AFter hearing some ticking sounds at take-off, I checked the U-joints (seemed OK), then checked the drivers side rear wheel and moved it side- to side. there is a little play in it. Does this sound like the wheel bearing? And is it a hard thing to replace?

 

Do a search on Wheel Bearings and you will find more info than you want to know. :smash:

have fun :thumbs:

 

Get the tire up in the air and grab it at 12 'n 6, and try to rock it to and from you. (make sense?) If you've got play, you're in for new bearings. It's an easy job ... easier in front than in back, though.

FWIW, on the back end I've seen two approaches to getting the three bolts off that hold the bearings in place. One was to drop the spring down to gain easy access, and the other was to work around the spring with a u-joint attachment on the socket wrench. Six in one hand, half dozen the other, as far as I'm concerned. If this doesn't make sense, then it will when you get the car up in the air and look at the inside of the wheel from under the car.

(Note: if you decide to drop the spring, be sure to count ahead of time the number of threads showing on the bolt that holds the spring in place ... that way you can adjust your ride height back to what it was originally :) )

Lastly, I've seen quite a variance in prices for bearings ... I think one of the best prices you can find is at zip-corvettes. I think they're available here on the CF by looking under the "Corvette Mall" menu directly above this message.

Good Luck...

 

In case you do end up needing rear bearings, here's a decent deal ($141):
http://store.yahoo.com/corvetteforum/zip-su-664-sc.html

 

The spring is not in the way of the wheel bearings. Dropping the half shafts will make it a bit easier but you dont even have to do that. But new U joints wouldnt hurt either I suppose. JMHO


[Modified by Southern Comfort, 7:46 PM 7/26/2003]

 

No, the spring is not in the way ... but some find it easier to do the job when the spring is out of the way. I can see that way of thinking, though personally I'd work around the spring (it's what I did a month ago :) )

 

Thanks for the advice guys. How hard of a job to replace the U-joints while I'm there? I do have movement at 3 and 9 o'clock, but nothing at 12 and 6.

 

The U joints are the easy parts. Like I said if you search the forum you will find almost anything you are looking for. the search tool is on the left under active user. you will find plenty of good advice and pictures. More than we could write here. Maybe a little too much :eek:

 

I'm in the midst of a rear end refurbish right now. The wheel bearings are already in place and torqued, just working on replacing bushings as I have time.

The rear wheel bearing is not as hard to replace as it's been made out to be. Just make sure that you have a good T-55 Torx socket. I removed the half shaft to make access easier, and the three torx came off without a great deal of effort.

The hardest part I found yet was a rear rotor that had rust welded itself to the hub. About the 10th hard smack with the rubber mallet, it surrendered and came off.

Good luck with it, post if you run into a snag.

 

good info :iagree:

 

I just put new rear bearings in my 91 Z07. I had a Tick/Pop at roll off. It was a very straightforward job; you’ll need a T55 Torx and a 36mm socket for the spindle nut. I snuck around the half-shafts buy rotating them to gain clearance. If your into it that far, think about changing the half shaft U joints. Don’t forget! The Joint that should be used in the aluminum shafts have coated caps to prevent corrosion – and as far as I know are only available from Spicer.

 

If your u-joints are good and there is no play at 12 and 6 it is probably splines from shaft to bearing.
You may be able to cure clicking by putting anti-seize on the splines and torque axle nut somewhere between 180 and 200 lbs. Good Luck !! :cheers:

 

As usual, thanks for all the good advice and help! I will have a whole week off of work in 3 weeks, so I will attempt everything then. I will soak everything in PB Blaster over the weekend so I don't create more hassle than I need to. I'll keep you posted how everything goes. I'll probably have a million questions/problems after I start wrenching

Thanks! ;)