I trying to figure out how to remove the bearings on the ends of the rearend housings....you know the ones near the brake assembly. Do I have to use a slide hammer to remove them or is there an easier way?
For me, the easiest way was the slide hammer method. I bought one (although you can rent one) from napa. Get the three pronged puller, and yank till it feels like it's going to come off of the jack stands.
There is another method that some prefer. Get a VERY long section of steel tubing. Yank out the whole center section inside the housing, stick that long tube through one axle shaft housing, all the way into the other side against the bearing, and wack out that bearing. Some say this is the easiest way, thought I haven't tried it, and haven't had a problem with the puller.
A tip, those new seals have to go in straight, and getting the in without ****ing them up is near impossible. Use the old seal and place against the new one, then grab a short section of 2x4 wood, and tap the new one into place using the old seal on top of the new one. Any other method, and you'll bend the new seal going in. Good luck!
There is another method that some prefer. Get a VERY long section of steel tubing. Yank out the whole center section inside the housing, stick that long tube through one axle shaft housing, all the way into the other side against the bearing, and wack out that bearing. Some say this is the easiest way, thought I haven't tried it, and haven't had a problem with the puller.
More than likely as when I did mine, I ended up pulling the center race of the bearing and the rollers that were in the bearing were everywhere. I went ahead and pulled the outter race, then I took a magnet and fished out all the rollers that got in the axle tube. I rented a slidehammer from Autozone, it's like 85 bucks but you get all your money back even if you break it when it's returned. It only took me like 5 minutes per side once I got the axles removed. Also check for wear on the axles. Especially if it's making noise. I didn't think mine were wore very bad. I thought the bearings were out and that's what made the noise. Needless to say I ended up pulling it apart again to replace the axles and then the bearings again.