78 spindle spacer/shims

[cooleysk]

Does the rear-end spindle on a 78 corvette have a spacer on the spline? I've removed my driver's side spindle due to a failed outer bearing(it was destroyed due to age, I guess). I've purchased new outer and inner bearings and am in the process of re-installing these items. Thing is, I'm seeing in every repair manual where you need to check bearing clearance and adjust with shims on the spacer. Is it possible there may have never been a spacer on this? I've looked and looked and haven't seen any signs of a spacer or shim. Any help would be appreciated.
P.S. The changing of these bearings has been quite challenging for me, in case anyone else ever attempts this!!
Thanks
Kevin

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

I've never seen one without a shim, and would be very suspicious of an assembly without one. Might be Bubba visited and left it out, and that's why your bearing failed.

Playing with the rear hubs is usually a job left to a shop with experience and tools.

 

[Ron Miller]

The bearing spacer goes on the axle shaft, along with any shims required, between the inner and outer rear wheel bearings. The proper number and size of shims is how correct clearance or "end play" is obtained in the axle shaft. As mentioned above, proper installation and setup of the rear axle requires some special tools and equipment, including bearing pullers, a hydraulic press, tools to setup and measure axial end play, etc.

If you're not too far along with this project, I'd recommend you send it out to Bair's, Van Steel, or one of the other firms set up to do this work. Unless properly done, you could find yourself repeating the process in a few miles. I've done the rear wheel bearings before, but I'm not sure that my next one won't be sent out, it's money well spent.

For what it's worth,

rlm:cool

 

[GTR1999]

Like the guys said you need to check endplay to correctly setup the bearings. This can be done if you have the tools. You need a setup tool to get the bearing correct,otherwise you'll be pressing bearing on/off until you get the correct endplay-not good. The tools will run more then having Bairs rebuild them,so if you only doing one car farm them out.

 

[Pace78]

Hi Kevin,

I've done mine just last month. You will need a couple of specials tools, like

The set up tool
A micrometer
A spindle installation tool
A spindle puller/ or pusher.
A bearing puller to remove the bearing from the spindle

You'll need to adjust the bearings with the spacers till you have reached the ultimate 0.001 inch. I've got mine on
left 0.0012
right 0.0016

You can check out the site of Monty G Willims so you can see for your self how it's been done.

http://www.montygwilliams.com/
Chapter suspension, rear suspension,rearwheelbearings

Bye

Rene

 

[clar2001]

I just bought rebuilt bearing asb. done to factory specs. no worries just more money . on what I think is the cars poorest part.