I have a friend who has a roar in the rear area of a 1978 corvette. This noise is well above the sounds I receive from my 78. We have changed the rear end oil, I don't believe it's in the pumkin possibly the wheel bearings ? It also makes a rub sound on turns (as if the tire was rubbing against the interfender (only sounds this way though). How would we check the bearings?
Anybody got any other ideas? If it is the bearing how do we grease or replace them ( SMALL--SIMPLE steps please)

"Simple" problem would be a loose spindle nut. It's simple because the bearings don't have to be replaced to fix it. It is a little tricky because you have to disconnect the wheel end of the half shaft(s) to get at it. You also have to loosen the camber bolt so that the strut rod pushes the wheel away from the half-shaft. MARK YOUR CAMBER SETTING BEFORE YOU START!!

Spindle shaft end play should be between .001" and .008". The large castle nut with the cotter pin is the means of adjustment. If the end play is more than .008", tighten the nut until the end play meets spec. Shim it if necessary to get the adjustment right.

From what you've described, there's either a LOT of end play or else a bad bearing. I hope it's the end play . . . 'cause the bearings are a PIMA

Hope this helps.

John

The bearing is a good posibility. If the bearing is the problem you can usually tell by turning large circles in a parking lot, perhaps 20 or 30 MPH. If it makes more noise in one direction than the other, it is likely a bearing.

The car can be lifted and the rear wheels run in the air. Use a listening device of some kind, (keep away from the spinning wheel) and listen to each bearing. It will be easy to tell which one it is. It may be both, or neither. You can also listen to the diff at this point.

Make sure the car is secure on a lift or stands, and there is no danger of it dropping, or you getting into a spinning wheel.

If the bearings are bad, I would recommend replacing both of them. It does go MUCH easier if you have the special tools. If not, you may want to have it done for you. You can take the entire rear trailing arm out of the car and send it out to have the new bearings installed.

Let us know what you find.

|UPDATED|4/27/2004 6:54:22 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

I had the same exact problem, and sorry dude, but it was bad bearings. I would rather have my a$$ kicked than doing that job again. Good luck.

Hey Ken, nice pic. Not what I expected, but, just wait until you meet me. Thank God that the vette is naked, and not you. HAHAHAHAHA
Take care.
Alan

|UPDATED|4/29/2004 8:27:31 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

Gribble123 said: . . . bad bearings. I would rather have my ass kicked than doing that job again. Good luck . . .

It is the mother of all PIMA jobs. ALL the special tools will set you back about 5 Benjamins: removal press = $180; bearing puller = $120; installation tool = $100; bearing set-up tool = $100.

I'm with Ken. Pull the trailing arms and pay a pro to have the fun. BUT, if you REALLY want to appease the do-it-yourself testosterone bug, rent the tools. They are available from Fast Corvette. http://www.fastcorvette.com

The feeling of accomplishment will be teriffic, but you'll play 12 yards of hell getting there. For my money, it's kinda like slamming the family jewels in a car door just to be able to say "I did it!"

Good Luck

John

|UPDATED|4/28/2004 4:35:42 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

Hey Alan, I don't even like wearing shorts. Just the car, never me. I'm not sure even my wife wants to see that!