Last week I some how managed to break all my lug studs:mad , well all but one and when trying to move the car out of the road broke it. :banghead: Any way, I worked on the car all day Friday, drilling out the rotor rivets, removing the parking brake components, and denting in the brake back cover enough to weasel in new studs to get the car home. So where do I begin to repair this right, but as inexpensive as possible. I did not have to remove my spindle, and don’t want to unless I have to, I did however have to beat the crap out of my rotor to get it off. My spindle seems to be solid with no play if I try to move it back and forth. I was hoping I can just have the rear rotor turned (or replaced if necessary), replace all the parking brake stuff and go from there. What is everyone else’s opinion? Because I am new to the vette world and independent suspension all help would be extremely appreciated!!

 

I'm guessing you are worried about damage to the spindle. In my opinion, these are pretty tough, but you never know.

I would take your approach before I just blindly replaced the spindle. Have the rotor measured - they will probably tell you if it is too damaged to turn it. If they they can turn it, great. If not, get a new one. You might also have a shop check the runout on the rotor with it on the spindle.

If you drive for a while and the rear bearings/spindle start to make noise or become sloppy, then replace them. If they seem to work OK, then you don't have to replace them until they wear out.

Good luck -

 

If you are unsure about the rear bearings I would recomend pulling the spindles to check their condition. I know it sounds extreme, but take it from someone who overheated both rear spindles. It is cheap insurance. I noticed one of the rear lugs was missing a nut which could not be replaced due to rust and abuse. This was my first indication that the seller of the car had been a bald face liar because the day I bought the car not 3 weeks before he said he had just replaced the rear wheel bearings. Well, I decided to let it go until I started hearing a squeek in the rear end. I stoped at the side of the road and felt of my rear wheel axle shaft on the outboard side it was hot enough to burn my hand. I pulled the spindles only to find the bearings had gotten hot enough to come apart and collect in the bottom of the trailing arm. The actual bearing housing had welded itself to the spindle. When I removed the bearing housing (I would appreciate it if someone would tell me the correct term) from the spindle, I took it to a machinist who told me that the heat had weakened it and that they should be replaced.

Also if you do decide to replace the assembly yourself I would think about taking off the trailing arm and sending to Van Steel. If you decide to pay someone to do it for you, I would strongly encourage you not to use your local GM dealer. Their lifetime repair warranty doesn't cover this repair and in my case 2,000 dollars later I don't think my rear spindles are exactly right.