Offroad-Express

Something to watch out for if you are replacing your rear wheel bearings I got a kit from Repco SZR002 which has a normal sealed bearing a collar and oil seal about $85:00 I replaced both rear bearings when I went to fit the brake drum it would not turn the problem was the original bearing has about a 5mm step where it goes against the shoulder of the axel the new bearing does not so you loose about 5mm and the brake drums hit the back plate.The best solution would be to put a 5mm spacer on the axle before you put the bearing on to late for me i will machine 5mm off the edge of my brake drums.

This is just the same for the vitara's as well . You will narrown your track by 5mm thou . I know of people replaceing bearings and not being able to get them together as they had used factory style bearings and the axle already had the 5mm spacer .

If you are going to replace rear bearings its best to buy/make the spacers as it takes it from a special , ie $$$ , bearing with a flange on it to a $20 standard bearing . Cheaper in the long run .

Chris

There are two styles of bearings for early and late Samurai's. The early ones used bearings like you got, and had a spacer from the factory. The later ones had Koyo DG357222DWC4 bearings with a built in step, like the one you took off.

You can replace the early bearings with the later ones if you throw away the spacer.

The later Koyo bearings are also heaps better, as they have a better seal arrangement, so will lsst much longer before crapping out from mud and water ingress.

You will probably find that the axle will bottom out in the diff centre if you machine down the drums, so you may have to shorten the axle too. More than likely then your shoes will then hit the face of the drum too.

I would cut the retainer off, press off the bearings, get a couple of spacers and fit new retainers.

Next time make sure you get a kit with the Koyo DG357222DWC4 bearing. Should be able to find them for $40-60 a side if you hunt round, they have the better seal, and save any shenanigans with missing spacers...

Ben

Thanks for your feed back I have machined the drums 5mm off will put a washer behind the steel dust cover as it just touches and all is good a trap for young players.