Actually, couldn't agree more! 
Rear Bearings- Lubrication?????
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 457
Likes: 1
From: Royal Oak Michigan
Rear Bearings- Lubrication?????
1980 L48
Can the rear wheel bearings be lubricated without taking the trailing arm assembly apart. I have them out of the car and was just going to paint them- but I thought if they can be lubricated why not? When I say take them apart- I mean to the point where you need special tools to put them back together.
Anyone do this??
Can the rear wheel bearings be lubricated without taking the trailing arm assembly apart. I have them out of the car and was just going to paint them- but I thought if they can be lubricated why not? When I say take them apart- I mean to the point where you need special tools to put them back together.
Anyone do this??
Last edited by Darrel1; Feb 5, 2008 at 09:57 AM. Reason: clarification
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,312
Likes: 70
From: Clearwater FL
The only way to grease them is to pull them completely apart and repack the bearings. At that point, I would get new bearings. You can't drill a hole and put a zerk fitting in the bearing support. You'll just blow the seals out if you put too much in.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 382
Likes: 24
From: Uxbridge Ontario
There is a tool that you can buy from almost all the suppliers which allows you to grease the spindles without taking them all apart. You need to take the half shafts off and what looks like the inside spindle nut, put the tool on, grease, put the nut on and torgue and install the half shafts back on. This is the tool that is mentioned in the GM shop Service Manual. I have the tool but have not used it yet as I am waiting when I R&R the Universal joints in the spring. Corvette central part # 582416. Beware the instructions suck as I thing they think you will use the GM shop manual. I would like to know if anyone has used this tool.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 337
Likes: 10
I have that tool too....never used...probably never will after Dan explained the whole the deal. These guys know these rear ends inside and out....excellent folks. I plan to install rebuilt arms from them soon.
The type of grease used is quite important for long bearing life.
The type of grease used is quite important for long bearing life.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained
Joe Kucinski
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 129
Likes: 7
From: dallas pa
i have one if you need it, just pay the ups, keep in mind you are throwing away your money all these tools are good for is finding out when you go to use them there is too much play and they need to be pulled and replaced anyway-save yourself some time and just replace the bearings and seals. if you follow the gm service manual it is 3 pumps on the grease gun, if you follow the more is better rule it just pushs out the outer seal and it is going to need to be replaced at that point
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 2,897
Likes: 0
From: Moon Township PA
Do yourself a favor and don't do it. If you doubt the condition of your beargings, have them professionally rebuilt.
Gary
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,246
Likes: 4
From: Bay Area CA
If you have them out, I would send them to Van steel for a rebuild. Too much stuff has to be pulled for you to have to do it later, if they later go bad, on the car, this is especially true if they are the originals, and havn't ever been rebuilt before. i believe, if you send the rotors with them, or better yet, have them add new rotors there (shipping savings, and rotors are cheap) they will true them to the rotation when they rebuild them. I had mine done at the local chevy dealer on the car, then had the rotors turned on the car to true them. a good investment. I would also replace the U-joints with spicer solids, "while your at it". 
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,911
Likes: 2
From: gold coast queensland
my cars rear end let a bearing go about 3 years ago in a big hurry and almost shook the steering wheel out of my hands. i contimplated buying a left and a right at the same time thinking if one has gone , more than likely the other will go but i didnt . i just got the one complete bearing assembly from van steel , bolted it on and havent had any trouble since, and i flog the absolute *&%$ out of it...im glad i didnt do the other cause it hasnt gone yet touch wood 3 years later.my shipping to aust was more than the bearing itself haha
Racer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 484
Likes: 0
From: McComb Ms.
send to van steel,a supporting member, they specialize in rear bearing lube and end play adjustment.you can call them and find out what all you can take off to save shipping weight. they're in south florida and have done work for me