Big Foot Rear Bearing

[Mitchell]

Hi All. I am faced with replacing an outer rear bearing in my BigFoot. The service manual calls for "staking" new seals in the "greasable flange" before proceeding with assembly to the axel and bearing installation. (photo attached) Exact manual wording id as follows:

" Using a center punch and hammer, lightly stake around the perimeter of the inner seal in as many places as were used previously."

For those of you that have replaced bearings before, is this really necessary? What does it accomplish? Wouldn't the seals be pinned in place, sandwiched between the bearing race and the outer flange wall. I have seen a video on this forum for bearing replacement and I don't recall this "staking" step used. I would appreciate any opinions or experiences before I tackle this job Thanks.

[trevorakm1]

i just used the fat end of a nail set to push them in place. make sure they are set all around the circumference. seemed to be in the same as the old ones i took out. once it all went back together there isn't any lateral movement and they are sandwiched between the outer bearing flange and the bearing anyway. i followed rock doctors video also and all turned out well and i'm a novice mechanic.