Any full floater hub experts out there...
 

I am replacing the rear hub on one side of my truck. It is a 1998 GMC 2500 with a full floating rear axle. I have the hub off and I know I have to press out the wheel studs and then seperate the hub from the drum. Now here is where I need the help...looking at the hub from the rear there is a seal, inner bearing, race and then a retaining clip, race, and the outer bearing. The outer bearing race needs to rest against the clip, but it presses in from the rear away from the clip. So what it looks like needs to be done is - remove the clip, press out the old bearing and race, drop the new bearing in, press the race in from the back past the retaining clip slot, install the clip, then press the bearing and race in from the front to rest against the clip. Is this right? I can't believe they didn't leave enough space on the front to press everything in from there! It just seems odd to have to press something further in than it needs to go just to have to flip it around to press it in the other way once the clip is installed. Thanks in advance!

HMMMM not sure on that one............I guess my first question would be how "stout" is the clip? Will it with stand the pressure of being pushed like that? It makes sense the way you described it but I have never done one so Im not sure.

It's my first go round as well. The clip is the largest I have ever seen and it was a real mother to get the old one out, but I just wanted to get another opinion and was hoping someone who has messed with one of these could chime in here. I am going to the dealer tomorrow to see if a new one comes assembled and may just go that route. I should do a write up on it in case someone else comes across this.

agreed a write up with pics would be great!!!!

Well the wife had the camera so I wasn't able to take pictures, but I will say after taking this thing a part a few times I am now REAL familiar with the hub, bearing, and brake end of these full floaters. If anyone has any questions about these things I can assure you I will not be forgetting this MISSION any time soon. Sorry for not having pics available!