Greasing wheel bearings?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,126
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From: Hudson Falls, N.Y. 76 Vette Modified L-48
Greasing wheel bearings?
I have been contemplating greasing all the wheel bearings and when looking in the Haynes manual, I can't seem to find a description...does anyone know of a web site that describes this procedure?? I've done standard cars in the past....something tells me the vette will be.....ummm, "unique" 
Thanks....
Thanks....
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,659
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From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
The front wheel bearings are the same as any old other chevy and fairly straight forward. The rear wheel bearings are the unique ones. I have not done these so I cannot comment on them.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,126
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From: Hudson Falls, N.Y. 76 Vette Modified L-48
Originally Posted by Eddie 70
The front wheel bearings are the same as any old other chevy and fairly straight forward. The rear wheel bearings are the unique ones. I have not done these so I cannot comment on them.
Somebody will chime in....thanks
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,547
Likes: 12
From: Carbondale Pa.
The rear bearings are pressed on the rear spindle and need to be pressed apart using some special tools, it is quite an involved job. Much more involved then the average shade tree kinda guy would want to handle. Do-able yes, but not an enjoyable thing,,,,,Peace,,,Moosie 
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,126
Likes: 0
From: Hudson Falls, N.Y. 76 Vette Modified L-48
Originally Posted by moosie982
The rear bearings are pressed on the rear spindle and need to be pressed apart using some special tools, it is quite an involved job. Much more involved then the average shade tree kinda guy would want to handle. Do-able yes, but not an enjoyable thing,,,,,Peace,,,Moosie
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$(again)
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,126
Likes: 0
From: Hudson Falls, N.Y. 76 Vette Modified L-48
I know this sounds (probably) rediculous....but is it a sound procedure?
http://www.tracyvette.com/corvetttewheelbrg.html
http://www.tracyvette.com/corvetttewheelbrg.html
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,050
Likes: 2
From: Orange Ct
Originally Posted by kb2fzq
I know this sounds (probably) rediculous....but is it a sound procedure?
http://www.tracyvette.com/corvetttewheelbrg.html
http://www.tracyvette.com/corvetttewheelbrg.html
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 224
From: Pawleys Island, SC
The rear wheel bearing greasing tool is carried by most of the major vette parts suppliers and works great. It only gets the inner bearings though. Definately get one and do it especially if you're disconnecting halfshafts for any other reason.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,725
Likes: 5
From: Minnesota
Originally Posted by kb2fzq
Of course, of course....that's lovely....well, then I assume I should let a pro tackle the rear bearings, huh? Hmmm...I wonder what that will cost?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 5,752
Likes: 4
From: Austin Texas
Originally Posted by Twin_Turbo
The grease tool is an aexcellent way of getting dirt in your bearings.
When your rear bearings need grease they're probably bad and need replacing
When your rear bearings need grease they're probably bad and need replacing
There is only one way to do this job correctly. New bearings, seals and grease. If there are no symptoms, leave them alone. they will let you know when it's time for service. That said, nothing wrong with a little P/M (preventive maintenance).
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
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St. Jude Donor '03,'11
Originally Posted by Twin_Turbo
The grease tool is an aexcellent way of getting dirt in your bearings.
When your rear bearings need grease they're probably bad and need replacing
When your rear bearings need grease they're probably bad and need replacing
So because it can't be done perfectly, don't do anything?
Everybody who has 30 year old dried out grease needs a total rebuild at a shop for $2500?
Thats why people are ****canning these cars in droves. I could buy a new car for the cost of having my car professionally maintained.
Actually considering a Mustang or Saturn Sky because i'm getting sick of all the work. And the wife hates my car and doesn't want to ride in it.. I don't blame her.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 5,752
Likes: 4
From: Austin Texas
Originally Posted by turtlevette
So because it can't be done perfectly, don't do anything?
Everybody who has 30 year old dried out grease needs a total rebuild at a shop for $2500?
Thats why people are ****canning these cars in droves. I could buy a new car for the cost of having my car professionally maintained.
Actually considering a Mustang or Saturn Sky because i'm getting sick of all the work. And the wife hates my car and doesn't want to ride in it.. I don't blame her.
Everybody who has 30 year old dried out grease needs a total rebuild at a shop for $2500?
Thats why people are ****canning these cars in droves. I could buy a new car for the cost of having my car professionally maintained.
Actually considering a Mustang or Saturn Sky because i'm getting sick of all the work. And the wife hates my car and doesn't want to ride in it.. I don't blame her.
Last edited by big_G; Aug 5, 2006 at 12:00 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,053
Likes: 4
St. Jude Donor '03,'11
Originally Posted by big_G
No. Not the point. If not done correctly, it may make things worse. At my shop, rear bearing services for both rears is about $600.00 out the door. Not $2,500. Your right about one thing though...some people should only buy new cars, as the responsibility to keep up a classic like the 'Vette isn't cheap, especially if you don't work on them yourself. Keeping up any 30+ year old car will cost something.
I bet some shops will try to nail you for $2500. I hear horror storys of guys here being taken all the time.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 16,945
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Originally Posted by turtlevette
So because it can't be done perfectly, don't do anything?
Everybody who has 30 year old dried out grease needs a total rebuild at a shop for $2500?
Thats why people are ****canning these cars in droves. I could buy a new car for the cost of having my car professionally maintained.
Actually considering a Mustang or Saturn Sky because i'm getting sick of all the work. And the wife hates my car and doesn't want to ride in it.. I don't blame her.
Everybody who has 30 year old dried out grease needs a total rebuild at a shop for $2500?
Thats why people are ****canning these cars in droves. I could buy a new car for the cost of having my car professionally maintained.
Actually considering a Mustang or Saturn Sky because i'm getting sick of all the work. And the wife hates my car and doesn't want to ride in it.. I don't blame her.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 5,752
Likes: 4
From: Austin Texas
Originally Posted by turtlevette
if you have dry caked up grease in your bearings whats the harm in trying to force in some new?. If they're squeaking you will definietly ruin them if you keep driving. Not a 100,000 mile solution but maybe a 5 or 10k mile band aid. A lot of these guys only put a couple thousand miles per year. Buys them a couple of years to save some money to bring to your shop.
I bet some shops will try to nail you for $2500. I hear horror storys of guys here being taken all the time.
I bet some shops will try to nail you for $2500. I hear horror storys of guys here being taken all the time.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 633
Likes: 1
From: Hamilton, ON, Canada
Probably best to do the job yourself. Then you know it's done right. 2nd best is to have it done by a Corvette specialty shop. I had mine done by a Chevy dealer a number of years ago and they screwed the job up. They rotated the rear rotors from their correct position which caused runout which caused the brake shoes to squeak. They told me the rear wheels were crooked and I needed new wheels. I'll never take the car back to a dealer.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,053
Likes: 4
St. Jude Donor '03,'11
Originally Posted by big_G
The greasing tool mentioned in a previous post does nothing for the outer bearing. If too much grease is pumped in, the outer seal will pop out, and now you're in bigger trouble. If the bearings are squeaking, they are already toast. Not doing it correctly is like putting a band-aid over an already infected wound. I'm not trying to rag on you, but I make my living by doing things right. I don't want my customers hurt, or do unessesary damage to the 'Vette down the road. If they can't afford to fix it correctly, I advise them to park it until they can. JMHO
I even put my jet boat in my neighorhood lake with the vette submerging the whole rear end. Bearings started squeaking a few days later and i just used the bearing greaser to pump more in. Those bearings lasted several more years before squeaking again.
These things can take more abuse than you guys think. Not everybody does everything by the book. I have been running slip fit inner and outer bearings with NO center spacer for 4 years now with no problems yet. I put a butload of miles on my car too. I took it on a 3000 mile trip to the south and two trips to Canada this summer to beat the crap out of it on a road course. I constantly check the play by doing the push at the top of the tire to check for safety.
People should drive the car and have fun with it. The reality is that people are not going to spend 10,000 bucks fixing up a car thats worth 8,000.
Good business for you but not the reality of life. When people park them as you suggest they end up rotting away.
Last edited by turtlevette; Aug 5, 2006 at 01:36 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,053
Likes: 4
St. Jude Donor '03,'11
Originally Posted by big_G
The greasing tool mentioned in a previous post does nothing for the outer bearing.
How long you been a corvette mechanic?
I've been one for 26 years.
Last edited by turtlevette; Aug 5, 2006 at 03:30 PM.