Crown Automotive 3150046K Bearing & Seal Kit for 76-86 Jeep CJ Series, SJ & J Series with AMC Model 20 Rear Axle

Good

Bearings and seals fit great.

This kit fit and functions as described. It appears to be a quality kit, and probably deserves more stars. However, the install process requires that the outer grease seal dust shield, seal, and drum brake backing plate be installed on the shaft before the bearing and retaining collar are pressed into place (as do all one-piece axle conversions). This is problematic for two reasons: 1) with these components in place, it is very difficult to see when you have the bearing pressed properly into place against the (very small) shoulder on the shaft, and 2) it is near impossible to get the required sealant between the seal and the brake backing plate (unless you do it before hand -- in which case it will likely dry out before you can get the bearing and collar pressed into place, the resulting axle assembly installed in the axle tube, and the parts properly aligned and bolted together. If you're having a shop press your bearings on for you, forget it). Furthermore, if you make a mistake, there is no room for a bearing separator between the bearing and backing plate, so going back means destroying the bearing and collar and starting over with a new set. Unless you are going to stress your axles with a lot of power, large tires, and/or numerically tall gear ratios, I STRONGLY recommend staying with the factory two-piece axles, as they are much easier and more forgiving to work with. I had to replace badly corroded shafts, and if I had it to do over, I'd purchase the replacement shafts and hubs and go back with the factory-style components. Properly installed and maintained (and periodically re-torqued), the factory axle assemblies are more than adequate for the vast majority of uses. If you decide to go with a one-piece axle conversion like this one, just know up front what you are getting yourself in for.