Wheel Bearings
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 12
From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Re: Wheel Bearings (fst_c3)
The rears are nothing like the fronts and require special skills and tools. It is not a normal saturday job. To have it done is also very expensive.
If you are mechanical inclined it is doable but be prepared to work.
If you are mechanical inclined it is doable but be prepared to work.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 4,077
Likes: 27
From: Northeast South Dakota
Re: Wheel Bearings (fst_c3)
Do a search for wheel bearings, or rear wheel bearings as the topic title, search in archived topics and you'll get a whole page of information.
-Justin
[Modified by Dalannex, 7:37 PM 8/10/2003]
-Justin
[Modified by Dalannex, 7:37 PM 8/10/2003]
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 4,397
Likes: 0
From: Looks like I picked the wrong week to stop sniffin glue Orlando
Re: Wheel Bearings (fst_c3)
Here is kinda what your looking to replace he rear bearings. I’m taking mine to Vansteel this week to have em rebuilt. Oh, you WILL need a slide hammer to get the bearing assembly out of the trailing arm. My half shafts each had a bad U-joint, so check em while it’s apart.
Here you can see the person that replaced the wheel bearing last time striped out the threads on the spindle, and used a regular nut instead of a castle nut with a cotter pin.
I really wonder sometimes about these people that do sub standard work…
Have Fun... :D :chevy
[Modified by IBEAM700, 10:39 AM 8/17/2003]
Here you can see the person that replaced the wheel bearing last time striped out the threads on the spindle, and used a regular nut instead of a castle nut with a cotter pin.
I really wonder sometimes about these people that do sub standard work…
Have Fun... :D :chevy
[Modified by IBEAM700, 10:39 AM 8/17/2003]
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,156
Likes: 3,965
From: Connecticut, USA
Re: Wheel Bearings (IBEAM700)
That spindle looks almost as bad as the one I just replaced on a 75. The last "Mechanic" used a torch to cut out the spindle flange to get to the parking brakes. Also rolled the threads on the spindle and smashed them good. Charged the guy who owned the car $1,600 for one set of bearings and rear bushings. As Norval said they are doable depending on your mechanical experiece. You'll need a press and some special tools. Do a search and you should fine a lot of info on the procedure.
Gary
[Modified by gtr1999, 6:54 PM 8/17/2003]
Gary
[Modified by gtr1999, 6:54 PM 8/17/2003]
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 18,478
Likes: 3
From: Quincy IL
Re: Wheel Bearings (gtr1999)
these are do-able, cuz I did mine myself in '99. do lots of research. i used the haynes and chilton manuals, along with my own ingenuity. I used a gear puller to pull the inner bearing off, and used 3 different chisels to slowly tap or "walk" the outer bearing up the shaft. i used the two old bearing spacers, taped together and a 2lb mallet to drive the outer bearing back on. you'll need a run-out indicator to set the bearing tolerance. i local machine shop provided me assistance in this area, my bearings are set at .003". good luck! this is also a good time to check your trailing arm bushings and u-joints. check your end play on the yoke axle shafts sticking out of the differrential. I've put slightly over 7,000 miles on my bearings, no problems, knock on wood!!!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 905
Likes: 0
Re: Wheel Bearings (fst_c3)
Just a quick word of warning. If your bearings are already scraping/groaning/binding or just making noise, be prepared to find them melted and fused on the spindle. Just had mine done by a local source and he ended up torching one side off. The bearings and spindle had become as one :eek: I will add a pic later.
I ended up with a total bill including all new bearings & seals, shims, spacers, etc. ( both sides ) + 1 spindle ( courtesy Gary Gruhala ) right about $540 including all labor. Plus my mech did a perfect alignment on the rear - much better than the local tire shop had done. My car actually rides good now - I never knew it was this smooth. Only problem was on the way home, I ran out of gas. Sitting beside the road waiting for my wife to bring me some gas, 2 C-5's pass by and don't even act like I am there. I am out in the middle of nowhere and they can't even look. I would stop for a Ford if I thought someone was in trouble or needed help. A black 80 came by and was about to stop as my wife pulled up. Kudo's to him if he reads this.
Anyway, I digress. Good luck with your bearings.
STW
:seeya
Robert
76Stinger
I ended up with a total bill including all new bearings & seals, shims, spacers, etc. ( both sides ) + 1 spindle ( courtesy Gary Gruhala ) right about $540 including all labor. Plus my mech did a perfect alignment on the rear - much better than the local tire shop had done. My car actually rides good now - I never knew it was this smooth. Only problem was on the way home, I ran out of gas. Sitting beside the road waiting for my wife to bring me some gas, 2 C-5's pass by and don't even act like I am there. I am out in the middle of nowhere and they can't even look. I would stop for a Ford if I thought someone was in trouble or needed help. A black 80 came by and was about to stop as my wife pulled up. Kudo's to him if he reads this.
Anyway, I digress. Good luck with your bearings.
STW
:seeya
Robert
76Stinger
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Instructor
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
From: Grafton WV
Re: Wheel Bearings (Corvette ED)
Well being stubborn and not listening I have mine out of the trailing arm and need to go to a shop and have the spindle pressed out and have the bearings removed. If the spindle is shot then to Van Steel or somebody to get them already done and then just bolt em back in.
I am a slow learner.
:steering:
I am a slow learner.
:steering:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 8,220
Likes: 208
Re: Wheel Bearings (fst_c3)
I just finished doing mine, already had them done by a local shop, but there were too much play in them, so I took them apart and did it my self. I made a special too I used to get them off and on. It is a PITA job for us who are doing it for the first time, now that I know how it's done it's not too bad. :cheers:
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 4,397
Likes: 0
From: Looks like I picked the wrong week to stop sniffin glue Orlando
Re: Wheel Bearings (fst_c3)
The Saga Continues:
Called Vansteel yesterday and found out they will be at a car convention all this week, so im stuck until next Monday.
I went ahead and changed the differential fluid today. I’m sure all of you know that our vettes don’t have Diff. drain plugs, so I used my vacuum pump to remove the oil.
If you’re like me and can’t afford a 300.00 dollar vacuum pump you can make your own out of an old refrigerator compressor. Checkout the internet for plans to build one. It’s really easy, and you can also use it for working on you’re A/C system.
The oil that came out of the diff. must have been factory because it was real dark, and very thin in viscosity.
The driver side bushing was almost gone, and the passenger side bushing was completely gone. Not one piece of rubber to be found anywhere on the passenger side trailing arm.
Hmmm, maybe that’s why it always went Clunk when you put it in gear. :lol:
Need a new bump-stop on theis side.
Here is the additive you’ll need when changing the diff. fluid. Almost 12.00 dollars at the Chevy dealer. :eek:
[Modified by IBEAM700, 12:19 PM 8/29/2003]
Called Vansteel yesterday and found out they will be at a car convention all this week, so im stuck until next Monday.
I went ahead and changed the differential fluid today. I’m sure all of you know that our vettes don’t have Diff. drain plugs, so I used my vacuum pump to remove the oil.
If you’re like me and can’t afford a 300.00 dollar vacuum pump you can make your own out of an old refrigerator compressor. Checkout the internet for plans to build one. It’s really easy, and you can also use it for working on you’re A/C system.
The oil that came out of the diff. must have been factory because it was real dark, and very thin in viscosity.
The driver side bushing was almost gone, and the passenger side bushing was completely gone. Not one piece of rubber to be found anywhere on the passenger side trailing arm.
Hmmm, maybe that’s why it always went Clunk when you put it in gear. :lol:
Need a new bump-stop on theis side.
Here is the additive you’ll need when changing the diff. fluid. Almost 12.00 dollars at the Chevy dealer. :eek:
[Modified by IBEAM700, 12:19 PM 8/29/2003]
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 4,397
Likes: 0
From: Looks like I picked the wrong week to stop sniffin glue Orlando
Re: Wheel Bearings (IBEAM700)
Just an Update.
Had the T-Arms rebuilt by Van Steel. Highly recomended vendor. They did a great job.
:chevy :chevy
Had the T-Arms rebuilt by Van Steel. Highly recomended vendor. They did a great job.
:chevy :chevy
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 182,997
Likes: 88
From: Lakeland, FL
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII-VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
Re: Wheel Bearings (IBEAM700)
Just an Update.
Had the T-Arms rebuilt by Van Steel. Highly recomended vendor. They did a great job.
Had the T-Arms rebuilt by Van Steel. Highly recomended vendor. They did a great job.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 4,397
Likes: 0
From: Looks like I picked the wrong week to stop sniffin glue Orlando
Re: Wheel Bearings (76Frankenstein)
Is that the new Spal brake cooling fan setup in the first pic ? :jester