What Gary said, thats how I learned it
Bearing Setup Tool
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,930
Likes: 15
From: Calgary Alberta
Bearing Setup Tool
Where can I buy the bearing setup tool for the trailing arms? I am referring to the tool which is used to setup bearing endplay. I've heard that you can make your own...but how? Any pics?
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,871
Likes: 6
From: Sault Ste. Marie Ontario
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
From: Morton Grove Il
Rear end set-up tool
I bought mine at Mid America. I did my own with the help of Gary. Read his instructions carefully and you should be able to do yours. I measured the end play with just a little oil on the bearings. Do not fully grease them until after you get the end play correct. I used a dial indicator to get the 1 thousanth end play. It was not that bad. I also bought the pack of shims. Depending on the condition of your existing spindels, you may need to combine 2 shims to get the correct end play. Also torque the bolt before you check the end play. Disassemble, pack the bearings and reassemble. Was actually fun to do. Very satisfying to do your own work. Besides I can always sue myself if anything ever goes bad. Good luck. Do not hesitate to email gary or me if you run into problems. This Forum is great for help.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 187
Likes: 1
From: Sioux Falls SD
If anyone is interested I have the bearing setup tool for sale with instructions and I also have two spindles already machined down so the bearings are a slip fit. That is why I had to buy the tool in the first place. The guy who installed the spindles the last time talked me into machining the spindles for a slip fit on the bearings. I drove it to Sioux Falls and back one year and the bearings spun on the spindles. Ruined the spindles or at least I didn't trust them anymore, turned them blue. I never even thought about using them for the setup. That's a good idea. I also have a four inner seals. Two are original GM I bought back in the 80's. I have all the shims about 5 ea. in all the sizes. Three thrust washers. Anyway I have a lot of the parts to do the spindles I need to get rid of.
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