Wheel bearings

[Alloydude]

I have to replace the rear wheel bearings on my 84 and the prices vary dramatically from about $280. for the original Delco unit to about $140. for an import. I'm leaning more towards the import mainly because of price (just cant afford the Delco unit) and was wondering if anyone out there has used some of the imports like Timkin or Precision which are in the $150. range. Thanks for any info. Kurt.:s

 

[vader86]

The Timken bearing is ok, but get it at PepBoys where you can get a lifetime warranty.

 

[Alloydude]

Hey Vadar86.Thanks for the info. Went to Pepboys and got some hub assemblies made by Chicago Rawhide (SKF) for $139.95 About the cheapest price I've seen for something made in the USA. Going to install them this weekend. We'll see how it goes after my first couple of burnout's lol

 

[Alloydude]

Any one out there know what size are the three Torx head bolts that bolt the rear hub and bearing assembly to the knuckle. Having difficulty finding a large enough Torx bit at the local tool store. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[rrubel]

T-45. I bought a kit from Sears that had 40. 45. and 50. I've used them all on the Vette, I think.
[RICHR]

 

[Alloydude]

Thanks Rich. Was going to replace the hub assemblys this weekend but the Torx bit foiled my plans.

 

[rrubel]

One thing to keep in mind, as well. You WILL need to rotate the rear halfshafts in order to reach one of the three Torx bolts. Doesn't matter which one, but one is always blocked when the other two are accessible - so keep the whole rear jacked up.

Also, when I did mine, I found it easiest to crawl under the car with a strong flashlight and work from the differential side when replacing those bolts. Couldn't do it by feel from the wheel side.

[RICHR]

 

[oldace84]

The first thing I did on my '84 was have the rear bearings changed, then the front brg's, and complete steering gear assy.
Along with the front ball joints. Then I put all new at 4 corners Koni Adustable shocks.
My vette at that time only had 65k miles, but I knew from what I read that these things would need replaced.
Only the best one time, then OK, for years.
That was 11 years ago.
So If you do it right the first time, save in the long run.
Just some down and dirty FYI.
Good Luck
tony

 

[jsinga]

You know if you are down there doing the hubs the u-joints are easy to get out and change at the same time.

JS

 

[Alloydude]

lol Yep, replaced all six U joints last month. The car had this major clunking sound when I put it in drive or reverse and for the most part it eliminated the problem but as I was putting the wheels back on the car (after the U joint job) I noticed that I could wobble the wheel as if there was excessive play in the bearings so I'm thinking after I install the hub assemblys the rear end should be pretty tight. Oh, I also found that the Torx bit required to remove the 3 bolts holding the hub assemblys to the knuckle on an 84 vette is a T55. Thanks for all the info. Dont know what I'd do without this forum

 

[rrubel]

Whoops... sorry! For 86, it's definitely the T-45; GM service manual says so. Didn't think it would have changed for any early C4.
[RICHR]

 

[tyrel]

Also, when I did mine, I found it easiest to crawl under the car with a strong flashlight and work from the differential side when replacing those bolts. Couldn't do it by feel from the wheel side.

[RICHR] [/B]

Heh-heh! Yeah, that's pretty much the only way to do it unless your fingers are a foot long. Those bolts go waaaaaaaaay back in there, like a tooth.

 

[Alloydude]

Is it possible to remove the hub's without having to remove the halfshaft? Seems like it could be done but probably more of a pain in the a_$ than its worth.:eyerole

 

[rrubel]

Remove the halfshaft from the differential or from the hub? You don't need to remove it from the diff, but you definitely have to remove it from the hub/bearing assembly.
[RICHR]

 

[oldace84]

Did you read my post, on my '84?
tony

 

[Alloydude]

Hey Tony. Yes I did read your post. I would love to just go threw and rebuild the whole suspension but when I bought the Vette about 3 months ago all I knew is that I wanted one BAD. Not giving any thought or doing research as to how much it would cost to fix it. I just seen a 84 Vette with a perfect body, nice interior, new transmission and it ran sweet so I laid my $4200. and drove her home. So needless to say I was a little shocked as to how much parts cost for the thing. So I've taken up the policy of "If it ain't broke, Don't fix it" I did get the wheel bearings in last weekend and It drives a whole lot nicer. Probably will do the front spindles in a few months. They seem OK now but if the rear hubs where any indication (one was in 3 pieces when I pulled it off lol) I'm sure the fronts are on their way out as well. Despite the high cost of repairs I have no regrets and love my Vette.