When to replace rear wheel bearings?

From a preventative maintenance perspective, after how many miles should the rear wheel bearings be replaced?  I was told this weekend by another vette owner that the bearings should be "re-packed" with grease every 30,000 miles.  All the posts here talk about replacing the wheel bearings....SO, what is the best practice......have a shop repack the bearings or replace the bearings .... and how often

I now have 30,600 original miles and I would sure hate to have one of those bearings sieze up on the trip to PF...... 

Thanks

It is recomment they be repacked every 30,000.   Many are not and last much longer with no problem.  If they make noise, or have too much play, they should be replaced right away.

If you have no symptoms, I would not worry about getting this done before PF.  But it is good preventave maintance sometime after you get back.  When they are cleaned and repacked, you can decide if they need replaced. 

I am going to replace mine in the future, but not now.  There are other things to be done first.  I only have 53,000, but the car sat for a long time, and it is 31 years old.  So it's not a priority, but I will replace them in the future, "Just Because".

Mine went out at around 63,000 miles, not an experience anyone would enjoy.  I lost 3 of the roller bearings on my left outer bearing, talk about a chewed-up spindle!  Sooo, I bought all of the special tools and did them myself, if anyone needs any help, give me a shout-Flandy

Left rear on the '74 went out at around 44,000, after a long drive to the Museum in BG, and then up to W.V. (My car also sat for many years, without being driven.) Heard a scraping noise about the time we pulled in the driveway back here. Put another couple hunnert miles on it before replacing the bearings. I did it at the same time I "restored" the entire chassis.
There's no way to "repack" the rear bearings without disassembling the whole thing. The tools they have that are supposed to repack with them on the car are only good for greasing the bearing closest to the spindle flange. There are spindle supports that have grease fittings in between the two bearings, and a lot of folks like that set-up.
Like Ken, I wouldn't worry about them if you have no signs. Have them checked for play, and if there is no play or noises, enjoy the trip!!

Thanks everyone....If my new O'Ring type calipers arrive before the trip (backordered until mid June) I will have the rear bearings replaced at the same time she is up on the hoist.

Kerry, please find a qualified tech to do the rear bearings!!! I can't stress this enough. These bearings must be assembled correctly, or there will be problems. They are not like the front bearings, that anyone could do. They do take some specialized tools, or other equipment, to set them up with the right clearances. I have been looking for a shop in your area, but so far, no luck. Take it to a dealership, or a 'Vette service place, if you plan on doing the rear bearings.

Being that critical of a repair, I will take it back to "Corvettes of Dallas" where I bought the car.  Jeff (service guy) should have no problems since they always have a couple of older vettes in the shop for restoration (but I will call and check with him first).

Thanks for the tip (warning)....definetly not a local "GoodYear" quick repair. 

Damn you guys  Now you've got me worried, I bought my Pace Car with 92k and don't have any idea if the rear barring have ever been repacked  I'm sure they have but I don't know when.

 If you want to take them off yourself, you can always send them to a place like Van Steel for rebuild....

BTW, 2cruzn just did his on his 73. I'm sure he can give some advice and  tell you what rebulder did his bearings...
JimG38865.7843287037