Rear Wheel Bearing Service - C2

[JohnZ]

If the inner race on a slip-fitted outer bearing has begun to rotate on the turned-down spindle surface, it will generate a lot of heat; that will usually fail the outer grease seal, and you'll note grease being slung out of the vent holes on the O.D. of the rotor.

 

[67HEAVEN]

If the inner race on a slip-fitted outer bearing has begun to rotate on the turned-down spindle surface, it will generate a lot of heat; that will usually fail the outer grease seal, and you'll note grease being slung out of the vent holes on the O.D. of the rotor.

Thanks, John. That's a good check to watch for.

 

[Ron Miller]

Originally Posted by Ron Miller
That'll get your rear wheel bearing assembly off the car, but won't get the spindle out and new bearings in and properly set up. You can do this job yourself, too, but I'd recommend sending the assembly in to have it done. I've done it myself, takes a lot of time and proper tools, not sure it's worth it in the long run, unless you're like me and just want to say you did it yourself.

Originally Posted by JohnZ
Growling/grinding noise, followed by heat/smoke, followed by the spindle separating at the outer bearing, followed by broken fiberglass as the rear wheel exits through the quarter panel aft of the wheel opening. The rear wheel bearing setup and assembly for proper end-play is probably the trickiest system on the whole car to do right, and there aren't any short-cuts.

JohnZ 's last sentence emphasizes the point I was trying to make.

 

[4WDVETTE]

Since my father-in-law is abandoning me on this one, I just might consider the send out to 'some-one-else (pro) method. Hope to look the situation over this week.


Steve

 

[JohnZ]

Just take the trailing arms off and send them to Bair's or Van Steel - they do them every day, and do them right.

 

[Subfixer]

Steve, Bairs did mine (and VNV's). Pretty quick turnaround and excellent work.

 

[4WDVETTE]

Yeah - that's the way I think I will go. I dropped the arms last night and I think I will let the pro's do the job. My father-in-law was pushing close to 700 hp in his twin turbo 454, when something went wrong in the left rear bearing area and ended up taking out the rear fender. I will check out Bairs and see how soon I can get them back.

Thanks for all the info guys - it really helped.

Steve

 

[Ron Miller]

Yeah - that's the way I think I will go. I dropped the arms last night and I think I will let the pro's do the job. My father-in-law was pushing close to 700 hp in his twin turbo 454, when something went wrong in the left rear bearing area and ended up taking out the rear fender. I will check out Bairs and see how soon I can get them back.

Thanks for all the info guys - it really helped.

Steve

Hope it was of some help to you, I think you're making the right move. I feel like I lucked out on the one I did for myself, since my setup was within specs the first go-around. But, after seeing what you could get into without setup tools, etc., I decided Bair's or Van Steel would be my source for the next one.

I've heard good things about both of these guys, sure you won't go wrong with either. I know Yogi was quite helpful to me in the past.

 

[4WDVETTE]

Anybody have Vans or Bairs phone numbers or web site handy?

 

[Ron Miller]

http://www.vansteel.com/

http://bairs.com/

 

[JohnZ]

Bair's is closest to you - call them and they'll send you special shipping boxes to send the trailing arms in.