hub/bearing assembly question
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
hub/bearing assembly question
My wife Laurie and I (Kevin) got our first Corvette three weeks ago. It's a 96, Polo Green LT4 with 17500 miles on it. I took it to get Maryland inspected today and was told that the left front hub/bearing assembly needs replaced. They also said the rear need to be tightened. Is this a common issue on Vette's?
Also, the left rear and front right marker lights are out. How tough is it to change the bulb myself, if indeed it just the bulb.
One more thing. Once the radio has been on for a bit it pops and makes a loud pitched noise for a couple seconds. Any ideas? My father-in-law things an amp may be going. Any additional thoughts?
Thanks in advance!!!!
Kevin and Laurie
Also, the left rear and front right marker lights are out. How tough is it to change the bulb myself, if indeed it just the bulb.
One more thing. Once the radio has been on for a bit it pops and makes a loud pitched noise for a couple seconds. Any ideas? My father-in-law things an amp may be going. Any additional thoughts?
Thanks in advance!!!!
Kevin and Laurie
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,491
Likes: 1
From: prescott AZ
Re: hub/bearing assembly question (LnKLT4)
No these are not common issues with the C4 Corvettes. The hubs/bearings are usually good for 100,000 miles unless you are running 335x35x17 tires and using the car hard. It could be a defective front bearing or a sign of a front end accident (even a minor one like sliding it into a curb). Are all 4 tires the original ones?
I do not know what they want you to tighten on the rear end? The hubs are not adjustable. Were they more specific about what needed to be tightened?
Can you go to another inspection station or are you in their computer?
The bulbs are easy to do-if I remember correctly it is just a matter of loosening the screws to the plastic lens and replacing the bulbs.
No idea about the radio- is it the Bose? then maybe the amps.
How much did you pay for the car. I bought my 95 with the exact same mileage last year for $17,500.
Good luck with the car - it seems like a beauty.
I do not know what they want you to tighten on the rear end? The hubs are not adjustable. Were they more specific about what needed to be tightened?
Can you go to another inspection station or are you in their computer?
The bulbs are easy to do-if I remember correctly it is just a matter of loosening the screws to the plastic lens and replacing the bulbs.
No idea about the radio- is it the Bose? then maybe the amps.
How much did you pay for the car. I bought my 95 with the exact same mileage last year for $17,500.
Good luck with the car - it seems like a beauty.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 83,383
Likes: 87
From: Boston, MA
Re: hub/bearing assembly question (skeet)
No these are not common issues with the C4 Corvettes.
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
Re: hub/bearing assembly question (LnKLT4)
Just what exactly did they do to check that bearing? What did they mean when they said 'tighten' the rear one, tighten a bolt? because you cant take it apart or anything.
Wheel bearings are something we all end up replacing and theyre expensive because its a sealed unit especially for the C4.
But 2 of them should not be out on a 17K car, mileage is more important with these things.
Wheel bearings are something we all end up replacing and theyre expensive because its a sealed unit especially for the C4.
But 2 of them should not be out on a 17K car, mileage is more important with these things.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3,424
Likes: 1
From: Tucson Az
St. Jude Contributor
Re: hub/bearing assembly question (LnKLT4)
The bulb holders are accessible from the top, twist and remove.
The hub/bearing assemblies do wear out, in 17,500 miles? Depends on the previous driver??? Who knows??? I'd put the car in the air alittle and check for play all around.......
Enjoy your new toy.
:cheers:
The hub/bearing assemblies do wear out, in 17,500 miles? Depends on the previous driver??? Who knows??? I'd put the car in the air alittle and check for play all around.......
Enjoy your new toy.
:cheers:
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
Re: hub/bearing assembly question (LnKLT4)
Thanks a lot for all of the responses. The receipt and estimate say that "wheel bearings" on both sides on the rear need tightened and one front hub/bearing assembly needs replaced. Is tightening the rear wheel bearings legit?
I'm a little slow and inexperienced but I'm sure I can get the bulbs for the markers changed, we'll see.
Should I get a GM hub/bearing assembly or get it somewhere else?????
Thanks!!
Kevin and Laurie
I'm a little slow and inexperienced but I'm sure I can get the bulbs for the markers changed, we'll see.
Should I get a GM hub/bearing assembly or get it somewhere else?????
Thanks!!
Kevin and Laurie
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Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
Re: hub/bearing assembly question (skeet)
Skeet, we bought ours for 20k. It was an Ebay thing so we're either brave or stupid. It seems to be in pretty decent shape overall. It has a B&B tri-flow exhaust and an SLP (if I recall) intake. I'm a little disappointed to have to put money into it already but hey, such is life. We bought it with 17355 on it. There is also a crach in the top so I'll probably try to locate another one. The previous owner is supposedly going to help get that because he didn't know about it. I need to send some pictures of the crack to him.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 83,383
Likes: 87
From: Boston, MA
Re: hub/bearing assembly question (LnKLT4)
Is tightening the rear wheel bearings legit?
Should I get a GM hub/bearing assembly or get it somewhere else?????
There is a "trick" to the fronts. If you buy a front one for a particular year firebird/camaro it is IDENTICAL to the Corvette one except for the mounting bolts go in the opposite way. Turn the bolts around and save yourself the Corvette tax you would have paid for the higher priced corvette one with the bolts going the right way. I forget what year it is you want to buy, so I'll let someone else remind us all.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,472
Likes: 0
From: Toronto ONTARIO
Re: hub/bearing assembly question (TomH91)
Fronts: 94 Firebrid. Cheap at Pep Boys (I like SKF bearings). Scorp's right, just reverse the bolt direction. Not a hard job. Enjoy your car.
thx
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 83,383
Likes: 87
From: Boston, MA
Re: hub/bearing assembly question (DieL)
im tired to try to understand that :confused: what do you mean by reversing the bolt direction??
thx
thx
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3,424
Likes: 1
From: Tucson Az
St. Jude Contributor
Re: hub/bearing assembly question (scorp508)
Here's a pic, it shows the knuckle without the hub/bearing assy. Look close you can see where the hub assy bolts to the knuckle. The bolts are inserted thru a large hole in the hub flange that the lugs are pressed into.
Hope that helps clear it up.......
:thumbs:
Hope that helps clear it up.......
:thumbs:
