851 Powermaster Rear Axle Seals

Grabatire · Jul 24, 2017

Can someone point me to a video or explain how to remove the rear axle bearings on a Ford 851 Power Master? It looks like they must be pressed off, but I'm afraid to warp the backing plates. I need to replace the outer seals. I suppose there's a special support of some kind that Ford made to accomplish this, but of course I don't have one.

Dean · Jul 24, 2017

You must cut the bearing retainer ring off in order to service/pack the bearings and seals.

Procedure is in the Ford Service manual.

The new retaining collar must be shrink fitted on, requiring a torch to heat it.

Not a job for the faint of heart without the proper tools.

Grabatire · Jul 24, 2017

Thanks Brian.
I don't have a service manual, and neither does the owner.
I've cut a lot of bearings and the like off shafts, but I assume that cutting the retainer off will damage the bearing, so new bearing cups and cones will be in order. I sure hope new retainers are available.

Dean · Jul 24, 2017

The proper procedure is to drill a hole through the collar and split it with a chisel but some folks will cut it with a torch.

Lots of axles and bearings have been ruined when using a torch to remove the collar.

riveroadrat · Jul 24, 2017

I believe someone on here said they had the dealer do it at a reasonable price.

Grabatire · Jul 25, 2017

The idea of checking with the dealer has wiggled its way to the forefront. Thanks fellas. I'll let y'all know how things work out.

WayneIA · Jul 25, 2017

Wander how many NH dealers have the special jig to drill the hole in the collar, the special chisel to split the collar and then pull the bearing assembly, as shown n the shop manual.

showcrop · Jul 25, 2017

(quoted from post at 06:05:54 07/25/17) Wander how many NH dealers have the special jig to drill the hole in the collar, the special chisel to split the collar and then pull the bearing assembly, as shown n the shop manual.

Probably very few. But not to worry, what they do have is a highly trained 17 year old technician who they can give the job to and tell him to "go see if you can figure this out" at $110.00 per hour.

Dean · Jul 25, 2017

My local CNH/Kubota dealer has a set at one of their three locations. Last I heard there was still one tech that knew how to use them. The rest of the techs use a cutting torch and nearly always ruin the bearing and sometimes the axle.

Dean

Mike(NEOhio) · Jul 25, 2017

I replaced the seals on my 2000. Even after the shrink collars come off you still need a stout puller for the bearings.

Grabatire · Jul 27, 2017

Well I checked with the local CNH shop and they gave me this "We can try it but no guarantee". At $140.00 an hour and no guarantee, I decided to give it a try myself. I drilled a 1/2" hole in the collar and finished by cutting it off with a torch. The bearing is next, so I'll have to build a puller. Will the casting that holds the bearing and seal assembly take the strain of pulling the bearing off? I assume the bearing will move on the axle because it isn't shrunk onto the axle like the retainer is.

Jeez, I wonder how many engineers got fired before they found one goofy enough to design this set up. I would think a groove on the axle and a snap ring would have held the bearing in place. Then to top it all off the axles have to push against each other to accomplish preload.

I'm pretty good at figuring this stuff out, but I sure wish I had a service manual. To be quite honest, I sure wish I had told the owner to take it to someone else.

Dave

851 Powermaster Rear Axle Seals

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Dean

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Grabatire

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Dean

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riveroadrat

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Mike(NEOhio)

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