Question about rear axle outer oil seals and bearings.

[39mm]

63 Riviera. The oil seals are inboard of the bearings. How do the bearings get lubrication? They aren't meant to operate without lube, are they?

 

Thanks,

Tim

[JZRIV]

Tim,

They are sealed bearings. Grease put in bearing when it was assembled. bearing design (sealed) keeps grease in - dirt stays out. Permanently lubed until the grease dries up and the bearing fails. Many original axle bearings are still going strong. Often they get changed as preventive maintenance and other times because they fail.

[39mm]

3 minutes ago, JZRIV said:

Tim,

They are sealed bearings. Grease put in bearing when it was assembled. bearing design (sealed) keeps grease in - dirt stays out. Permanently lubed until the grease dries up and the bearing fails. Many original axle bearings are still going strong. Often they get changed as preventive maintenance and other times because they fail.

Thank you , Jason.

[telriv]

I still have the original bearings in my '64 after over 300K & MANY passes down the 1/4 mile.