Rear Hub Question
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 6,470
Likes: 2
From: levittown pa. usa Even a bad day with my `Vette, is better than a good day at work
St. Jude Donor '10
Rear Hub Question
I got some info on the search function on the forum, but I just want to be clear before I spend $$$. I just got back from getting my `87 state inspected (PA). With the Classic tags I don`t have to get emissions inspection 
. Anyway, the mechanic said " I`m going to put a sticker on it, but I`ve found something strange". This is an "ASE Certified" mechanic. He proceeded to grab the passenger side rear wheel top & bottom, & twisted the wheel inboard & out. It moves like a ragdoll. He said "I don`t see anything wrong, so I`ll put a sticker on it". He stated that the driver`s side has no movement at all, so he was just letting me know. 
. Question: does this sound like the hub is bad??. It does not make any unusual noises, and should the car have passed state inspection. Oh yeah!, is it dangerous to drive the turnpike in this condition?
Thanks
Ken
. Anyway, the mechanic said " I`m going to put a sticker on it, but I`ve found something strange". This is an "ASE Certified" mechanic. He proceeded to grab the passenger side rear wheel top & bottom, & twisted the wheel inboard & out. It moves like a ragdoll. He said "I don`t see anything wrong, so I`ll put a sticker on it". He stated that the driver`s side has no movement at all, so he was just letting me know. . Question: does this sound like the hub is bad??. It does not make any unusual noises, and should the car have passed state inspection. Oh yeah!, is it dangerous to drive the turnpike in this condition?Thanks
Ken
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,594
Likes: 0
From: CALGARY ab
Originally Posted by kenv
I got some info on the search function on the forum, but I just want to be clear before I spend $$$. I just got back from getting my `87 state inspected (PA). With the Classic tags I don`t have to get emissions inspection . Anyway, the mechanic said " I`m going to put a sticker on it, but I`ve found something strange". This is an "ASE Certified" mechanic. He proceeded to grab the passenger side rear wheel top & bottom, & twisted the wheel inboard & out. It moves like a ragdoll. He said "I don`t see anything wrong, so I`ll put a sticker on it". He stated that the driver`s side has no movement at all, so he was just letting me know. . Question: does this sound like the hub is bad??. It does not make any unusual noises, and should the car have passed state inspection. Oh yeah!, is it dangerous to drive the turnpike in this condition?
Thanks
Ken
. Anyway, the mechanic said " I`m going to put a sticker on it, but I`ve found something strange". This is an "ASE Certified" mechanic. He proceeded to grab the passenger side rear wheel top & bottom, & twisted the wheel inboard & out. It moves like a ragdoll. He said "I don`t see anything wrong, so I`ll put a sticker on it". He stated that the driver`s side has no movement at all, so he was just letting me know. . Question: does this sound like the hub is bad??. It does not make any unusual noises, and should the car have passed state inspection. Oh yeah!, is it dangerous to drive the turnpike in this condition?Thanks
Ken
to determine the problem raise vechicle on suspected side so that the wheel is off the ground
grab the wheel as the mechanic did. while moving check the rear tie rod on both inner and outer connection. if these are solid then you have eliminated this part of the problem.
now do this once more, and pay attention to the hub area carefully, if you see that is is moving.. chances are that the bearing needs to be replaced..
you can buy new bearing/hubs SKF part # BR930024. rear hub assemble.
i do have good used ones listed for sale...make an offer if you like.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 2,281
Likes: 129
From: NOVA
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07
Gee, this sounds sorta kinda like my day....
I take my car in the shop (Goodyear) to have my rear sawblades mounted correctly and have the frontend alignment done. They get the tires done in no time and take the car to the alignment machine. The mechanic grabs the rear left tire and it is moving every bit of a 1/4" and maybe more
Yep, bearings. Now I know where this noise was coming from that I couldn't find.
Anyway, labor $100 and hub assy $300.
I take my car in the shop (Goodyear) to have my rear sawblades mounted correctly and have the frontend alignment done. They get the tires done in no time and take the car to the alignment machine. The mechanic grabs the rear left tire and it is moving every bit of a 1/4" and maybe more
Yep, bearings. Now I know where this noise was coming from that I couldn't find.Anyway, labor $100 and hub assy $300.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 17,551
Likes: 26
From: El Paso Texas
It very well could be a bad hub. But before shelling out the money for the bearing assembly, check your rear control arm (trailing arm) bushings and strut rod bushings. Here's what was causing a good part of the movement on my car.
This was the 3 and 9 movement. The 12 and 6 you're describing could definitely be the hub, but I would eliminate the cheap and easy stuff first. Pay close attention to strut rod bushings.
Oh....and to answer and earlier question, NO movement is acceptable, and YES it's dangerous. No they should not have passed the car....any compromise in handling is unsafe. Fix this problem as soon as possible.
Good luck with it.
This was the 3 and 9 movement. The 12 and 6 you're describing could definitely be the hub, but I would eliminate the cheap and easy stuff first. Pay close attention to strut rod bushings.
Oh....and to answer and earlier question, NO movement is acceptable, and YES it's dangerous. No they should not have passed the car....any compromise in handling is unsafe. Fix this problem as soon as possible.
Good luck with it.
Last edited by Frizlefrak; Apr 16, 2005 at 05:23 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,594
Likes: 0
From: CALGARY ab
Originally Posted by Frizlefrak
It very well could be a bad hub. But before shelling out the money for the bearing assembly, check your rear control arm (trailing arm) bushings and strut rod bushings. Here's what was causing a good part of the movement on my car.
This was the 3 and 9 movement. The 12 and 6 you're describing could definitely be the hub, but I would eliminate the cheap and easy stuff first. Pay close attention to strut rod bushings.
Oh....and to answer and earlier question, NO movement is acceptable, and YES it's dangerous. No they should not have passed the car....any compromise in handling is unsafe. Fix this problem as soon as possible.
Good luck with it.
This was the 3 and 9 movement. The 12 and 6 you're describing could definitely be the hub, but I would eliminate the cheap and easy stuff first. Pay close attention to strut rod bushings.
Oh....and to answer and earlier question, NO movement is acceptable, and YES it's dangerous. No they should not have passed the car....any compromise in handling is unsafe. Fix this problem as soon as possible.
Good luck with it.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 83,383
Likes: 87
From: Boston, MA
Yep, bad rear hubs can easily cause the rear end to "shimmy" back and forth when you transfer from any sort of acceleration to cruise. This is not a good situation and can cause the back end to want to replace the front end under the right circumstances.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 6,470
Likes: 2
From: levittown pa. usa Even a bad day with my `Vette, is better than a good day at work
St. Jude Donor '10
Thanks for the replies folks!. I checked everything, & the only thing that seems to be moving is the hub when I push/pull the wheel in the 12/6 oclock position. Seems odd that the bearing could go when the car only has 36,000 miles on it though 
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