I've got myself into a corner tearing down my rear axle.  Got the drums off, no problem and was trying to get to the cup, cone and rollers, and oil seal, as they were leaking on both ends.  In the process of trying to remove the cup, I tore.  I mean tore it.  How the heck do you remove that?  The mechanics manual didn't do it for me.  Thanks.

I wish I could post a picture but as yet I've not figured that aspect out.  I tore the cup trying to get the rollers and oil seal out.  The plan was to replace all of that at the end of the axle, put it back together and call it a day.

I was hoping someone who had removed a rear axle would help you, but alas, they have not.

I have a copy of the Willys Jeep Mechanics Manual and it describes in detail how to do it. If your manual is not a copy of the factory Jeep manual you need to get a copy.

You have to pull the brake drum and the brake backing plate off first and then you should be able to pull the axle and the bearing out together by grabbing it and pulling on it. You will have to get a hook type puller to get the seal out and have a correct size driver to install the new seal.

The Willys factory mechanics manual tells exactly how to do it. You can't TEAR a bearing outer race but you can damage it. You can TEAR up the seal removing it but that's ok. BUT, be careful, you can DESTROY a seal while installing it.

To be more clear in the second photo if you look at the red line from the word "roller bearing"  where that red line stops is what I tore.

Rocketeer posted two photographs above, and in looking at his second photograph, I've removed the retainer and the bearing cup.  They are removed and with no problem.  My goal was to check the bearing and the seals and replace them.  This was my goal because (1) I figure after 60 years it can't hurt to replace the bearings, and (2) it was leaking oil out of the end of the axle.  I figure that can't be good let alone correct.  So, it was very easy to get to the point where everything was off the end of the axle, brake drum, backing plate, all very easy.  Once I got all that off there was a bunch of grease oozing out of the end of the axle at the point of what look like on the diagram in the mechanics manual as an oil seal and what is identified in Rocketeer's photo above as the roller bearing.  And when I look at it closely it appears there are bearings held captive in a metal race, and I tore the metal race trying to remove it.  If I knew how to post photos I attach one to make it clear.  But if you look at Rocketeer's above second photo where he identifies the roller bearing and imagine that metal ring torn, that's what I did, and now I'm trying to figure out how I remove and replace it.  And oh by the way, is replacing that bearing after 60 years a good idea or a bad idea given the fact that I'm tearing this thing down completely?

Thanks

The bearings did not fall out.  I just tore the cage or race of the bearings, and I can't figure out a way to grab them with a puller.

You can also send me an email and include jpg. of your axle bearing.

George

I haven't personally pulled an axle bearing of these jeeps but, once the brakes and retainer are removed, can't you just pull on the axle and it will come out?  Bearings and all?  Or do you have to release something inside the differential?