Rear Wheel Bearings

I just got back from a road trip from OKC to Colorado Springs.  The return trip started off with a very bad tank of gas followed by a grinding sound coming from the rear drivers side of the car.

While I knew it was a wheel bearing, out in the middle of nowhere I had no choice but to press on and sacrifice the bearing to make it home.

Now I need to pull and change the bearing.  Since I don't have the funds to do the trailing arms at this point, how tough is it to R&R the inner and outer bearings?

I haven't visually inspected the bearings, but I know the sound and could find no visible reason for the sound so without removal of the wheel and other components, this is my best estimation. 

Do I need special tools?  Do I fab them? 

Any help will be appreciated.

Thanks,

Dennis, just replaced mine, you need a puller/slidehammer. Rent or borrow one that goes over three of your wheel studs and has a slide hammer. Luckily a few good pops and they'll come right out.

Thanks Lonnie.

Looks like while I have her up in the air for the new 700R4, she'll get 4 new rear bearings.  Sure hope I didn't cook the spindle.

When replacing the wheel bearings, you need to use the special tool to set end play.  Our rebuilder says 0.001 to 0.002 inch.  Failure to get that right could lead to another bearing failure, and possibly damage to the spindle and/or housing.

Good luck
Larry

Corvette Magazine.com had a Tech artical about changing wheel bearings. I just got my tool to do rear bearings without hopefully damaging rear bearings Larry is right that the bearing end play has to be correct...if you are not sure about doing them it would be best to tanke it to a Tranny/drivetrain shop (Mr. Trans or Amco) that have done vette rear ends ask them to see the tools used...this should help you to know if they know what they are doing or not.