rear squeaking - wheel bearings?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 276
Likes: 1
From: Brentwood CA
rear squeaking - wheel bearings?
I have an 89 coupe.
At first I thought it was the indicator tab on the brake pads. Sure enough the pads were thin so I upgraded the pads/rotors/lines. Unfortunately the same squeak is still there.
When I start to move from a complete stop, I hear a (rotational) squeak up through ~10-15mph - any speed beyond that and the squeak seems to go away. However it is kind of embarrassing to drive a Vette in a public parking lot that squeaks like a beater.
Does this sound like a wheel bearing going bad? Or could this have something to do with suspension, like say a bushing or something?
At first I thought it was the indicator tab on the brake pads. Sure enough the pads were thin so I upgraded the pads/rotors/lines. Unfortunately the same squeak is still there.
When I start to move from a complete stop, I hear a (rotational) squeak up through ~10-15mph - any speed beyond that and the squeak seems to go away. However it is kind of embarrassing to drive a Vette in a public parking lot that squeaks like a beater.
Does this sound like a wheel bearing going bad? Or could this have something to do with suspension, like say a bushing or something?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,160
Likes: 1,733
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
bearing issue, but it would be wise to replace the U-joints while its all off
in that case only use Spicer Cold forged joints
in that case only use Spicer Cold forged joints
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,940
Likes: 5
From: Chesapeake VA
My 86' is doing the same thing. Like the OP I replaced the rotos and pads to no effect (The rotors were below minimum thickness anyway so no wasted cash). My squeak is coming from the driver rear wheel. Sounds like a "reet, reet, reet" as the wheel turns at slow speed.
How hard are wheel bearings to replace?
Special tools required?
Is it worth it to buy the hub assembly and go that route?
How hard are wheel bearings to replace?
Special tools required?
Is it worth it to buy the hub assembly and go that route?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 276
Likes: 1
From: Brentwood CA
Racer
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 312
Likes: 0
From: Mesa Az
wheel bearings
I replaced the rear wheel bearings on my 88 last fall. Had rear up on jack stands, removed wheels, and unbolted bearings from back of hub.
Pulled old bearings out and slid new ones in and bolted down. Not a hard job.
Pulled old bearings out and slid new ones in and bolted down. Not a hard job.
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,160
Likes: 1,733
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
C4 bearings are a sealed hub/assembly, thats why they are so expensive. You cant just do the bearing.
Tom's Differentials sells the joints, you'll need 2.
Tom's Differentials sells the joints, you'll need 2.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 276
Likes: 1
From: Brentwood CA
I just so happened to have replaced the front wheel/hub assemblies on my 95 Blazer 4x4, which look like the EXACT same parts. God had my back on that one - I couldn't figure out what this awful drivetrain vibration was....all the way to bakersfield, pismo, then back to oakdale....
By the time I pulled the hub, the ball bearings fell to the ground, along with metal chunks of the inner hub.
I'm definitely replacing these hubs NOW while it's still just a smooth squeek.
By the time I pulled the hub, the ball bearings fell to the ground, along with metal chunks of the inner hub.
I'm definitely replacing these hubs NOW while it's still just a smooth squeek.
