Front wheel bearings
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
Front wheel bearings
My 1978 in for inspection and the mechanic says the front wheel bearings need re packed. too much play in wheel. He checked and these were done 2 years ago and total mileage on the car only 900 miles since.???? He is not sure what is going on but should not need to replace or work on them with just 900 miles.
Any ideas?????
Thanks Mark
Any ideas?????
Thanks Mark
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,270
Likes: 4,362
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Mark,
I'm not sure how re-packing the grease in the bearing can affect the 'play' in the wheel.
I'd think it might be that the spindle NUT wasn't tightened properly, or that the spindle bearing surface is worn... but don't see how new grease helps either of those situations.
Regards,
Alan
This is the spindle nut.
I'm not sure how re-packing the grease in the bearing can affect the 'play' in the wheel.
I'd think it might be that the spindle NUT wasn't tightened properly, or that the spindle bearing surface is worn... but don't see how new grease helps either of those situations.
Regards,
Alan
This is the spindle nut.
Last edited by Alan 71; Apr 26, 2018 at 10:51 AM.
Pro
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 708
Likes: 150
From: Minnesota
It's not a big deal. I agree - should go thousands of miles before needing to re-look at front wheel bearings. If THEY did it last time, ask him why it only lasted 900 miles. If they were done 900 miles ago, maybe someone didn't install the spindle nut properly.
I would pull (or have pulled) the bearings and look them over. Replace if there is an issue. After greasing new replacements or a re-pack, tighten the nut on snug (spec is something like 12-15lbft) and then back off far enough to line up the hole for cotter pin. Pin it and you're done.
I would pull (or have pulled) the bearings and look them over. Replace if there is an issue. After greasing new replacements or a re-pack, tighten the nut on snug (spec is something like 12-15lbft) and then back off far enough to line up the hole for cotter pin. Pin it and you're done.
Last edited by JoeMinnesota; Apr 26, 2018 at 12:05 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 23,375
Likes: 1,067
From: Virginia USA
How is he checking the bearings? Is he grabbing the tire (while on the car) top and bottom and wiggling? If that's the case it could be your ball joints making it feel like a loose spindle.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
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
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,226
Likes: 643
From: Orange County Ca
[QUOTE=Alan 71;1597079006]Hi Mark,
I'm not sure how re-packing the grease in the bearing can affect the 'play' in the wheel.
I'd think it might be that the spindle NUT wasn't tightened properly, or that the spindle bearing surface is worn... but don't see how new grease helps either of those situations.
Regards,
Alan
Agree.
You might need a new mechanic.
FYI The spindle threads are fairly course and it is sometimes not possible to get the correct "play" if the threads or the nut are a little worn. A new nut or surfacing the old nut may help.
I'm not sure how re-packing the grease in the bearing can affect the 'play' in the wheel.
I'd think it might be that the spindle NUT wasn't tightened properly, or that the spindle bearing surface is worn... but don't see how new grease helps either of those situations.
Regards,
Alan
Agree.
You might need a new mechanic.
FYI The spindle threads are fairly course and it is sometimes not possible to get the correct "play" if the threads or the nut are a little worn. A new nut or surfacing the old nut may help.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Your "mechanic" is just trolling for more business. You can repack the front wheel bearings and properly adjust the free play in each hub yourself...if you can jack up each wheel and you have pliers and an adjustable wrench (and a lug-wrench to remove the wheel nuts).
Unless you find visual or mechanical problems when you pack the bearings, one morning will get that job done on both wheels. I suggest that you use synthetic grease instead of the stuff specified over 40 years ago.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 2,156
Likes: 273
From: Dunedin NZ.
Were the bearings installed genuine quality items? There have been counterfeit bearings found so I would be inspecting them to make sure that that they are okay. Shouldn't need repacking or adjusting so soon if the bearings are okay and were installed correctly first time round.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
Likes: 2,810
From: Cool Northern Michigan
Like the one before: "how do I get 1,000 HP out of my L48?
Last edited by HeadsU.P.; Apr 27, 2018 at 02:07 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 181
Likes: 6
From: Orlando, FL
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
This mechanic stated that the bearings needed to be repacked...and the wheels were still on the car? If he had indicated that the bearing free-play was excessive, I might think he was O.K. But, if this 'story' is accurate, I wouldn't go back to him.
[I don't know how to tell how well the front wheel bearings are greased by testing the free-play....]
[I don't know how to tell how well the front wheel bearings are greased by testing the free-play....]
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,226
Likes: 643
From: Orange County Ca
Some times it's very hard to get them exactly right. When you pin the castle nut, sometimes 1 slot tighter is too tight and 1 slot looser is too loose. A little loose would be the better choice. Other than that, you can try a new nut, or machine the washer or nut face or get a thicker washer, etc.