How do i know if wheel bearings are bad?

[jp2002ls1]

This is my first corvette, its a 1985 with the 4+3 and I have been haveing a ton of problems with it so far. I have had a few camaros but never a car with independent rear suspension, how do I know if the rear wheel bearings are going bad? I have heard this is common. I have the slightest up and down play in my rear wheels but no noises or anything. How much play is acceptable?

What should I expect to go wrong with my car, the engine is rebuilt with 2k on it, the car has 112k, I plan on doing new shocks and possibly new bushings all around. The overdrive isn't working and I will work on that, I saw posts where people put a ton of money into keeping up their vettes. What gives? Is this going to cost me more than my ls1 camaro or my lt1 camaro? Nothing except routine maintenance with my other cars.

 

[Top]

Not to change the subject but the first thing I would do with the Overdrive is to replace the relay. I bet a beer that fixes it.

Good Luck!!

 

[Daryllawman]

replace the relay

Top where is the Relay? If the relay is bad what will the overdrive do or not do?

 

[muddywaters]

wheel bearings

How does the car drive and handle suspension wise?

 

[jp2002ls1]

TOP, The car handles great, I feel a slight vibration at highway speeds, it still had that vibration when I jacked it up and put it in gear, the tires spun without much play.
As far as the relay, I thought it was the relay but I ran a switch right to the overdrive selenoid and when I turned it on it still didn't shift, I don't think there is anything else that controls the overdrive but the selenoid and direct power should make it switch, it usually works a few times and then cuts out, now it doesn't shift at all. I love the way this car handles, its just a lot of work, I will have time next week to run some more tests and probably change the u-joints.

 

[Top]

The OD relay is right next to the brake master cylinder. There are two there, the front one is the OD relay. If this relay is bad your OD will not work period. If you push the OD button and nothing happens it is probably the relay. If you push the OD button and the OD symbol comes on in the DIC, then it is not the relay. The OD is controlled by the computer. It will turn on the OD once the car reaches 128 degrees. It will shift into OD automatically at 110 mph.

Another cause, and it happens, is the OD is low on fluid.

Good Luck!!

 

[vader86]

Wheel bearings tend to make a little noise when they start to go, jack up the car and pull the wheel in/out, it should have almost no play.

 

[Daryllawman]

The OD relay is right next to the brake master cylinder

Thanks Top.......

 

[jsinga]

Check the wheel bearings with a dial indicator. That is the only way you can tell if you have more than the .006 in endplay. The shop manual shows how to do it.
If they have never been changed they are more than likely loose. Something to do when you are doing the u-joints.
Oh, get u-joints without zerks.
Check the front bearings too. Does the car want to jump around on rutted roads? Loose wheel bearings will cause it.

JS