Help! rear wheel bearings

[oldmansvette]

has anyone out there changed rear wheel bearing on there 81 vette? Sure could use some help.;help

 

[6880 Mike]

...Sure could use some help...

Unless you have the tools required to do the job, farm this job out to the professionals.

 

[muddywaters]

I use to take the whole assembly out of the vehicle, take it to a shop and they would press out the old bearings and press in/preload the new ones.....

 

[JohnZ]

has anyone out there changed rear wheel bearing on there 81 vette? Sure could use some help.;help

That's one of the few jobs that's best left to a professional with the right tools, measuring equipment, and experience; not a do-it-yourself job at home.

 

[Rmodeler]

I've got a "rumbling" sound coming from the back, could this be wheel bearings? The sound was there before I changed the rear end(2.70-3.54) and at that time, changed all the u-joints. I notice the sound is still there.

 

[muddywaters]

I'm not sure on your 82, but the early C-3's I had and I think the 79 had small brake shoes in the rear rotors for the parking brake, I had a problem with the PB on one of them and it made some strange noises, just a thought...............

 

[GTR1999]

The arms are the same from 65-79. The 80-82 use the same parts except for the inner flanges. The 63-64 are drum brake setups with some differences.

With the caliper off and the shaft disconnected the only things moving are the bearings.It's possible to have a problem with the parking brake.

Remove the rotor at this point if it not still riveted and the bearings should be smooth,endplay around 004-005 typically for factory setup with miles on them. If they feel rough, tight, or have a lot of play then it's time.

Now if you need to rebuild them you have some options.
1-exchange. This is the fastest and maybe lower cost but I've seen and heard of arms exchanged that were in worse shape then the originals.Not the route I recommend~ of course others will disagree.
2- rebuild them yourself, if you have the tools, access to a surface grinder,and like to do your own go for it. It will cost more in most cases if you need to buy tools or sub out the machine work. NOTE: many rebuilders do not machine fit these so I would ask around. Me, I always machine fit every mating part that goes on the spindle. It's the only way I would do them but you will get various opinions on this as well.
3- I can link you to the write up I put together for this job that will help you decide if you want to tackle it or give you some idea on questions to ask.

Good luck,maybe it's just a dragging parking brake.

 

[Whiteshadow89158]

Now if you need to rebuild them you have some options.
1-exchange. This is the fastest and maybe lower cost but I've seen and heard of arms exchanged that were in worse shape then the originals.Not the route I recommend~ of course others will disagree.
2- rebuild them yourself, if you have the tools, access to a surface grinder,and like to do your own go for it. It will cost more in most cases if you need to buy tools or sub out the machine work. NOTE: many rebuilders do not machine fit these so I would ask around. Me, I always machine fit every mating part that goes on the spindle. It's the only way I would do them but you will get various opinions on this as well.
3- I can link you to the write up I put together for this job that will help you decide if you want to tackle it or give you some idea on questions to ask.

Good luck,maybe it's just a dragging parking brake.

I would love to see this write up, tools arnt limited for me and i need to take off the spindle anyways. Thanks

 

[GTR1999]

Here is an 82 I did recently, The plates on the 76-82 aare gold compared to silver.

Here is the inner flange

 

[GTR1999]

I have the complete write on another forum, with respect to this forum I won't post the link here. I use the same handle on all the forums so you should be able to find it. If not others will link it or just PM me and I'll get you the link.

 

[Whiteshadow89158]

found it, thanks!

 

[Hib Halverson]

I would love to see this write up, tools arnt limited for me and i need to take off the spindle anyways. Thanks

If you're looking for content on how to work on the rear bearings, some of it is at:
The Big Block from Hell, Part 12
Big Block from Hell, Part 13

Those articles include a lot about brakes, but because, in the rear, brake service and bearing service relate to each other, it's best to read about the brakes, too.

 

[GTR1999]

Hib is correct on checking the brakes. You'll find rotor dial in and other info the same place you found my bearing link. Get the rotors under 003 runout and bearing endplay between 0015- 002 and you'll be golden.