The Hillman & Chrysler Avenger Forum

"Bear" with me this is my 1st time!

Join me on a Journey!

Up until around 2019 we had a Helpy Old Timer Garage to go to in Dvk and things changed / retired

in 2016 the Last job was to do both rear wheel Bearings, not long after in November in what was one of me cars last trips through the now closed Manawatu Gorge Road the Spider Gears decided to meet the pinion & ring gear

how I learnt a Spot weld on the Spider gear shaft can go a LONG way if you ever have access or diff out

any-who : the dilemma was now what!

My Yard to the rescue = Chrysler Sedan for the 'Newest' version possible (Leaving the Wagon Diff for "Rally car" Spares)

Knowing there were recently new Bearing on the Axels decided to swap the housing over & keep Brakes & axels together (mixing parts, should be ok, right? RIGHT!)

f-fwd 2019 = a Fail a WOF on Bearing Leak left rear, park car up in the Shed @ our 'new home' to us & focus on Kids & Datsun for 6 years

Time to sort that for Daughters 1st day of School in October coming up

Knowing I touched it last, I recall cranking the axel in with the 4x 1/2" 'nylocks' as it was a bit stiff going in.....

and now there was around a 1/4" slop L>R in the housing, driving it about a bit I figured this was the wrong bearing for the setup or 'new diff'

Smoko-chat says pull it & punch the housing to swell to fit the bearing & it 'should seal' as the seal is in the bearing etc

so get 'er out of the shed to focus, disassemble, like we're talking loose, one handed pull of the Axel, yep the Mount plate is bent allowing slop

give it a few taps with a punch, oh, hang on. I've got the Bearing type with an O-ring, the O-ring is MUNTED

take it into local Parts place = we've never seen that before

/ What's you're rego, OK weird the GLS Rego not working give the Race car rego ('78 1300 GL 'not a Chrysler') no O-rings try "your Guy" in PN

everyone else I chat to "Avengers don't have O-rings"

a few mention it will be the same as Mk2 Escort

Look these up & yep https://www.burtonpower.com/wheel-brg-kit-r-mk1-2-ford-escort-inc-rs-qwb148c.html

(https://www.burtonpower.com/media/catalog/product/cache/712bb27378f19d5b01e8002f9ac1b1c9/Q/W/QWB148C.jpg)

or https://palmside.co.nz/products/english-axle-beaing-for-standard-axle?_pos=1&_sid=075d40aa6&_ss=r

or

A keen eye will spot the O-ring @ the top, in a groove

again "Avenger's don't have that, even a few Escorts don't have that

ok well I do & the Drivers / Right side is fine (We pulled it later in the story to verify)

still with me? This should be simple for those 'in the know'

now DVK is relatively isolated in times like this, and I'm supposed to be the Avenger 'Expert'

this is my 1st time Dealing with Bearings

we might as well be on the MOON : the Escort group couldn't even tell me about the O-ring

I even emailed a UK Bearing Site with the 411546 Bearing kit for Mk 2 Escort about the O-ring & availability or Part #

their reply which i thought was odd =

QuoteHello,
Thank you very much for your message.
Would you be so kind as to provide the dimensions of the O-Ring — specifically, the inner diameter and thickness?
Please don't hesitate to contact us if you need any further information.
Best regards

a dead end = ON THE MOON (how many 411545's variations are there? (Number cleaned from the internet photo's see below there are no numbers on the one we Cut off)


Fine, gotta do Brake Shoes too : call Graeme Ekins PN = yep here's Recon Shoes, Cardboard seal x2 (I never did that last time) a "free" Haynes and Part #'s for Bearing's with suggestion to visit our Local SKF for the O-ring to try and rescue the setup

(https://akiwijoker.tinytake.com/media/179a3e4?filename=1754289835700_TinyTake04-08-2025-06-43-50_638898866330080789.png&sub_type=thumbnail_preview&type=attachment&width=798&height=302)

also equivalent to a Borg & Beck: BWK022 (NO O-Ring)

https://classiccarparts.co.nz/borg-beck-rear-wheel-bearing-kit-ford-capri-cortina-escort-bwk023?srsltid=AfmBOopJsGOT-vl0bZdEatmriJiklFaqtTHI3H1LIxV7IGCr1yRra51s

got side-tracked with Mortgage Broker & House builder's appointments (another story) thinking I have #'s I'll just get 2x new 'Propper' Bearing sets & go from there

(https://akiwijoker.tinytake.com/media/179a3f0?filename=1754289989961_TinyTake04-08-2025-06-46-22_638898867851775623.png&sub_type=thumbnail_preview&type=attachment&width=800&height=651)

Armed with that info thinking I am 'Smrat' (Miss-spelled on purpose) I end up on Repco Website and order 2x Wheel Bearing Kit - WBK2736
SKU: A1208362 @$41 each from Feilding Store

sweet bargain, should work

after all it does say

(https://akiwijoker.tinytake.com/media/179a3fc?filename=1754290124548_TinyTake04-08-2025-06-48-23_638898869227587836.png&sub_type=thumbnail_preview&type=attachment&width=324&height=304)

QuoteWITH SALISBURY DIFFERENTIAL

What is that? No one know's, What I DO know is that they are NOT Avenger Bearings way too big and I could Hula-hoop the Bearing on the Axel AFTER Cutting off the O-ring less 'good bearing' thinking, oh yeah : we're on the right path, this will be a 5-minute Job (car is still in workshop on Axel stands since Sunday Lunchtime, its now Monday Night)

there are no Specifications listed (ID OD etc)

we were not on the right path

I very much doubt even if anyone can show me a Salisbury Diff : or  the axels that suit it, will not be that BIG

Right, now what? Lets go closest Repco (Tremaine Ave PN) and return them before Closing time for a Credit & pray they might have info or right bearing

Zip over the New Highway, arrive store, Kaleb (Is awesome) cant give refund as I don't have Invoice # (I don't have invoice # ONLY my Order # which apparently do not co-relate between stores (we'll come back to this)

Info there (and on their screen) = I should get a Repco Wheel Bearing Kit - WBK2742 SKU: A1171944 @ $134 each (OUCH)

https://www.repco.co.nz/parts-service/driveline/wheel-bearings/repco-wheel-bearing-kit-wbk2742/p/A1171944

image direct from the Site relevant to each post : these may disappear over time

(https://www.repco.co.nz/medias/sys_master/images/sys-master/images/h86/hec/10891820302366/A3734706_2/A3734706-2.jpg)

It has an O-RING (Groove?) I'm not yelling : just making sure this is getting read

none in Stock Feilding may have one, but it's too close to Closing time to make it, call back tomorrow to sort credit

oh well we're here, let's go Rangitikei St Store, pop in Supercheap next door on the way

Nice lady there is up front "We do not sell bearings here, try Repco Next door OR I can look on the system for you

=

(https://akiwijoker.tinytake.com/media/179a457?filename=1754291403531_TinyTake04-08-2025-07-09-56_638898881999729843.png&sub_type=thumbnail_preview&type=attachment&width=574&height=415)

(I must be close to character limit be prepared for part 2 in next post soon)

Auckland Bearing Wheel Bearing Kit - AB2792 @  $102.99 each

Details https://www.supercheapauto.co.nz/p/auckland-bearing-blmc-rear-wheel-bearing-kit/SPO2945831.html

well I have a credit @ Repco, so leave store with a Trailer Winch Handle I didn't need 8)

Plan is to return to Local Parts store with the GOOD Axel we bought with us just in case and sort it like I should have 1st

Pop in Repco 'Next door' Lady there HEAPS Helpy too, here's what you had (Returned) here's the dimension's on my screen, yeah that would have been way big, the dimensions for the one you need should be good, oh well, we walk the dog & leave our calling card and return Dvk (its back to around 40 mins each way these days @ 100kph'ish)

return Back to local Store with "good intact axel" (they use a Napa system) man was busy says leave it with me

see it does have a ring, yeah thats what I tried to get 1st time, now we have this

(https://akiwijoker.tinytake.com/media/179a47c?filename=1754291813111_TinyTake04-08-2025-07-16-47_638898886092183876.png&sub_type=thumbnail_preview&type=attachment&width=542&height=508)

+

(https://akiwijoker.tinytake.com/media/179a47f?filename=1754291854948_TinyTake04-08-2025-07-17-18_638898886523126871.png&sub_type=thumbnail_preview&type=attachment&width=504&height=495)

at home

5 minutes after getting back to work

"Does your car have a Salisbury Diff"

nope been there that Why I came back, I mention the Mk2 Escort part

"Oh I can search my car & get that detail, are you sure you only want x1? like really really sure, they might not be available for much longer"

only x1 please, I don't intend to do this again in my lifetime / I want to see it fit first

So now I wait

I hate shopping online but enjoy learning

if someone has a Actual working link for Bearing Set or can verify the above, please do

we may help someone in the future

(Like the TradeMe Parts that say Suit Avenger but are not : the Steering Rack End-links and Joints)

there will be around 8x of you "oh you should have just asked or use these = *insert link*

yes I searched the forum, no Part #'s here

Lets get a 12 Month Wof in September!

I got lost in my own story, anyways

it took ALOT of self control to not 'just order' what should be the 'right Repco' one (after all I have a credit)

Plan A is always best, hand over good one, say get that, not hard

ANYWAY

Ph call to Repco Tremaine, Sarah : Hi credit please, I cannot find the Invoice # on any emails after searching inbox : doesn't exist

Says :Ok try Feilding & call us back (the Source via online order)

Bob @ Feilding says : Oh they should be able to access that via your ON the 1st 2 digits are your Customer # then use the OQ screen to get to your rewards account...... anyway here's your Invoice #

(I Write down 12 digits ending in 88)

Back to Kaleb @ Tremaine : naaah mate that's a Jump Pack (I;ve not bought one of those for years & certainly not from there)

Back to Heather @ Feilding : ahh it's *85 and seriously they should be able to see that Rewards account via your Cell Number (1st mention of this) and nah you dont get any Invoice #'s with online sales (weee grr from me)

Tremain Sarah : ooh cool good to know we'll try that & we'll both learn, nah ell Ph don't work, what the invoice # please

sorted 

All GREAT to deal with : no complaints there just weird hence NO ONLINE purchase unless I know it is going to work

So yeah, you've had a laugh, we learned stuff, please supply or verify correct NZ Bearing kit

I wont be the 1st, or last to suffer

I want to move car out of mates shed, not enough room in mine to swing a rat (Hence exploring Building options) other wise it would be out in the rain on my Gravel drive etc

Wow what an effort!! I'm frustrated just having read about it...

Good luck

ahh yeah and Darren is adamant I need this one : being TradeMe the link will expire

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/car-parts-accessories/oil-additives/listing/5450020440

Borg & Beck Rear Wheel Bearing Kit Ford Capri Cortina Escort- BWK022

this is their website https://classiccarparts.co.nz/borg-beck-rear-wheel-bearing-kit-ford-capri-cortina-escort-bwk022

has the O-ring mentioned and matches the good side (Image to come as its with parts guy here now)

Everyone else still says No O-ring other than Darren

also will edit top post to  411546 from the TM photo's clear as day

oh & yeah the Escort Group I'm in (4x108 Wheels)

the general consensus was get the "right SKF Bearing" (+ Collar + Seal : yes there's 3x parts to a kit I found out)

4! If you count the replacement Flange below

I say again : this is my 1st time sorting these sorts of Parts

was "Just toss the o ring and use sealant."

no thanks, the seal is 'not just in the bearing' yes its a sealed Bearing

the kit comes with a Seal too

(https://www.rockauto.com/info/758/SS3069-1-US.jpg)

From www.rockauto.com (Cricket Parts)

(https://www.rockauto.com/info/427/WJB_WBRW109R_1.jpg)

Subtotal   NZ$62.82 for 2x Sets + $60 shipping = $145'ish

I just want to know what works

Even the Escort guys keep saying "No O-ring"

Are there 'early' and late' versions?

(https://akiwijoker.tinytake.com/media/179b70a?filename=1754389147115_TinyTake05-08-2025-10-18-42_638899859413710709.png&sub_type=thumbnail_preview&type=attachment&width=1200&height=763)

Text so you can google or find these later

QuoteDifferential bearing : 2 x LM48548 - LM48510 / Pinion bearings : M88048-M88010 and M84548-M84510 / Rear wheel bearings : 2 x A.B.S. 200594 ( search similar FORD : 5007031) / Pinion Oil seal Payen NA550 or similar : ID 38.1mm (11/2 inch) OD 60.452 (2.38 inch) Width 12.7mm (1/2 inch)

that list = https://spareto.com/products/ab-s-wheel-bearing-kit/200594

(https://cdn.spareto.com/variants/images/001/213/104/medium/converted-20230216-363987-19rkkh0.jpg?1676535694)

or https://spareto.com/oe/5007031

(https://cdn.spareto.com/variants/images/000/249/853/medium/vkba-769.JPG?1610113657)

(No - O-rings) ore are they also stock images OR a better / worse version? I am still confuse

ok : Part arrived yesterday, no-one told me until today hah :/  Repco WBK2742

www.repco.co.nz/parts-service/driveline/wheel-bearings/repco-wheel-bearing-kit-wbk2742/p/A1171944

NOTE : Repco says it does NOT fit an Avenger : it does, and time will tell if we are wrong

I did not order this : it was supplied etc

so cross off the Suggested "Repco WBK5329" or the "Supercheap Akl Set" for now unless someone tests those

did I mention I took in my good axel to local Parts place here, said get that, they say its same "Mk2 Escort"

(https://i.imgur.com/fFUm3hV.jpeg)