1973 wheel bearing issue?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 126
Likes: 2
From: Belmont MI
1973 wheel bearing issue?
I'm new to the c3 group, had an '85 for 12 years.
I just purchased a '73 roadster and I'm getting a little whump, whump noise from the left rear. I've checked the wheel, and I'm getting some play at the 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock positions, but not any at 3 and 6 o'clock. Right rear appears good and snug.
Is this a wheel bearing issue or something else in the control arm assembly? I did a little digging and don't really see where the movement could be coming from.
A little history on the car: over 120k miles, stored winters in MI, driven hard in the 70's (car was NCCC race winner multiple times). Hasn't been driven much in the last 5-10 years. I'm the second owner and have known the owner since the late 70's. Most issues were dealt with.
I'm in the process of changing fluids (oil, ps, coolant, brake bleed, etc.). Didn't realize there were so many lube points on the suspension!
Thanks for any and all replies.
GRAPIDSSTEVE
I just purchased a '73 roadster and I'm getting a little whump, whump noise from the left rear. I've checked the wheel, and I'm getting some play at the 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock positions, but not any at 3 and 6 o'clock. Right rear appears good and snug.
Is this a wheel bearing issue or something else in the control arm assembly? I did a little digging and don't really see where the movement could be coming from.
A little history on the car: over 120k miles, stored winters in MI, driven hard in the 70's (car was NCCC race winner multiple times). Hasn't been driven much in the last 5-10 years. I'm the second owner and have known the owner since the late 70's. Most issues were dealt with.
I'm in the process of changing fluids (oil, ps, coolant, brake bleed, etc.). Didn't realize there were so many lube points on the suspension!
Thanks for any and all replies.
GRAPIDSSTEVE
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,372
Likes: 4
From: Springfield VA
Take the wheel off to see if the studs/hub is moving on its own or the entire trailing arm is moving?
If the entire arm is moving then could be your shims rusted/worn out or the bushing is bad. If its just the studs/hub then probably need to have the trailing arm rebuilt.
Welcome to the 73 "middle child" Corvette Club.
If the entire arm is moving then could be your shims rusted/worn out or the bushing is bad. If its just the studs/hub then probably need to have the trailing arm rebuilt.
Welcome to the 73 "middle child" Corvette Club.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,079
Likes: 1
From: Niagara Falls ON
I had the same thing. I put the spare tire on that side and the sound stopped. It was my tire. I couldn't see or feel anything on the tire but something was wrong with it.
Of course I had thought it was the bearing so I changed those. It was probably the tire that caused the bearing to wear faster.
Anyway, if you can move the wheel while standing under it you will definitely see if it is the bearing. The spindle will move within the trailing arm and it is very noticeable.
Of course I had thought it was the bearing so I changed those. It was probably the tire that caused the bearing to wear faster.
Anyway, if you can move the wheel while standing under it you will definitely see if it is the bearing. The spindle will move within the trailing arm and it is very noticeable.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 126
Likes: 2
From: Belmont MI
The tires are Firehawk Indy series and they have less than 500 miles on them. The wheels are American Racing Victor or Victory series and are in excellent shape.
I did have the wheel off and I was able to get a little play in the rotor assembly.
My inclination is to do a rear end job on this thing and be done with it. Take it all the way down to the differential, rebuild the trailing arms, and new u-joints and bushings all the way around. I did that on the '85 and liked the results. Just don't like the down-time it takes to do it.
Thanks for the replies!
I did have the wheel off and I was able to get a little play in the rotor assembly.
My inclination is to do a rear end job on this thing and be done with it. Take it all the way down to the differential, rebuild the trailing arms, and new u-joints and bushings all the way around. I did that on the '85 and liked the results. Just don't like the down-time it takes to do it.
Thanks for the replies!
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
Best determine exactly which components are worn prior to throwing money at the car, unless you just like spending money.
The whump whump you describe might just be a bad u-joint. The play at 6-12 o'clock is very common, probably more that half the C3s on the road have some- the sky is not falling and that's not the source of the noise anyway. If there's no play at 3-9 o'clock then it's probably not the wheel bearing.
BTW- there are no lube points on C3 rear suspension, unless somebody has substituted aftermarket stuff.
The whump whump you describe might just be a bad u-joint. The play at 6-12 o'clock is very common, probably more that half the C3s on the road have some- the sky is not falling and that's not the source of the noise anyway. If there's no play at 3-9 o'clock then it's probably not the wheel bearing.
BTW- there are no lube points on C3 rear suspension, unless somebody has substituted aftermarket stuff.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5,339
Likes: 546
From: Central Texas
I don't want to hijack the thread but I'm having the same noise. I don't want to start a new thread so here goes. The whump whump starts as I come to a stop. It's in the left rear also. There is very little to no movement at the wheel. I have changed ujoints, rear end fluid, and adjusted the parking brakes very loosely. Is this a bearing on the way out? Can the noise be fixed by lubing the trailing arm bearings with the special tool that is used for that purpose? I want to take a long trip in the car but I'd like to find out what this noise is first. My car is an '81 if it matters.
