seals off first you go to the ice cream store to get a nice soft serve ice cream and then you go back over and you watch your mechanic work and sweat to get your bearing replaced it's it's a lot easier way of doing it you know it's a😂

[@alannorthcarolina1776]

Your work life calms and grounds me. I’m a wannabe mechanic, but my day job gets in the way. I hope you really enjoy what you do, despite the Chevy frustrations.

[@dukwdriver2909]

Such a basic, primitive bench press. Gives you total control and feel. You can work on my vehicle anytime. Only said that to 2 mechanics in over 50 years in transport.

[@billupstateny9151]

VIC loves his video exposure 🇺🇸🗽👌💯

[@snoops606]

Hey Mister O I have been sick lately but glad I'm back

[@kaafromoz]

Firstly Happy Birthday Eric, although by now it is a belated one mate. Thanks for the flames smoke and destruction video super interesting as it always is. Keep Safe Keep Strong 🦘🦘🦘🦘❤❤❤❤

[@TeemarkConvair]

Happy Birthday!! back in the 70's i was workin' in auto parts store and we'd do axles all the time,, some truck axles were really long and the press would get all kaddy-wumpus pressing them on. never torched, press off- press-on

[@BDKennels]

Dude, you know everything!