Wheel Bearing Bad?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 309
Likes: 5
From: La Crosse,WI,USA
Wheel Bearing Bad?
My 93 Coupe has grease or black residue around the front wheel bearings. Is this a sign they are going bad or just normal?
I bought the car last year and the edges of the front tires are worn but it seems to be in alignment.
Is the jacking up and checking play the only real indicator? Do you need a dial indicator or just feel? Just don't want to have problems this summer driving.
-Thanks,
Charlie
I bought the car last year and the edges of the front tires are worn but it seems to be in alignment.
Is the jacking up and checking play the only real indicator? Do you need a dial indicator or just feel? Just don't want to have problems this summer driving.
-Thanks,
Charlie
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
When you grab the tire at 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock and can feel movement when you shake the tire toward the car centerline, typically meas the bearing is gone. They are a sealed unit and there is no provision for adjustment or greasing/repacking.
Wearing on just the inside or outside of the tread is usually an indication of alingment problems but you may not feel it in driving.
Jack the car up and check the bearings and if they feel solid (no play at all) then have a reputable shop do a 4-wheel alignment. Cost should run around $100-$130 for this. There are places out there that will try to tell you that a Corvette alignment is hundreds of dollars aand that you will need ball joints, tie rod ends, shocks, etc.
High mileage cars may need some of this work so you need to make sure that you observe the insopection if possible. Any movement in the ball joints or tie rod ends should be dealt with before an alignment is done.
Wearing on just the inside or outside of the tread is usually an indication of alingment problems but you may not feel it in driving.
Jack the car up and check the bearings and if they feel solid (no play at all) then have a reputable shop do a 4-wheel alignment. Cost should run around $100-$130 for this. There are places out there that will try to tell you that a Corvette alignment is hundreds of dollars aand that you will need ball joints, tie rod ends, shocks, etc.
High mileage cars may need some of this work so you need to make sure that you observe the insopection if possible. Any movement in the ball joints or tie rod ends should be dealt with before an alignment is done.
