I am looking for the part number for an Axle bearing / Seal replacement kit for my 1971 8.5" rearend with bolt-in axles that I think came out of a '71 Skylark. I have been talking to Randys Ring & Pinion in Everett WA and they are having a hard time finding the correct part, either a A9 or A10 they are saying. I called a local auto parts store and they were pretty sure its an A10 bearing. But then another auto parts store is saying "A9"... I already have a rebuild kit, I just need the axle bearing kit. The housing cover is the older looking style with the scalloped sides. Thanks for any help Cheers,
Go straight to the ultimate source that has the correct number and the parts: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Olcar Bearings 910-693-3324
Both A-9's & A-10's bearings were used in '71 & 72 8.5 A-body rears depending on which 8.5 A-body axle housing was used. There were THREE different 8.5 A-body hsgs for these two years! How do you know which bearing & seal is needed without pulling an axle? IF the '71-72 8.5 A-body has the big squared off lugs on the bottom of the housing, you have the most common version... the one which takes an A-9 axle bearing & 712146 seal. If the '71-72 8.5 A-body rear does NOT have these squared off lugs and takes a round rear cover, chances are the rear MIGHT take the A-10 bearing & larger seal. Mention might, as towards the end of '72 production, many of the round cover style center housings had standard A-9 A-body axle tubes installed. Just a few of those things one notices after building TOO many 8.5 A-body rears :laugh: Got Posi? :3gears: Roger
Thank you Roger, your help is always appreciated. I got some numbers and specs off of the existing bearings/seals and want to run them by you. It sounds like the A9 is the way I might be going. My rear has the square corners on the bottom of the center housing. Here are the specs: Part number on Seal - 1234498, Seal width as measured with calipers - .460 Bearing sizes as measured with same calipers: outside diameter = 2.560 inside diameter = 1.373 The Axle diameter is 1.380 The bearings appear to be a roller type with no taper (maybe a aftermarket?) One last thing there appears to be a type of lock on the bearings. Like a large 1/8" round washer type lock that sits on the inside (carrier side) of the bearing. Not sure what that is. Let me know if the A-9 axle bearing & 712146 seal are still the way to go. Thank you Roger! Cheers,
Todd, Hello, you def have the A-9 version. The presence of the square lugs on the 8.5 A-body hsg sealed it. 2.56" diam, sounds right. A-10's are close to 2.9" in OD. Before buying new 712146 seals, might look at the seal pics Dewey Little put up in following post: http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=102219 At the time of his post I was still using up an old stock of National 712146 seals. Have since run out & been forced to buy the PartsMaster version... also buy quite a bit from O'Reillys. One of the 1st good experiences I've had with the PartsMaster line. In the past, been disappointed with their 8660 (c-clip axle) seals. Got Posi? :3gears: Roger
OK the solution to this puzzle in case anyone can use it is: This rearend did use the A-9 bearings with the A-10 seals... go figure. but it's all together and now I'm only waiting for my tranny to get refreshed, driveline shortened (the posi 8.5 goes in my '67 GS400), engine rebuilt, body work and new paint, interior, find & install disc brakes, suspension upgrades and a few other todos... So I'm almost there! uzzled: Cheers,
oPh - sounds like you know your rear-ends :Brow: I believe I too have an 8.5 instead of an 8.2. o No: http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=107321
