Leaking Seal & Radial Play At The Needle Bearing

[300zx 7]

I have a leaking seal on a C121. I am in the process of soaking the hub with PB Blaster and using a large set of gear pullers to keep a load on the hub. It hasn't freed up yet. I did notice I have about a 1/8 inch radial free play in the axle. Does that mean I have a bad needle bearing?

John

[can whlvr 993]

in and out that much is normal,up and down should be none

[pfrederi 17,885]

As don said if you have any up down front to back movement you need to replace the needle bearings. This is not a deferred maintenance item. if the bearing fails it will chew up the axle shaft and may take out the 1533 inner axle bearing and they are way expensive.

When good little needle bearings go bad!!

[300zx 7]

Ouch, glad I asked. I have another transmission I can use until this one is repaired. I am on my second day with pulling and soaking the hub and it hasn't released yet. I will give it three days and then I will add some heat.

John

[can whlvr 993]

here is a pic of a homemade puller,with a small bit of heat its pulled some stubborn hubs without breaking them

[chevrat68 19]

Do you have access to a press? That's how I get the really hard hubs off. Also has someone hammered on the axle shaft trying to get them off and mushroomed the end?