Hi all, I've been keeping up on the posts about one pc. axles lately (trying to decide which ones to get[img]/wwwthreads_images/icons/crazy.gif[/img]) and saw that Summers Brothers axles came with zerk fitted axle bearings. Doesent the diff fluid keep the outer axle bearings lubed, or is the 20 different than the axles I've worked on? Excuse my ignorance on this subject, I havent had one of these apart yet.

Mike H.
1983 CJ-7 Laredo, The body is on the frame now!!!

The AMC 20's outer bearings depend on being greased and if they're lubed by the diff juice, the seal is leaking and your brake shoes/rotor are wet.

I'm not sure about the Summers Bros zerk fitted bearing, they usually have pretty good stuff. What I have done on CJ AMC 20s is to drill and tap the axle housing, top and bottom for zerk fittings in the area between the bearing and the seal. The bearing on factory 2 piece axles have the bearing pressed on so the race and tapered end on the bearing are facing out. In other words, when the axle goes in, the bearing enters the housing before the race. If you're picturing this correctly, you can see when you have an axle out, that there is about 1" between the bearing and the seal. This is the area that I drill and tap.

The reason that I drill and tap top and bottom? When you grease the bearing, pull the lower fitting out of the housing and grease the top one to add grease. With the bottom fitting removed, if you "over grease" the bearing, it will allow grease to ooze out the bottom rather than forcing it's way past the seal. Make sense?

The HD AMC 20 axle, which I run in the rear of my CJ (from an 82 Waggie) has one piece axles from the factory, but the bearing and race are turned around the other way, so the race goes in first. Pissed me off. Took me years to figure out to drill and tap the housing to grease the bearing and then I switch to the HD housing and the game changes. Oh well...

BTW, use a premium grease, like marine grease, to grease your wheel bearings. I use Pennzoil Marine from Tractor Supply in the grease gun. Water will get in the bearings if you go through water. Marine grease won't break down as easily when exposed to water.

Sorry for being so long winded...


From Southeastern Indiana...Guy
CJ7, 258, T18, Dana 44s ARB/Detroit, 4 wheel discs, YJ springs w/shackle reversal
93 Toy T100 4X4 (daily driver)
1971 Jeepster Commando - all stock!

I have the Summer Brothers one piece with zirk fittings on a model 20. Easy to get to, work fine. John

Thanks Hoghead! That really was a good description. I plan on using the best grease I can get (even expensive grease is cheap compared to the alternative[img]/wwwthreads_images/icons/crazy.gif[/img]) for the bearings.

John, are the grease fittings on the Summers Bro's axle bearings inside the brake drum (against the backing plate)? Thats the only place I can figure them to be. Thanks again [img]/wwwthreads_images/icons/cool.gif[/img].

Mike H.
1983 CJ-7 Laredo, The body is on the frame now!!!

i used to have a set of genuine gear one piece axles.. and they had the zerk fitting also.. and it was on the outer seal... all you had to do was remove the wheel.. to grease them...

http://www.jeepgod.net

84 CJ-7 401/T-18/D20/D44/D60w/4.10&Detriots/YJ frame & tub/35x16x15 Boggers
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On the Summer's Brothers axles you have to remove the brake drum to get to the zerk fittings. They are kinda hidden behind the axle flange, but easy to get to with a grease gun.