chucks88

I successfully managed to get the hub/bearing into two pieces :eek: and was wondering if I should use Crisco or Ky for re-packing the grease.

All kidding aside when I was checking the play in the hub, while trying to remove it, the tire side of the hub came off in my hand. I must have starred at it in my hand for a minute wondering what would have happened if I hadn't noticed the play in the wheel during the 12:00/6:00 test and was out driving this thing.

M2001

I have a couple of new rear hub bearings on the shelf of my garage and they look to be sealed. I never heard of packing new rear hub bearings with grease. The new units are already packed with grease and they should be ready to drop in.

PonyH8R

Very true. They should not be taken apart. When I bought mine the guy said I do not have to worry about greasing it as it is sealed and already packed.
:eek:

Aggravated4life

Hey guys,I think you misunderstood the post because he said he was kidding.Seeing the bearing come in half like that shows how serious the damage couldve been if it came off while driving.

Also,you gotta clean that spindle yoke up.If theres rust and etc,get it off and coat with some antiseize because if not,the rust on there will cause a clicking noise later.
:)

chucks88

At least somebody understands my sence of humor :cheers:

Thanks Bill

PeteL

:eek: :cry :eek:

chucks88

8 hours of labor on the hub and still only 1 of 3 bolts are out. I'm running out of patience and ideas. I even went out to Homeboy Depot and picked up a new torch with mapp gas, thinking the hotter temps may help break them loose.

I'm exhausted and am going to bed. I was hoping to get this done for the "All Chevy Show" in Farmington, CT on Sunday. Unless I finish it up by about 11:00, looks like I'll be taking the Altima.

After replacing the intake gaskets over the last two weeks I figured this project would be a breeze.

:sleep:

Corvette0096

I would just get some high temp wheel bearing grease and hand pack them. Make sure you put new seals in. Or you can just drill and tap them and put in grease zerks.. :lol:

Sharky Guam

I enjoyed the humor in your posts.
:yesnod: :lol: :yesnod: :lol: :yesnod: :lol:

However, there is a way to pack sealed bearings if anyone needs to do just that. If you ever need to, contact me and I will tell you how. It is an old time mechanic's secret.

I am glad that you caught the problem in time. I have seen what happens when the rear hub bearing seizes and the hub breaks and sends the tire flying off. It is not a pretty sight.

An oxygen/acetylene torch is much better for heating surfaces. However, if you can get a MAP gas torch with a concentrated flame, it may help.

Good luck!
:cheers:

GlockLT4

:eek: :eek: :eek:

Oly

That is exactly what happened to my rear wheel bearing/hubs when we replaced all (4) wheel bearing/hubs last year. Kinda scares the crap out you, doesn't it? When I rotate my tires every 5K I always give each wheel the 12/6 and 9/3 shake test; that's how I found the problem last year.


'92 LT1

RED92LT1

Exact same thing happened to my 92 ... wheel had play and the bearing separated when I removed the axle nut. This is where is gets interesting ... the axle nut was so loose that I didn't have to apply any pressure to remove it. That's why I had play in the wheel/bearing, and it's also what caused the bearing to separate from where it is press fit into the inner hub. My bearing was not noisy ... did not show any signs of scouring in the inner race and had plenty of grease.

If you think about it, under the conditions I described ... there is no way the bearing could separate unless you lost the axle nut which should be a castle nut with cotter pin. After realizing what caused the bearing play in my 92 it is probably a good idea to periodically check for proper axle nut torque.

Brian



[Modified by RED92LT1, 9:50 AM 6/11/2002]

chucks88

Brian,

I hear ya, other than the 12:00/6:00 test I wouldn't have known. My nut was only hand tight as well.

ittlfly

I hate to bring this up but are you going to do the ther side seeing just how much fun you are having? :lol:

chucks88

Do you want me to take you out back and shoot you :p:

BBA

Chuck...if you put heat on it...the aluminum support will expand increasing the stretch tension on the bolts.

You need to do it cold, with a good torx bit and a long handle flex head ratchet, maybe with an extension.

Either that or drill out the bolts from the hub side, then put new bolts in with the new hub.

69shark

And he's not yoking around :jester :lol:

chucks88

:rolleyes:

gcrouse

Cool- I didn't know you could take them apart! :D

Seriously though- you gotta love GM- instead of disassembling the spindles and replacing a couple of $10 bearings, we get to buy sealed hubs for over $200 a pop! Truly scary how close to $1000 you can get just replacing wheel bearings (especially if your vette is old and only worth $5K).

mash557

Good point about the bearings, but with the abuse(very spirited driving) that some Corvettes see, keeping wheel bearings adjusted could be a major pain. 166 ft lbs on that spindle nut when you reassemble Chuck.