Wheel Bearing Life

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Oct 29, 2002 | 01:07 PM

racetchr

Thread Starter

Pro

Joined: Oct 2000

Posts: 545

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From: Charlotte NC

Wheel Bearing Life

Anyone know how long wheel bearings should last? Have a noise that sounds like bearings but could be tire noise, just trying to determine which it might be. Thanks for any input!

Oct 29, 2002 | 06:02 PM

Blocktrdr

Burning Brakes

Joined: Aug 2000

Posts: 802

Likes: 0

From: Boca Raton, FL

Re: Wheel Bearing Life (racetchr)

Had one go at about 30K.

Oct 29, 2002 | 06:06 PM

c5boy

Intermediate

Joined: Jun 2002

Posts: 28

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From: Hoschton Ga

Re: Wheel Bearing Life (racetchr)

Search the forum for 'bearing failure', read the discussion thread,
then go to my site:

http://www.c5corvette-diy.com

to see how to fix-it-yourself.

-Jason

:flag

Oct 30, 2002 | 12:03 AM

Bill Dearborn

Tech Contributor

Joined: Oct 1999

Posts: 41,058

Likes: 9,820

From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)

Re: Wheel Bearing Life (c5boy)

I have 23K on my 97 with about 10% of that on the track or autocrossing. This spring I had the right front wheel bearing replaced, then two weeks ago the right rear was replaced because the mechanic and I thought it was the one making the noise which it wasn't. The left front was replaced today and on the way home the major noise I could hear before was gone but I could hear a faint growl that got worse on sharp left steering input. Not sure but it could be the right rear. Not a single one of these bearings showed any looseness. The mechanic that replaced the right front bearing said he could not tell for sure until he actually had it out of the car and turned it with his hands. Then he could feel a slight roughness in the bearing that wasn't in the new one.
Bill

Oct 30, 2002 | 01:13 AM

Jim 47

Melting Slicks

Joined: Jul 2000

Posts: 2,483

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From: Wilmington DE

Re: Wheel Bearing Life (racetchr)

After many hard track miles my left rear bearing had to be replaced at 33,000 miles on the odo and about 6000 miles of that on the track. I'm not sure which (front or back) are prone to fail first, but since most track turns are right turns, the left side brarings get the most punishment.

I think that your wheel bearings will last longer if you can get some cooling air supplied to the hub area. Not only will you most likely have longer bearing life, but your brakes will also stay cooler and give you better and more consistant stoping. My front bearing seem to be OK at present, but I'll be running at Summit Point for 3 days in mid November, and with the left rear bearing going after 3 days at VIR, I'm kind of expecting my left front to be giving me trouble soon.

If you never go to the track or mistreat your car, the bearings should last for 100,000 mile plus. :cool:

Oct 30, 2002 | 09:25 AM

MattG

Le Mans Master

Joined: Apr 1999

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From: Burlington ON

Cruise-In I, II, III, IV & V Veteran

CI-I & II Auto-X Champ

Re: Wheel Bearing Life (Jim 47)

My passenger side rear wheel bearing went out at about 50,000 miles and by the sounds of it my driver side rear is on its last leg right now at 65,000 miles..

I guess all the autocrossing, roadracing and having the car sideways all the time takes its toll on the rear wheel bearings! :)

Oct 30, 2002 | 10:11 AM

leadfoot4

Team Owner

Joined: May 2001

Posts: 87,375

Likes: 1,593

From: Western NY

Re: Wheel Bearing Life (racetchr)

I realize that these are "sealed" assemblies, but isn't there SOME way to disassemble, and repack these bearings?? It would make me feel better knowing that I could do some preventative maintenance.