Rear wheel bearing replacement ?

Hi
As my 68 big block's aft brakes keep pulling air , I'm getting fed up with constantly needing to bleed them.
So I measured disk runout the way Chilton's manual does by clamping a gauge to the callipers.
The aft R/H disk has 0,002 " runout, as per Chilton, up to 0,005 " is OK.
But the L/H aft disk has 0,009 " runout of which about 0,008 " goes to bearing play, very little to actual disk runout.
Looks like if I need to replace this bearings.
Can this be done on the car ?
Is it very difficult ?
An exchange or overhaul is the last option, I want to take due to the overseas problems.
Thanks for every advise.
Gunther

Gunther, from what my 82 shop manual says, it should be done on a bench. You have to pull the races and the oil seals. I don't know if you can do this on the car.

Hi

Just found an article in CORVETTE FEVER issue June 2001 about mid-year rear bearing replacement without removing the trailing arm.
So, it is possible and I will try it. Some special pullers are recommended and I will see if I have equivalent available or if I need to purchase.
So, where can I get a good replacement bearing set that includes the dust seals ?

Thanks. Gunther

Can post a copy of that article. this woud be great I really dont want to remove the trailing arms, theres gotta be a better way.

Hi

It sound easy in the article if you have the tools.
Special puller
a fake spindle to set up the bearing spacer measurements
caliper runout checker gauge.
All are available at any of the big parts guys ( ZIP, CA )
I also got told that pulling the bearings in situe is not possible when they are corroded ( frozen ) in.
I will see this winter.
Give me your Fax number and I will Fax the 3 pages to you.
Gunther

I did my bearings a few years ago. I lost the left rear so I had no choice. I did but don't mind the grease and labor. My spindle was gone since the bearing welded itself to the axel. So I replaced it. I removed the Trailing Arm and rebuilt it. At that point its just alittle more work. Also I should mention I did both sides. Rebuiling that is. A friend turned me on to an article that ran in Corvette Fever on turning down the axels for an interference fit that would allow for 1/4% less hassel when greasing or packing outer bearings. Which what was toasted on mine because the previous owner didn't take care to do so. I had a machine shop turn the axels as per the article and it is slick. Matter of fact I just finished repacking the bearings a week ago. If interested I'll try.... to post. (not very PC literate). Also once this is done no special tools required.

I've been needin' to do this for a year or so. mine are so bad I don't even like driving the car anymore. I look in the Ecklers cats and it's like $400 for special tools! I'm not afraid of the work but the cost! is there any cheaper tools then this (ecklers) to pull and replace rear bearings with?

I would like to find out more about the non interference fit on the rear wheel spindle if you find the article please give the magazine and the month. June 2001 corvette fever has the rear bearing replacement article for the interference fit. Any help is greatly appreciated.

|QUOTE|rebel said: I would like to find out more about the non interference fit on the rear wheel spindle if you find the article please give the magazine and the month. June 2001 corvette fever has the rear bearing replacement article for the interference fit. Any help is greatly appreciated. |/QUOTE|

I found this information on wheel bearing replacement from corvettefaq.com. It might be helpful.


http://www.vansteel.com/Removal/rwbear.html



There is more information there also.

|UPDATED|9/30/2002 12:24:19 AM|/UPDATED|

I am currently in the process of changing the rear bearings on my 73. I took the trailing arms off because I am installing offset arms to fit my mickey thompson sportsmans but it can easily be done on the car. Get a copy of the "Haynes" 63-82 corvette manual. It explains it well with pics. You will need to get a spindle press. You can get one from napa for about 160 bucks. You can get a complete bearing kit with seals from Rik's corvette parts online. www.riksvette.com
Have fun!
Mark