1978 rear wheel bearings
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 120
Likes: 4
From: Virginia
1978 rear wheel bearings
On my 78 the bearings(rear) slipped off the spindle. Im doing a frame off on this car. Car sat for almost 20 yrs. has 57k miles. Before takeing spindle/hub apart there was no problem, no play or ruff spinning. Brgs. race, and spindel look good no pitting or discoloration. I thought the brgs were a press fit or are 1978s a slip fit? Any imput?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,232
Likes: 656
From: Thunder Bay
They are a press fit. If the bearing came off the spindle, you've got major problems. I would recommend sending them off to someone who is experienced in rebuilding Corvette trailing arms and have the entire assembly rebuilt. Might as well do the other side while you're at it. Van Steel is a good choice.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,428
Likes: 5
From: Japan
Not sure what the exact diameter of those spindles is supposed to be but it sounds like yours has somehow worn undersize, which would likely necessitate replacement. Perhaps Van Steel, et al could chime in with that info so you could measure it/them...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 805
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From: Naperville Illinois
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,231
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From: Ontario
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Race Director
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From: South Western Ontario
The bearings should be a press fit.
Arguing that "a slip fit works for the front spindles so it'll work for the rear spindles just as well" is just plain wrong. Think about this. Stand a roll of electrical tape on it's edge. Stick a pen or other suitable round object through the middle. Roll the pen against the bottom of the tape so it moves the tape back and forth. See how the pen rolls along inside the roll of tape as both are rotating. The same type of thing will happen with a slip fit. You need an interference fit so the spindle and bearing race don't move against each other.
It works for the front because the spindle and bearing don't rotate. The outer race is the one that rotates with the hub and it's a press fit.
Since you're doing a restore you'll have to knock it all apart anyways so you can take a closer look then. If new bearings aren't a pressed fit then it's time to replace the spindle.
Peter
Arguing that "a slip fit works for the front spindles so it'll work for the rear spindles just as well" is just plain wrong. Think about this. Stand a roll of electrical tape on it's edge. Stick a pen or other suitable round object through the middle. Roll the pen against the bottom of the tape so it moves the tape back and forth. See how the pen rolls along inside the roll of tape as both are rotating. The same type of thing will happen with a slip fit. You need an interference fit so the spindle and bearing race don't move against each other.
It works for the front because the spindle and bearing don't rotate. The outer race is the one that rotates with the hub and it's a press fit.
Since you're doing a restore you'll have to knock it all apart anyways so you can take a closer look then. If new bearings aren't a pressed fit then it's time to replace the spindle.
Peter
