I have some play in my rear wheels, I read the recent post on rear wheel bearings and it seems like a big job. i don't have the know how myself to do it so I I'll probably have it checked by a mechanic, whats involved and how expensive can it get. If you have some play is it usually the bearings or is it the spindle. Are most mechanics capable of working on them or do you need a mechanic familair with older cars.

______________

(click to see a larger version)

This is one job I would not tackle. And I wouldn't let just anybody do it. I would find someone with Corvette experience. I try to do most of the work on mine myself but I had my rear wheel bearings replaced about a year ago by a very reputable shop. Sorry I don't remember the cost.

Lonnie

Honestly Tony, I would check the shape of your overall trailing arms. A mechanic that doesn't specialize in Vettes may not have all of the set up tools as the tolerances are quite tricky to set up without them. If your trailing arms are not in great shape, I would go for rebuilt trailing arms - most places will also set you up with stainless steel parking brake hardware.

Check out Van Steel for rebuilt bearing assemblies or complete trailing arms. I have bought front end parts from them and they do stand behind their product. I had a problem with a ball joint a year after I bought it from them and they replaced it no questions asked. Had a new one in a matter of days. suncountry2010-01-31 18:42:44

Thanks Paul for the offer,may need to wait awhile I just spent quite a bit in the fall getting a lot of work done including the transmission. Could the trailing arms  cause the play in the wheels or is it both wheel bearings  and arms

______________

(click to see a larger version)

I think it might best best to know the kind of "play" in the rear wheels. Is the play side to side, or up and down. There are a few important ways to check this. Also, if your car makes a rythmic scraping sound going around a corner, then it may indeed be the rear bearings. If you life the car with a floor jack under the read shock mount, and them, with your hands on the top and bottom of the tire, try and move the tire and wheel up and down and get a lot of movement, then it is the stub shafts.

______________

Mike gives some good advice. Also, when it warms up, crawl under the rear of the car and tap various areas on the trailing arms with a small hammer or something else metallic. You want to hear a clear metal to metal "clank". Any muffled or soft thumps might indicate that the TAs have seen better days and might need replacing.

It is obvious when the play is in the bearings, as opposed to the assembly mounting.  Jack up that side of the car and see what wiggles.  If it is the bearings, it is just not worth buying all the tools to do it yourself.  And if it is not done with the proper set up tools, you have a good chance of damaging more expensive parts.  We have used the same local shop for thirty years and have never had one come back.  We get $500.00 exchange, plus core on any damaged parts.

Larry

When it is jacked up and grabbing the bottom and top of the tire if they is a lot of movement it will be the spindles and then it is a rear end rebuild (happened to mine when first bought) bearings should be same play top and bottom and side to side and if they are real bad rotating the wheel you might hear a sound similiar to walnuts crackin

Thanks guys for information, will try and check it out in the spring, I was checking prices in ecklers and corvette central, looks like it could get very expensive

______________

(click to see a larger version)

To help with with the replacement in the future get some good penetrating break free sparay and spray the pivet point where the trailing arms meat the frame where the shims are. mine where frozen and had to be cut out.

Good luck and keeep us posted on any progress. I will likely be doing same on my 76 and will share what I find out along the way. It's kind of like two old gals having hip replacements, with therapy and plenty of cold beverages they will dance again.

______________