Alfa Romeo Rear Axle Bearing Installation

This is a short video that shows how we install the rear wheel bearings on the Alfa Romeo axle shafts. These are the later, 115 version with press on retainer rings (earlier diffs had threaded collars). The bearings press in relatively easily (we use a press but with the right sized pipe you can tap them in) but the retainer can be a real bear. When in doubt, use heat. About 5 minutes with a MAP gas torch and the ring will be just about glowing red. It will literally drop right down in place. Just tap it lightly to make sure it's seated and then cool it off in a bucket of water. Pretty simple, eh? Really, the hard part is removing the ring and bearing in the first place. You can cut the retainer and bearing apart with a die grinder or press them off with the correct collar plate and a 20 Ton press. You could probably heat the heat (reverse of installation) too but I'm not too keen on putting that kind of heat to the axle. As always, use these techniques at your own risk and don't blame me if you something breaks or someone gets hurt...