1997 GMC 14 Bolt 9.5 Axle Bearings

[cdm1993]

I have a 1997 GMC 14 bolt 9.5 that is leaking at the rear axle seals. I am going to replace the seals and while doing so I would have access to the rear bearings. Would it be a good idea to replace the bearings? (and what is their general lifespan)

-truck is a 1997 K1500 5.7 Vortec
-truck has 200,000 miles
-Sees mostly highway use and some city
-tows occasionally

Thanks.

 

[Chris142]

If the old bearings are ok Reuse them. They dont normally wear out. The Oe bearings are better than the aftermarket ones too. Make sure to pack the new ones with grease to they wont get ran dry before axle oil gets to them. Then recheck the axle oil level.

 

[cdm1993]

Appreciate the help.

 

[DoubleWasp]

I'd be less concerned about the bearings and more concerned about the axles. I've seen plenty with the bearing surface on the axle completely wiped out. Pull the axle shafts out and take a look at them to see if they are OK.

 

[MolaKule]

Like Double said, check the axle shafts with a micrometer to make sure they haven't worn below specs.

I would replace the bearings since you have access to them and this vehicle has high mileage.

 

[Chris142]

Originally Posted By: MolaKule
Like Double said, check the axle shafts with a micrometer to make sure they haven't worn below specs.

I would replace the bearings since you have access to them and this vehicle has high mileage.
His 14 bolt should be a full floater.

 

[Soggydog]

9.5" 14 bolt rear axles are semi floaters. Light duty 3/4 ton, heavy duty 1/2 tons, 454ss trucks, trail blazer ss
10.5's were full floating

 

[clinebarger]

The 9.5" 14-bolt is Semi-Float, As others stated pull the Axles & check the surface where they ride.

If it needs wheel bearings/Axles, Replace with Torrington/Koyo ONLY, That Chinese junk is just that.

 

[cdm1993]

Thanks all for the help. Yes it is a 9.5 14 semi-float. Was planning on replacing the bearings with GM OE AC Delco S1198 from Rock Auto; is Torrington/Koyo any better?

 

[meborder]

Originally Posted By: Soggydog
9.5" 14 bolt rear axles are semi floaters. Light duty 3/4 ton, heavy duty 1/2 tons, 454ss trucks, trail blazer ss
10.5's were full floating


I'm not sure that it was a "heavy duty" vs "light duty" thing.

My 83 k20 has the 9.5" 14 bolt but is the 8800gvw, the heaviest offered AFAIK.

I think it was more related to engine choice. There is no possible way that the weak-suck 350 could break the 9.5, even at maximum load. But the diesel might, so I think that is why they needed the 10.5" full floater.

I haven't gone to the ends of the earth to fact check this, but i know I've got the heaviest 3/4 tone made and it has the 9.5" 14 bolt.

 

[mjoekingz28]

14 bolt 2500 here


I 'hear' it is semi-float..

 

[clinebarger]

Originally Posted By: cdm1993
Thanks all for the help. Yes it is a 9.5 14 semi-float. Was planning on replacing the bearings with GM OE AC Delco S1198 from Rock Auto; is Torrington/Koyo any better?


Probably re-boxed Torrington/Koyo, But with the way AC-Delco is now.....I could be wrong.

Spicer & Yukon branded ones are the good ones for sure!

 

[artificialist]

Originally Posted By: cdm1993
Thanks all for the help. Yes it is a 9.5 14 semi-float. Was planning on replacing the bearings with GM OE AC Delco S1198 from Rock Auto; is Torrington/Koyo any better?

Koyo is a major OE supplier of bearings, so I would think those would be good bearings.

As for AcDelco, it could be OEM, but it could just be a label on some other manufacturer's bearing.

 

[wtd]

His truck has the optional 14 bolt rear that you could get with the heavy duty chassis option on the K1500 trucks. It is a semi-floater and has a different rear cover design compared to the 14 bolt full floater that I have in my 98 K3500 truck.

The K2500 trucks of that generation had either the 14 bolt semi-floater or the 14 bolt full floater depending on which engine was installed. The 350 usually got the semi-floater and the 454 got the full floater.

When I was looking at trucks to buy in early 98, I saw quite a few K1500's with this heavier duty option. I wish now I would have gotten it on mine as I had to have the pinion and carrier bearings replaced in my weak 10 bolt at about 75,000 miles of hardly any towing or hauling.

Like the others have said, I would probably replace the bearings and check the axle shafts while you have it all apart and use good quality bearings.