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Drivetrain => Differentials, Axles & Brakes => Topic started by: BuickGS65 on January 04, 2009, 05:20:32 PM

Title: 65 GS rear end axle bearings
Post by: BuickGS65 on January 04, 2009, 05:20:32 PM: Hello:

I'm preparing to have the rear end in my '65 GS rebuilt... What are the correct axle bearing #s and are they still available? Thanks
Title: Re: 65 GS rear end axle bearings
Post by: WkillGS on January 05, 2009, 01:23:53 PM: Dan, they are not made anymore, but can still be found. A pair sold on eBay yesterday CHEAP.
Bearings for the 66 GS (different pn) usually cost about $45 each.

Part number is:
RW507A
RW507AR includes the retainer.
Buick - 1965 - LeSabre
Buick - 1964 1965 - Special/Skylark Skyroof Station Wagon (Sport Wagon), 65 GS
Oldsmobile - 1964 1965 - F85 Cutlass Station Wagon, Skyroof Station Wagon (Vista Cruiser)

A source I've heard many times is Olcar Bearing. Do a Google search and you'll find the phone number.
Title: Re: 65 GS rear end axle bearings
Post by: BuickGS65 on January 05, 2009, 03:06:14 PM: Thanks for the info Walt...

How many do I need total?
Title: Re: 65 GS rear end axle bearings
Post by: 65gs76limited on January 05, 2009, 04:15:30 PM: Walt,i ran across a bearing made by SKF and it has a part #RW507CR not AR.Lists for 64 thru 67 Skylark and Special. Do you know if they are the same? Tom
Title: Re: 65 GS rear end axle bearings
Post by: Loren At 65GS on January 05, 2009, 06:04:58 PM: Tom,
That will not work. It is too small.

Loren
Title: Re: 65 GS rear end axle bearings
Post by: 65gs76limited on January 05, 2009, 08:40:02 PM: Thanks Loren. So it has to be AR.
Title: Re: 65 GS rear end axle bearings
Post by: WkillGS on January 06, 2009, 01:41:35 PM: Dan, you need two per car, one for each side.
The seals should be replaced as well. I'll have to look up the pn for you.

Tom, the RW507C is for the standard Special/Skylark.
The Skylark GS used larger axles and bearings for durability.....and to make it harder for us to restore them! ;)
Title: Re: 65 GS rear end axle bearings
Post by: Joe65SkylarkGS on January 28, 2009, 04:45:27 PM: Hey Walt, can he get them from JD Racing on the V8 board?

I got my rear end seals from him.
Title: Re: 65 GS rear end axle bearings
Post by: WkillGS on February 01, 2009, 12:01:17 AM: Joe, I believe the bearings are no longer made. The only option is to find old stock.
Green bearing has been recommended. The other choice is to find them on eBay. Monaz might have other connections....
The 65 uses different bearings than the 66, so I don't have all the info..
Title: Re: 65 GS rear end axle bearings
Post by: Weldar on October 09, 2011, 03:26:06 PM: Quote from: WkillGS on February 01, 2009, 12:01:17 AM
Joe, I believe the bearings are no longer made. The only option is to find old stock.
Green bearing has been recommended. The other choice is to find them on eBay. Monaz might have other connections....
The 65 uses different bearings than the 66, so I don't have all the info..

I see that CARS lists a rear axle bearing for the 65 GS and Sportwagon. Their part # is RWB645-3 vs. RW507 AR. Wondering if anyone has ordered this from them before. Don't know if it comes with the retainer, is it reusable? Think I'll call and get dimensions on the bearing.

Question: I see in the Chassis manual that removal of the axle seems fairly straight forward using a slide hammer. Any other lessons from those that have done it already? I really don't want to remove the shaft but feel I should replace the seal as long as I'm this far along.

Dwaine
Title: Re: 65 GS rear end axle bearings
Post by: GranSportSedan on October 09, 2011, 03:56:23 PM: I just bought a set of the rw507AR from Olcar. the bearings retainers and seals were 141.00 shipped to my door via priority mail. Monzaz also has them for around the same price.

Olcar 910-693-3324
Title: Re: 65 GS rear end axle bearings
Post by: WkillGS on October 09, 2011, 09:58:15 PM: RW507-AR will include the retainer. (R stands for retainer)
RW507-A would be the bearing only.
The rear seal is avail new. I have the pn stored somewhere....
You can try to remove the axle by putting the brake drum on backwards and putting the lug nuts on about a half inch..... then using the drum like a slide hammer to coerce the axle out.
Title: Re: 65 GS rear end axle bearings
Post by: Weldar on October 27, 2011, 08:54:48 PM: RW507AR bearings, axle seals, and pinion seal ordered and received from OLCar Bearing Company. Very easy transaction, he doesn't take a credit card and sent receipt in the box - I sent him a check when it arrived. When is the last time you've heard of this? Nice to see you can still make a "hand shake" deal. Feel bad though cause I had an email conversation with Jim at jdrace.com and believe he would be great to deal with as well and he also offers these items for comparable cost. By the way, I asked him about the gasket between the backing plate and the axle flange and he says that they don't reinstall them on rebuilds.

Dwaine
Title: Re: 65 GS rear end axle bearings
Post by: WkillGS on October 27, 2011, 11:05:45 PM: Good to hear they treated you well.
Fel Pro should have the backing plate gaskets. You'll need to know the bearing OD to insure you get the correct gasket.
Title: Re: 65 GS rear end axle bearings
Post by: Weldar on November 02, 2011, 07:26:25 PM: Quote from: WkillGS on October 27, 2011, 11:05:45 PM
Good to hear they treated you well.
Fel Pro should have the backing plate gaskets. You'll need to know the bearing OD to insure you get the correct gasket.

2-15/16" I ordered 4 from NAPA. I pulled the drivers side axle the other night. There was a gasket between the outer retainer and the outside of the backing plate and a gasket between the inner side of the backing plate and the axle flange. Not what the Chassis manual shows but will go back with that setup.