Thanks for the reply, Mike.

(although it doesn't sound good)

By the way, why did you get a new spindle? What does that have to do
with the fit of the bearing in the housing?

Mike Romain wrote:
> Ouch, the worst nightmare is a spun out bearing! That 'can' mean you
> end up needing a new housing or it easily can mean a used one is cheaper
> than the fixes it might need.
>
> Peening means hitting the bearing with a ball peen hammer to make
> dimples in it. The idea is these dimples will make the bearing appear
> larger by being bumpy so it might hold in the axle tube. I 'think'
> there might be a loctite product to help make this band aid hold.
>
> If the peening doesn't work, they can take it apart and maybe machine
> the inside of the tube larger so they can fit a shim sleeve in there to
> try and hold the bearing in place.
>
> I spun a front bearing on my CJ7 and tried the peening, it didn't hold,
> then just went and got a new spindle.
>
> Mike
> 86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
> 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
> Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
> Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
> (More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)
>
> Deano wrote:
> >
> > Just had my 86 cj7 (dana 44 rear) into my local jeep mechanic to
> > replace my oil seal, bearing, retainer etc, and brake pad on the rear
> > axle, driver's side. When I picked it up he mentioned that he had
> > noticed a lot of play when he reinstalled the new axle - he guessed
> > that a PO had spun a bearing. Basically the bearing was not fitting
> > tightly into the surrounding housing. He said it seemed ok, but if
> > there were any problems he may have to spot peen? (weld?) the bearing
> > to keep it from turning.
> >
> > As it turns out, it has started leaking again just a few weeks later
> > and I don't understand whether or not these two issues are or could be
> > related. He checked the axle for straightness at the time which wasn't
> > a problem. Anyone have any thoughts or experience with this? I will
> > take it back in, but wanted to have some ideas ahead of time...
> >
> > Dean