C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

81 rear wheel bearings

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 30, 2018 | 09:46 PM
  #1  
2tone81's Avatar
2tone81
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 28
Likes: 1
From: Hart Michigan
Default 81 rear wheel bearings

Right rear wheel bearings went out this weekend. From what I read It’s best to send them out to be set up properly. My questions then are do I need the spindle knocker tool to disassemble, how far do you take apart and what all gets sent in, who’s the preferred rebuilders. I was thinking Willcox ,but open to suggestions.
Reply
Old Apr 30, 2018 | 09:53 PM
  #2  
redcruz1120's Avatar
redcruz1120
Drifting
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,498
Likes: 206
From: Pearland Texas
St. Jude Donor '09
Default

Originally Posted by 2tone81
Right rear wheel bearings went out this weekend. From what I read It’s best to send them out to be set up properly. My questions then are do I need the spindle knocker tool to disassemble, how far do you take apart and what all gets sent in, who’s the preferred rebuilders. I was thinking Willcox ,but open to suggestions.
I did this myself but if I was sending them out I would send the whole trailing arm assembly complete!
Reply
Old Apr 30, 2018 | 10:06 PM
  #3  
Peterbuilt's Avatar
Peterbuilt
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,426
Likes: 1,559
From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
Default Cheap special knocker tool.

Take the nut off and bring to home depot or lowes and find a bolt that fits the nut and get a 'pipe cap' to match.
Bring it home and hammer away.

I agree, send the whole trailing arm away.
Reply
Old May 1, 2018 | 09:08 AM
  #4  
drwet's Avatar
drwet
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,232
Likes: 656
From: Thunder Bay
Default

Remove the complete trailing arm assemblies and send them off for rebuilding. Van Steel comes highly recommended. You don't need any special tools, although you may need a sawzall to get the trailing arm bolts out if they're badly rusted.
Reply
Old May 1, 2018 | 09:13 AM
  #5  
jim-81's Avatar
jim-81
Drifting
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,743
Likes: 289
From: Chardon Ohio
Default

Depending on if they have ever been removed or not and how rusty and what not everything is down there it could be 'not too bad' or 'a f***ing b*tch' to get them off. If the strut mount is difficult I would buy the strut rod removal 'nut'. Guys say that a pipe plug will work too, never tried that. The removal nut is around $18 from the Corvette venders. That's the strut mount. The hinge pin can also be very difficult depending on what condition the shims are in. Mine was difficult and it wasn't even rusty. Most guys end up cutting through the shims and pivot pin with a sawzall, which is what I did. Lots of threads on here about this.

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...e-a-trick.html

Good luck!
Reply
Old May 1, 2018 | 09:14 AM
  #6  
jim-81's Avatar
jim-81
Drifting
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,743
Likes: 289
From: Chardon Ohio
Default

Oh, and since you are in MI, I would recommend Bair's Corvette in Linesville, PA to rebuild the arms. They are always very nice to work with.
Reply
Old May 1, 2018 | 09:42 AM
  #7  
drwet's Avatar
drwet
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,232
Likes: 656
From: Thunder Bay
Default

Originally Posted by jim-81
Depending on if they have ever been removed or not and how rusty and what not everything is down there it could be 'not too bad' or 'a f***ing b*tch' to get them off. If the strut mount is difficult I would buy the strut rod removal 'nut'. Guys say that a pipe plug will work too, never tried that. The removal nut is around $18 from the Corvette venders. That's the strut mount. The hinge pin can also be very difficult depending on what condition the shims are in. Mine was difficult and it wasn't even rusty. Most guys end up cutting through the shims and pivot pin with a sawzall, which is what I did. Lots of threads on here about this.

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...e-a-trick.html

Good luck!
Absolutely correct. I forgot about the strut rod/shock mount. You will need the strut rod removal 'knock off tool'. It gives you something to beat on so you don't destroy the threads.
Reply
Old May 1, 2018 | 09:48 AM
  #8  
drwet's Avatar
drwet
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,232
Likes: 656
From: Thunder Bay
Default

Originally Posted by jim-81
Oh, and since you are in MI, I would recommend Bair's Corvette in Linesville, PA to rebuild the arms. They are always very nice to work with.
Many years ago I sent Bairs my original power steering control valve from my '66 to be rebuilt. They kept my original part and sent me some generic replacement. When I called them on it, they pretended they didn't know what I was talking about. You only get to do that to me once.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old May 3, 2018 | 10:27 PM
  #9  
2tone81's Avatar
2tone81
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 28
Likes: 1
From: Hart Michigan
Default

Why not just replace bearing and hub assembly, and leave the trailing arm alone?
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To 81 rear wheel bearings





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:38 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 11:09:53


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE