In rebuilding my Charger, at one point I had disassembled and rebuilt the rear axle. But that was many years ago and in the meantime the car has sat while I finished rebuilding it. Now, I'm at the point where it'll be streetable soon but a thought occured to me- I don't recall whether or not in rebuilding the rear axle if I had packed the rear bearings or not. I do recall at that time I had learned that the rear bearings are not lubed by the rear axle lube, as I had first thought. But at the same time when I replaced the bearings on the axles I had a drivetrain machine shop pull the old bearings off and press the new ones on, and I THINK I recall noticing that they were packed when I picked them up from the shop.

Needless to say I don't want to rely on possibly faulty memories that could cost me a rear axle if I drove it unlubed- is there a easy way that I can verify that the bearings are really lubed, short of dismantling each of the wheel assemblies?
If not I'll do it- I'm just hoping there's a way that I could just inspect the bearings without completely dismantaling the assemblies- but I will do it if there's no other way.....

Thanks!
David

Only way I know on a 8 3/4 is to pull the axles, clean, inspect, repack the bearings, and re-install the axles. Advise to replace the inner axle seal at the same time. The axle bearings on an 8 3/4 are not lubricated from the rear end lube as many think.

Pull the axles out several inches just enough so you can eyeball the bearings & see if they were greased or not & if you're good push the axles in & bolt down the flanges & reset your end play. If not greased then get the hypodermic needle attachment for your grease gun at your parts house & lube them then reinstall them. EDIT pull the axle out just enough so you can access/work with the bearing

Ah ok- I had a feeling there wasn't really a shortcut to this. Better safe than sorry though- thanks for the input!