Rear Wheel Bearings.....

[Ala75Vette]

OK, I've got a 'stupid' question. In an effort to reduce costs, I'd like to order a RR wheel bearing assembly from VBP for my 75, versus a complete trailing arm assembly (at least for now, until I want to get offsets/bigger wheels). No, I don't want to tackle rebuilding the inner/outer bearings myself (it's primarily a time thing, but, hey). The question: once I receive my 'bearing assembly' will I have to partially disassemble it to install it? My gut feeling is 'yes' but, not having done it (yet), I'm just trying to gauge how big a pain it's gonna be to pull the old stuff off and replace it with the new stuff. BTW, VBP has yet to respond to two emails I've sent them asking this same (dumb) question.

Frank

 

[69MyWay]

Frank,

Your biggest problem will be getting the old stuff out! The shock mount bolt/knuckle will be frozen, and goofing with all the e-brake stuff is a major pain in the butt!

It will still be a time consuming knuckle busting job, but stick with it and you will prevail.

The folks at VB&P are really nice. I spent some time with Brian last weekend. It is nice to see the members of the company enthusiastic about the products and the cars. They are actually a rather small company, and they go 100 mph all day long.

If I was you I would call 800-237-9991 or 727-345-5292 for some one on one advice.

 

[73383]

Frank

I am in the middle of a frame off, rest. I have did all the work myself, including engine. I grew up in a body shop and worked in a Vette shop for 4 years. the rear trailing arm and bearings were the only thing I would not tackle. I used Van Steel in Clearwater, Fl and was very satisfied with their work. That said, removing the trailing arms to send off is a pain. The shock mount is the biggest problem, but can be done as follows.

Remove the trailing arm with the strut rod still attached to the arm assym. Disconect the end at the rearend housing. You can then send the asym as is to VBP, Van Steel or procede as follows.

To remove the strut rod from the shock mount: You need to use heat. Remove the trailing arm asym with the strut rod. I do not have a large torch anymore, so I used a small propane torch with Mepp gas. You can buy at Home Depot 25-35 buck. Remove the castle nut from the end of the strut rod. Heat both ends of the shock mount untill it starts to turn red. Let cool. The expansion and contraction from the heating will help break it lose. Next put the castle nut, or better yet, another spare nut on the shock mount, screw it down but stop before the threads appear from the end of the nut. Take a hammer and tap on the nut untill the shock mount breaks loose. These will not be lite taps, but medium firm hits. Keep an eye on your threads.

This also works on siezed and rusted nuts and bolts. My car is a 73 and was in very bad condition. I did not have to cut any nuts or bolts on the car.

You will have to replace the strut rod bushings. The heating will burn them and they may catch on fire (very small) keep a bucket of water handy. They will stink up your garage.

It takes to many specialized tools to install the rear bearings. You can have one of the above venders do it cheaper. Plus if done incorrectly you could ruin your spindle, and wheel bearing support

Also, if you decide to let a shop do it all, make sure they know what they are doing. Very few shops know anything about setting up the rear bearings on the C3.

Dennis

 

[Ala75Vette]

Thanks for the advice, gentlemen! I will definitely be calling VBP tomorrow to discuss the matter with them. I discovered this afternoon that both my rear bearings (inner) are kaput, so I'll be replacing both sides, along with a new composite leaf spring, probably all parts from VBP (I'll do a little price comparing with Van Steel, too, before I make my final order decision). I really want to do the work myself, but I have young children, so unless I want the car to be up on jack stands for several months while I sneak in a few hours at a time working on it, I need to minimize costs while at the same time minimizing repair time. I just don't feel comfortable completely rebuilding the bearings.... the mind is willing, but everything else, including my sense of my own capabilities, says get the smallest 'assembly' that will fit the bill that's more than rebuilding, but the least possible (hopefully less than a whole trailing arm assembly). Thanks Chris & Dennis for your responses, I expect to be doing this work in the next few weeks, and you can bet I'll be posting updates & pics on how it's going.....

Frank

PS- BTW, it has nothing to do with this project, or this forum, but I work for NASA and knew one of the crew members - Kalpana "KC" Chawla - on STS-107, and this is an especially difficult time for me & my coworkers at Marshall Space Flight Center. My corvette is something I obsess about, focus on, and love, and, besides being a nice car, it is a symbol of who I am and what I wanted (but didn't get) for a very long time. KC and the Columbia crew were a symbol of what's best about America, too.

 

[69MyWay]

PS- BTW, it has nothing to do with this project, or this forum, but I work for NASA and knew one of the crew members - Kalpana "KC" Chawla - on STS-107, and this is an especially difficult time for me & my coworkers at Marshall Space Flight Center. My corvette is something I obsess about, focus on, and love, and, besides being a nice car, it is a symbol of who I am and what I wanted (but didn't get) for a very long time. KC and the Columbia crew were a symbol of what's best about America, too.

Obsessions often keep us focused on "things" so that we can better deal with other things in our lives. I am sorry for the loss of your friend. Kind of puts things in perspective sometimes.

Good luck, and keep us posted on those bearings.

 

[TWINRAY]

I did the rear wheel bearings on both my vehicles and was able to rent the needed tools from R&J Corvette Parts in Anaham, Calif in 1989. I don't know if they are still in business. There were 3 tools you will need. A spindle removal press, a bearing set-up tool and a spindle bearing puller. Without these tools I think you are SOL. You probably have additional troubles with a seized or broken bearing:eek