Well It happened my 1st break down with the vet. This is the 1st time I had to have anyone of my cars towed for that matter. Im driving to work and next thing I know I smell brake burn smell. So im thinking and looking in my mirrors and what do you know I see smoke right rear wheel. I stop and its smoking. Dumb me I think I can make it home like I have done few times before with other cars.

I make it to the nearest turn around and start heading home and the brake light comes on and now there is a rubbing sound and then I see sparks so I pull over. I get out and the wheel is leaning inward like its going to fall off. The rear wheel bearings are shot and probably the spindle. So contact tow company and get wife on her way to help if needed.

The guy that showed up is a owner of a well know shop and wins the pikes peak hill climb every year and knows alot about older corvettes. He also knows alot about the vet rear setup due to them
using them on there race cars some years back . Well anyway he said they could fix it and recommended the slip setup and said they never had any issues with it. He also said if I wanted to fix myself he would lend me the tools to save me some money. Nice offer anyway.

I have read all the articles on the repair and doesnt seem to hard should I repair myself or get it done at his 80.00 hr rate. I asked him how much for the repair and he said that he couldnt tell me due to the bearing may be seized and more parts may need to be changed which makes sense. I have never done this job before but know alot about cars.

What tools should I buy and if I do the slip setup then I wouldnt have to buy the setup tool. I know that some do not recommend doing the slip setup and a 6000 miles a year or so I put on the car the service every 5 years isnt a big deal so I might not want to do that anyway. Or send out for rebuild. What are most of you guys doing with this rebuild.

Sorry for being so long

 

When I get to that point I'll be sending mine off. Trailing arms and rear end.

I probably COULD do it myself but I would rather have a professional do it in this case.

 

I have never done this job before but know alot about cars.

Based on your comment, I would say DIY. Save money, learn and have the satisfaction

 

I have done this myself before on other C-3's. On the car I have now. I sent the TA's off for blasting, powder coating, new bearings, seals, front bushings, SS parking brake hardware, shoes, backing plates....I don't think I left anything out..
Much happier with the results ....and the peace of mind. Best of luck
Mark

 

If you have never done a rear wheel bearing before I would recommend that you have someone with experience do it.

 

I've swapped both rears myself with rebuilt assy's. Can be done in a weekend.

 

Thankyou for your responses, I was 2 weeks from parking the car for the winter so I have time to figure what my best option is. I hate the thought of having someone do it for me because I need to do both side to be safe and want to do e-brake shoes and u-joints on half shaft while its apart. I will do more research and get a assembly manual which I need anyway. I had other plans for the car this winter but that is how it goes. Im glad it happened now so nothing keeps me from driving the car come spring.

Best Regards

 

Here's a write-up I did when I redid mine. I didn't think it was all that difficult.

http://www.corvetteforum.net/c3/zwed...railingarm.htm

 

but even they had to start somewhere

 

Thankyou for the link I missed that one. I not only want to do a good job but want to make it look nice also and wont pay anyone to do that for me so I will be doing it myself. Will do a fiber spring and shock and other stuff now is as good of time as any.


Thanks again you guys are awesome

 

This is one of the very few things I did NOT do when I rebuilt my 79, if I would have seen zwede's writeup back then, I would have done it myself! Great writeup - and I also went the extra mile to get spicer u-hoints (most auto parts places now only sell the cheap chinese products! ).

 

Here's another write up that may give you some insight, I'm in the process of doing mine right now. You need to make sure you have your patience hat on, but you can do it. I haven't had a chance to look at ZWEDE's write up but that's where I'm going to look at right now.

ltlevil

Sorry forgot the links
http://www.digitalcorvettes.com/foru...ng+arm+rebuild
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...earing+rebuild

 

Thankyou for more links I wish my work computer wouldnt block out the pictures, have to wait till I get home to see the pics. I cant wait to get started on mine. Hate to look at the vet with the right rear tire not strait. I have to wait till I get back from the philippines before I can get started on mine after the end of the month. As always this happened at the wrong time.


Thanks again and good luck on your project.