Oh wow, SO lucky it's not damaged!

Good thing you weren't on the highway...

So the bearing seized?

Whew, lucky. I once lost a wheel on the 401 @ 90 kph (Olds Omega) ... not pretty.

I agree.  Looks like a fatigue crack that had propagated over a long period of time - most likely from long before you bought it.

I'm not sure you can attribute that to the bearing, but would have to see all the parts to understand better.  It's quite possible that the axle was nicked at some point (during a previous repair?), causing a stress riser (localized stress concentration), from which a crack could propagate, cracking little by little with each cycle (rotation) or with reversing axial loads (cornering).  As the axle fatigues, the broken surfaces will rub against each other, creating a surface that looks similar to sand on a beach from the waves going over it.  Also, dirt, grime, or rust often makes its way into the crack creating a weathered surface next to the shiny, fresh broken surface that 67 Poncho pointed out.

Just a guess - I personally haven't seen one quite like this before, but maybe it was a well-known issue 50 years ago?  Anybody seen this before?

Yep, brand spanking new axles should be here tomorrow. I will keep the board posted on the repair and the final analysis of what happened. I believe you guy might be right and that the failure might not be bearing related after all.

 

 

 

Well, a couple of thousand bucks later, she's back on the road and riding better than ever.

It cost that much, because I have taken this opportunity to do a bit more than just change the rear axle.

I changed both rear axles, wheel studs, bearings and seals. Changed the rear brakes shoes, rear shocks (front ones were already new), carrier bearing, transmission support and had the drive shaft realigned and balanced.

All in all, a lot of little improvements so that this Parisienne (I now call her Stella, by the way) gives me safe and reliable driving pleasure for years to come.

That's my motto.

Great photo! Love those cars!

What a unique super pic.

Pontiacanada wrote:

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Nice picture.

Is that your work wagon also?

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It's my friend's daily driver. A 1956 Handyman.

 

had to stick my 2 cents in...for all its worth..lol...when i worked in a service station way back in the late 60's & early 70's...the owner of the garage used to cut the old bearings off with a torch..then install a new 1(alot of japanese knock-offs were sold in fake GM looking packaging) used a heavy pipe as a slide-hammer..i think back...YIKES...proper way to do the job is in a press....kinda wonder if that happened to your car???.....Bob