Re: [Chrysler300] Rear Axle Bearings

[dan300f@xxxx]

Hi all:

Well, I don't know how long axle bearings are supposed to stay greased but I 
had an experience with my '66 300 several years ago. It had 165,000 miles on 
it. I was driving 30 miles from nowhere in northern California coming home 
from a 300 meet in Bend, Oregon. At some point in time, I felt a bit of 
hesitation at 70 mph but thought nothing of it. A few miles further on, I 
started hearing a grumbling noise from the rear. I pulled off the road and 
found nothing abnormal. Started on the road again and more loud rumbling. 
Pulled over at a wide turn out and jacked the rear end up and heard a loud 
noise from the left rear axle. I pulled the axle and the bearing "dust" fell 
out on the ground along with the shavings from the keeper. It was bone dry 
and actually looked rusty. I had no prior warning that I had a bearing going 
bad except for the hesitation a few minutes before. Later I found that the 
housing had gotten so hot that the hole for the bearing had actually 
enlarged. Temporarily, I inserted an 18 ga. shim around the bearing until I 
purchased a replacement housing when I got home.

SO what makes a bearing go so quickly? Who knows?

Dan Reitz
Northridge, CA
300F
'66 300 Conv.


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