rear bearing greasing tool
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From: asheville nc
I have one of the best mechanics probably in the U.S. I think....His name is Arthur and he has one hellva reputation here in WNC.
When I was commuting 120 miles a day to college and back, my rear spindle on my 68 vette starting making a noise....I was poor...had very little fix the vette money.
I took it to my super chevy corvette mechanic and he said you need more grease in the spindle bearings....I know where the bearing is and if you want, and I have never tried this but I think it will work, we will drill and tap the rear spindle housing and put in a grease fitting....after about an hour, we had it done, put in grease and have never looked back...that was in the early 70's.
He charged me $5.00 to do it....I said lets do the other side now...then I got a real dirty look...but it was done also....I have greased them about one time since then about a year ago when I had to put on new brake lines as you have to remove the caliper to grease it....yes, I did give him a very nice tip.
When I was commuting 120 miles a day to college and back, my rear spindle on my 68 vette starting making a noise....I was poor...had very little fix the vette money.
I took it to my super chevy corvette mechanic and he said you need more grease in the spindle bearings....I know where the bearing is and if you want, and I have never tried this but I think it will work, we will drill and tap the rear spindle housing and put in a grease fitting....after about an hour, we had it done, put in grease and have never looked back...that was in the early 70's.
He charged me $5.00 to do it....I said lets do the other side now...then I got a real dirty look...but it was done also....I have greased them about one time since then about a year ago when I had to put on new brake lines as you have to remove the caliper to grease it....yes, I did give him a very nice tip.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,373
Likes: 6
From: Baltimore MD
I have one of the best mechanics probably in the U.S. I think....His name is Arthur and he has one hellva reputation here in WNC.
When I was commuting 120 miles a day to college and back, my rear spindle on my 68 vette starting making a noise....I was poor...had very little fix the vette money.
I took it to my super chevy corvette mechanic and he said you need more grease in the spindle bearings....I know where the bearing is and if you want, and I have never tried this but I think it will work, we will drill and tap the rear spindle housing and put in a grease fitting....after about an hour, we had it done, put in grease and have never looked back...that was in the early 70's.
He charged me $5.00 to do it....I said lets do the other side now...then I got a real dirty look...but it was done also....I have greased them about one time since then about a year ago when I had to put on new brake lines as you have to remove the caliper to grease it....yes, I did give him a very nice tip.
When I was commuting 120 miles a day to college and back, my rear spindle on my 68 vette starting making a noise....I was poor...had very little fix the vette money.
I took it to my super chevy corvette mechanic and he said you need more grease in the spindle bearings....I know where the bearing is and if you want, and I have never tried this but I think it will work, we will drill and tap the rear spindle housing and put in a grease fitting....after about an hour, we had it done, put in grease and have never looked back...that was in the early 70's.
He charged me $5.00 to do it....I said lets do the other side now...then I got a real dirty look...but it was done also....I have greased them about one time since then about a year ago when I had to put on new brake lines as you have to remove the caliper to grease it....yes, I did give him a very nice tip.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
Adding the zerks is an old-school mod per the Chevy Power book, Corvette Chassis section, page 6-7, Figure 13. As mentioned, the tool only does the inners. Looks cool in the specialty tool drawer tho...
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Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
Not really. The bearings are greased 'for life'.
'Life' is defined at about 40K miles or so, at which point they need to be disassembled, thoroughly cleaned, regreased/replaced and the end clearance reset. Randomly adding more grease without doing all of the above does not clean out the old stuff and risks popping the shaft seals and have contamination throughout the parking and service brake.
Front wheels bearing are pretty much the same idea, just easier to get at.
'Life' is defined at about 40K miles or so, at which point they need to be disassembled, thoroughly cleaned, regreased/replaced and the end clearance reset. Randomly adding more grease without doing all of the above does not clean out the old stuff and risks popping the shaft seals and have contamination throughout the parking and service brake.
Front wheels bearing are pretty much the same idea, just easier to get at.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,192
Likes: 343
From: Allenton Wisconsin
so 94599 miles is to long between service intervals? had a squeaking noise in back last season, over the winter put new half shaft joints in and purchased one of those greasers, still had a squeak though not as bad. should have all parts any day, time to go through the trailing arms. to busy today as I'm finishing up with replacing the valve seals. these old cars are just so much fun!!!!!!! exciting to drive and entertaining to work on
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From: asheville nc
Yes i heard of doing that ,i dont think i have anybody around hear that knows anything about how to do it.You use to be able to buy swing arm assemblies with a grease fitting aready in them ,from a company ,which i forgot their names,i dont know if they sell them anymore.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,795
Likes: 435
From: Aarhus, Denmark
It was a long time ago, close to 40 years ago, but I remember that the housing was really thick as we drilled for a long time. Arthur magnitized the drill bit and would remove it often and clean the bit. It was not that hard but you have to know where to drill. If I had the rear calipers off, I would take photos for those that wish to fix their spindle bearing noise. I have driven the car very little but lasting 40 years so far is testiment to it does work...I do drive it pretty hard when its driven 2-3 times a week...its a pretty strong 327 and there is no nicer sound like a quadrajet thats been called upon.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From: asheville nc
I am working on a 49 chevy fleetline right now in the basement and it has taken up the whole basement with parts everywhere and the vette is at my girlfriends temp and hard to take all I need to work on it there.
I will talk with Arthur today or tomorrow and ask him if he remembers where to drill...even though he is 85 now, he still has all of his auto knowledge as he raised hel . with me last nite about my wiring on the 49...when we first cranked it sunday, it would not turn off.
I will talk with Arthur today or tomorrow and ask him if he remembers where to drill...even though he is 85 now, he still has all of his auto knowledge as he raised hel . with me last nite about my wiring on the 49...when we first cranked it sunday, it would not turn off.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,795
Likes: 435
From: Aarhus, Denmark
I am working on a 49 chevy fleetline right now in the basement and it has taken up the whole basement with parts everywhere and the vette is at my girlfriends temp and hard to take all I need to work on it there.
I will talk with Arthur today or tomorrow and ask him if he remembers where to drill...even though he is 85 now, he still has all of his auto knowledge as he raised hel . with me last nite about my wiring on the 49...when we first cranked it sunday, it would not turn off.
I will talk with Arthur today or tomorrow and ask him if he remembers where to drill...even though he is 85 now, he still has all of his auto knowledge as he raised hel . with me last nite about my wiring on the 49...when we first cranked it sunday, it would not turn off.
It would be nice to hear where is it. I made my tralingarms last yar, but I would love to give them a grease nippel too.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From: asheville nc
We are probably talking 1/2 day to do all of this as I have slowed down working on cars...not nearly as fast as I used to be.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,795
Likes: 435
From: Aarhus, Denmark
I talked with Arthur a day or two back....he said he just guessed at where to drill but thought it was in the right place...and he also told me he had drilled it at an angle...he said I would have to remove the grease fitting and fit a long piece in the housing and get the correct angle in addition to where to drill.
We are probably talking 1/2 day to do all of this as I have slowed down working on cars...not nearly as fast as I used to be.
We are probably talking 1/2 day to do all of this as I have slowed down working on cars...not nearly as fast as I used to be.
I have a good idea where it is now, I will do this on my car, the next time I will make "a break job" on the rear wheels.
I did my arms last year, but I think this is a very good solution, and a solution that cost no Money, only a bit of time.
Regards from Denmark,
John
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From: asheville nc
Great 68L79 I've been looking out for your reply.
I have a good idea where it is now, I will do this on my car, the next time I will make "a break job" on the rear wheels.
I did my arms last year, but I think this is a very good solution, and a solution that cost no Money, only a bit of time.
1969 Corvette, New bearings in my tralingsarms - YouTube
Regards from Denmark,
John
I have a good idea where it is now, I will do this on my car, the next time I will make "a break job" on the rear wheels.
I did my arms last year, but I think this is a very good solution, and a solution that cost no Money, only a bit of time.
1969 Corvette, New bearings in my tralingsarms - YouTube
Regards from Denmark,
John
By the way....love Trivolia Gardens in Copenhagan...had a Elephant beer there about 2 am...still daylight...What a great country you live in....when I told the beer girl we would have a couple of beers...she cracked up....and said "yeah...sure". About half way thru the 1st beer I was pretty wobbly....barely made it thru that first one.
That was in the 70's...was there just one day...loved the canal and everyone sittling around enjoying life.
I saw a bunch of beautiful blondes etc downtown and told one of the officers we were with...Look they are filming a movie over there...he laughed and laughed and said for $13.00 , you can play a major role in the movie....these young ladies were so beautiful, I did not believe it and we went and asked...yep...no movie.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,795
Likes: 435
From: Aarhus, Denmark
We still have that beer, and it is a good beer :-)
If you go into Carlsberg Head Office here in Denmark, then you can see where they have the name from. As you can see on the Picture, there are 4 Elephants.
Regarding the girls here in Denmark, I am glad to say, the it is the same, NOTHING have changed :- )
If you go into Carlsberg Head Office here in Denmark, then you can see where they have the name from. As you can see on the Picture, there are 4 Elephants.
Regarding the girls here in Denmark, I am glad to say, the it is the same, NOTHING have changed :- )
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From: asheville nc
We still have that beer, and it is a good beer :-)
If you go into Carlsberg Head Office here in Denmark, then you can see where they have the name from. As you can see on the Picture, there are 4 Elephants.
Regarding the girls here in Denmark, I am glad to say, the it is the same, NOTHING have changed :- )
If you go into Carlsberg Head Office here in Denmark, then you can see where they have the name from. As you can see on the Picture, there are 4 Elephants.
Regarding the girls here in Denmark, I am glad to say, the it is the same, NOTHING have changed :- )
The first thing I saw getting off the bus was one beautiful blonde blue eyed 20 something girl and wearing a red knit sweater with nothing underneath riding her bike toward us....I melted....and I was married to a very pretty girl that they flew from Memphis to Houston, TX to model for American Motors at that time.
I remember the GM plant there that made Opel's I think it was...not sure about that though.
Would love to come back to your country .... lots to see there. I think I still have the mermaid in the harbor girl statue.
Okay...its late...had a nice birthday meal today from my girlfriend and back to the sob 49 fleetline tomorrow....its going to be super nice if and when ever it gets finished.
Frenched in 59 caddy taillights and frenched headlights, MII, 700R, built 283 chevy, air, p trunk, tilt, pw, p antenna, etc sitting nice and low.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From: asheville nc
John, by the way....thank you so much for the photo of the elephant beer....people think I am making up a good story about Copenhagan here...its a story okay...but a real one.
However, there is one thing I did not like...we were served some danish ham sandwiches on the plane going back to Spain....something about that grey poupon mustard...you really had to acquire a taste for it and I never did....went back hungary but full of visions of the most beautiful women in the world.
However, there is one thing I did not like...we were served some danish ham sandwiches on the plane going back to Spain....something about that grey poupon mustard...you really had to acquire a taste for it and I never did....went back hungary but full of visions of the most beautiful women in the world.