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So I've been digging into this a bit. Worried once I manage to enjoy an HPDE this year I'll be looking at replacing 'em. Atleast based on the horror stories 🫤 X-tracker kit is still available thru Vansteel for the fronts, but no ETA on the rear kit. Sure be nice to get those 30-spline stub shafts! I found some hit or miss stuff about late 90's 4wd S10 hubs working on the rear. Maybe with some massaging of the ABS leads🤔 Anyone done this? Any other options besides seasonal bearing replacements 🤷♂️
These were mentioned for the 27-spline S10 option, listed as an X-tracker design but fitting our spindles.
Certainly other options available spec'd for the S10, but not sure if std stuff is any better than our corvette replacements?
My current hubs have maybe 10,000 hard miles on them and they have a bit of play and noise now. The C4 feels pretty sloppy in the back ones those hubs start to wear. Definitely not confidence inspiring.
Are your current hubs original style or X-tracker?
my current hubs are oem style and I know rear hub issues are a common C4 complaint so I figured the X-tracker was worth a shot, even if they may take some massaging to get to fit inside the parking brake assembly
Looks like I'll be installing these sooner than planned. I broke an outer axle shaft at the drag strip yesterday. No better time to swap the hubs than that haha
This discussion was had recently on FB group C4 Corvette racing.
the SKF BR930097 (part of their X-Tracker line) is a popular, high-performance upgrade that fits the rear of 1984–1996 C4 Corvettes.While they are widely regarded as a "bolt-on" upgrade, there are critical installation details to be aware of:Parking Brake Clearance: On mid-80s C4s (like the '86), the bearing housing might interfere with the drum parking brake lever mechanism. It may be necessary to grind or mill a small portion of the hub surface to provide clearance.ABS Sensor Clearance: The ABS wheel speed sensor on the BR930097 can interfere with the stainless steel brake shoe shim. The shim will need to be clearanced, or the sensor can be unbolted and removed if you do not use ABS.Wiring/Plugging: If you remove the ABS sensor, you must plug the hole to prevent debris from entering the bearing.Performance Benefits: These bearings offer increased stiffness (\(+50\%\)) and better load capacity, reducing rotor knock-back during hard cornering.Alternative Use: These bearings are often listed as front hubs for 97-05 Chevy Blazer/S10, but they fit the C4 rear axle perfectly.The rear wheel bearing replacement process involves a 36mm socket for the axle nut and a T-55 Torx bit for the three hub bolts, which are typically torqued to \(66\text{ ft-lb}\) (bolts) and \(166\text{ ft-lb}\) (axle nut).
This discussion was had recently on FB group C4 Corvette racing.
the SKF BR930097 (part of their X-Tracker line) is a popular, high-performance upgrade that fits the rear of 1984–1996 C4 Corvettes.While they are widely regarded as a "bolt-on" upgrade, there are critical installation details to be aware of:Parking Brake Clearance: On mid-80s C4s (like the '86), the bearing housing might interfere with the drum parking brake lever mechanism. It may be necessary to grind or mill a small portion of the hub surface to provide clearance.ABS Sensor Clearance: The ABS wheel speed sensor on the BR930097 can interfere with the stainless steel brake shoe shim. The shim will need to be clearanced, or the sensor can be unbolted and removed if you do not use ABS.Wiring/Plugging: If you remove the ABS sensor, you must plug the hole to prevent debris from entering the bearing.Performance Benefits: These bearings offer increased stiffness (\(+50\%\)) and better load capacity, reducing rotor knock-back during hard cornering.Alternative Use: These bearings are often listed as front hubs for 97-05 Chevy Blazer/S10, but they fit the C4 rear axle perfectly.The rear wheel bearing replacement process involves a 36mm socket for the axle nut and a T-55 Torx bit for the three hub bolts, which are typically torqued to \(66\text{ ft-lb}\) (bolts) and \(166\text{ ft-lb}\) (axle nut).
Interesting, I need to keep this in mind when mine are due for replacement. Would you happen to know what the installation procedure would be like on a 96?
When replacing the rear hubs, there is a seal you can buy to help keep dirt/water out. It came on the 84, but they stopped putting them on after that for some reason. But the seal is hammered into the knuckle from the outside.
Also, first time I replaced hubs, I replaced the washers and coating it and the splines with antisieze. When I did the hubs for the 2nd time, the antisieze did keep the splines from rusting. I cleaned everything up and this time I used high temp wheel bearing grease from Amsoil, the Dominator or whatever, and coated the washers and packed the splines. This way to help keep water out, and to help take up slack. As apparently I've read some issues for the rear hub area wearing is the slack between the hub and splines/spindle. And so packing the splines with grease I think would help reduce this as grease, like water, doesn't compress.
Interesting, I need to keep this in mind when mine are due for replacement. Would you happen to know what the installation procedure would be like on a 96?
the install would be as described, apparently the ABS wiring will work on later C4 (that is from people who have done the swap with later C4s saying that)
Got the swap done in my 85. Had to replace a broken ujoint and mangled halfshaft anyway so it was a good time to knock it out. It is amazing how fast these hubs wear out and how significant the wear affects handling and feel through turns. After the hub swap the unnerving "oversteer" feeling during quick steering inputs is gone. The real test is going to be longevity. I'm at 75,000 miles now so I'll keep track of how long these last me. The last OEM style set made it about 15,000 miles and probably needed to be replaced 5,000 miles ago. Took a quick video of a little test drive after the install.
One bummer that will turn into a bit of a science experiment. I ordered 2 SKF bearings but one of the hubs sent was a Moog 513124. The SKF fit perfect with no grinding needed, it has no access holes in the hub face though , so it does make lining bolt holes up and any needed parking brake shoe service a bit more difficult. I just chopped up the ABS sensor to keep it in there as a plug. The Moog needed quite a bit of material taken off of 1 side to clear the parking brake strut bar. Either way, but SKF and Moog hubs are beefier looking than the stock units and I'm hoping that translates to more than double the original useful life of the OEM parts.
Rear wheel bearings ?
