loiq

Someone posted a question on here a couple weeks ago about what exactly makes the hubs spaced further apart on the 88-96 from the 84-87. Can someone simply change the wheel bearing/hub assempbly on a 84-87 to the 88-96 or are the uprights/knuckles different? Anyone know what the difference is and if the early models can be converted easily? :confused:

Ramanstud

I know the knuckles are different, and I believe even the `84 knuckles are specific to the year (dunno if `85-87 knuckles are bolt on or not). I believe you also have half-shaft length and associated suspension parts to worry about (tie rod ends, spring, spindle support rods...) because the offsets are so different.

In other words, to swap in a later (88+) rear, I *believe* it has to be virtually everything but the diff. - But I'm not 100% on that.

:cheers:

loiq

I'd believe that Ramanstud. I wonder why GM changed it? :skep:

MrNuke

I'm not sure about the rear, but I know to transplant new hubs and stuff to the front you will need new upper and lower a-arms. That's where I got stuck at, so I gave up transplanting a '94 brake setup on my car..(Which by the way will be up for sale soon).. :D

loiq

Nuke, sounds like something that would happen to me. :sad: :lolg:

Ramanstud

I'm not sure why the `84-`85 rear knuckles changed, unless it was just a strength/design improvement like most other things throughout the years. But later years changed to accommodate larger 17" rims and bigger rotors/calipers. The change in offsets may have been to keep the rear suspension geometry in tact... but the precise when & why's I simply do not know.

vader86

Things were redesigned because of the new suspension geometry, and the larger wheels/brakes.

GM felt that people complained so much about ride harshness in the early models that it needed to be redesigned, and the need to compete with other sports cars in braking. (Corvette was already one of the very best, but GM wanted to stay at or near the top.)