DeTomaso Mailing List: June 99, Message #250

Gerry wrote:

>Anyone havex the stock bearing part number or an alternative # for a
74L.....that will fit as original...without many hours of mods

>>>I hate to break it to ya, but if you have a bearing NOISE you probably do 
NOT have a bearing problem.  What you have is an axle problem.

When you take the rear end apart (and you will HAVE to use the $100 axle nut 
socket--do NOT brutalize it with a cold-chisel 'cause you'll NEVER be able to 
get the required 400 ft/lbs to torque it back on) you will likely find that 
your axle has worn dual 'wagon tracks' underneath the inner and outer 
bearings.  This wear on the axles is what actually causes the bearings to go. 
 Sure, you could install new bearings (they'll just flop around the outside 
of the axle) but they'll be trash within 1000 miles.

So plan on buying a new axle.  And while you're at it, consider that the left 
side of the car has (most likely, unless you drive in circles a lot) 
travelled as far as the right side, and thus the wear patterns should be 
somewhat similar.  So when one side conks out, just bite the bullet and do 
both sides.

I would NOT buy parts on speculation however.  First thing to do is to get 
ahold of the axle nut.  Then take the hub off, remove the old nut, and have 
the axle pressed out.  Have a machinist mic the axle both in the center 
(where there's no wear) and on the surfaces where the bearings live.  If 
there's any appreciable difference, the axle is shot.  If not, be happy!

Once you've torn everything apart, press out the stock bearings.  They will 
have i.d. numbers on them that you can cross-reference at any bearing supply 
house.  Stock bearings can be had fairly inexpensively through these means.  
The bearing i.d. should be a press-fit on the axle, if it slides right over 
(slip fit) then don't accept them.  Best bet is to take an axle with you when 
you shop--while different manufacturers attempt to hold the same spec, there 
can be just enough variation that some are better than others.

Of course, if it was ME I'd tear it apart and if I found ANY problems, I'd 
just pack the whole lot off and have Pantera Performance or Pantera East do 
their tapered bearing mod...the stock bearing design sucks, and will last 
only so long before you have to repeat the entire exercise, while the tapered 
mod is for LIFE.

Mike