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Topic: spindle bearing removal

in Forum: C3 Driveline Components


spindle bearing removal

Posted: 2/19/06 7:12pm Message 1 of 20
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COLUMBUS, MS - USA
Joined: 1/11/2004
Posts: 331
Vette(s): 1972 Coupe; 350 4-speed with GM sidepipes; Classic White/Saddle

Been off the road for a while - major rear-end issues.

Ever thought about doing your own rear bearing work, but got bumfuddled by all the "special" tools it takes?  Well, here's a reasonably-priced option to one of them: an OTC bearing splitter kit.  This kit is like HALF the price of the "special" tool from the supply catalogs and slides that outer bearing off easy as you please.

Check it out:   http://www.tooltopia.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&P rodID=8691

I'm also working on a spindle puller (for a LOT less than $200) and bearing spacer set-up tool (buy from supply for $90, or make your own for less than $10).  Further bulletins as events develop.

John

 

 




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spindle bearing removal

Posted: 2/20/06 7:46am Message 2 of 20
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Gillette, WY - USA
Joined: 3/28/2004
Posts: 67
Vette(s): 1960 (got wiped out in the Rapid City flood of 72), 1968 roadster(sold it so I could buy the 71), 1971 Coupe Chromed almost everything underneath. Had it since "76"
I have found a place called fastcorvette.com that will rent you the tools for $155.00. You use the tools to do your spindles and send them back for a refund of $115.00 plus they pay you $1.00 for every unused shim. Go to their web site and you will find Articles and Tips, scroll down to Rear Spindle School and click on it, it will tell you all about it, even how to do the job. I bought my spindles from them and were great. So for what it's worth, check it out.


If it's not painted, Chrome it!!!

spindle bearing removal

Posted: 2/20/06 11:46am Message 3 of 20
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Moses Lake, WA - USA
Joined: 4/16/2005
Posts: 2134
Vette(s): 1976 L48 4-spd, Mahogany Metalic exterior, Buckskin interior 350ci/350hp, 3rd owner, fiberglass spring, 255/50-16's Torq-Thrust II
I used fastcorvettes when I rebuilt my trailing arms and rear suspension. My experience with fastcorvettes was not great. I got parts I didn't order, didn't get a few parts I did order and had to call and email several times to get my refund for the tools and parts returned. The couple of parts I didn't get I had to go some where else to get. Never did get a packing slip listing the parts I did order. The spindle shim kit I gave up waiting for and took my old ones to a friend who had a surface grinder. Got the end play to .0005 on one side and .001 on the other. The part quality form fastcorvete seemed good and they did  ship the parts out fast. I think if you live near them and can deal face to face it would be easier.


spindle bearing removal

Posted: 3/8/06 11:00am Message 4 of 20
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henderson, NV - USA
Joined: 2/7/2004
Posts: 715
Vette(s): 1977 Corvette l48 Custom

Wow,

My spindle happens to be fused to the bearing thats locked in between the race.




-LOUIE

spindle bearing removal

Posted: 3/23/06 7:55am Message 5 of 20
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Poquoson, VA - USA
Joined: 11/20/2004
Posts: 1023
Vette(s): 73 Conv, Blue-Green/White Top - 454, M21 - Dark Saddle Leather, Power Windows, A/C, Tilt/Tele, AM/FM St. (orig. and sounds like it too).#2 -- 2007 Coupe,3 LT package, Z51 option, Victory Red, Ebony Int. Clear Top.
Has anyone tried Van Steel or Zip rebuilding service... looks to me like a rebuild with Rotor, stainless brakes etc might be the best way for me ($260 ea side) . Had a friend check out the grinding noise... I'm in a cast for a while...I have a bad drivers side bearing and most likely change the the passenger too, so I was thinking it would save a lot of time and don't need special tools I may never use again... anyone used these services?


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spindle bearing removal

Posted: 3/23/06 8:03pm Message 6 of 20
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20219
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Van Steel or Vette Brakes are excellent choices, if you are buying trailing arm assemblies, and can afford the bucks.


Joel Adams
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spindle bearing removal

Posted: 3/23/06 8:24pm Message 7 of 20
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Joined: 3/22/2004
Posts: 179
Vette(s): 1982 COLLECTOR EDITION
We have used that tool for years calling it a "bearing knife". We use it to pull bearings from the ends of the armatures on large DC electric motors. Good idea.


spindle bearing removal

Posted: 3/25/06 9:39am Message 8 of 20
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Poquoson, VA - USA
Joined: 11/20/2004
Posts: 1023
Vette(s): 73 Conv, Blue-Green/White Top - 454, M21 - Dark Saddle Leather, Power Windows, A/C, Tilt/Tele, AM/FM St. (orig. and sounds like it too).#2 -- 2007 Coupe,3 LT package, Z51 option, Victory Red, Ebony Int. Clear Top.

[QUOTE=Adams' Apple]Van Steel or Vette Brakes are excellent choices, if you are buying trailing arm assemblies, and can afford the bucks. [/QUOTE]

Joel... if my trailing arms are Ok should I bother going for new... seems just the bearing has gone on it.....i would rather put the extra into gas $$   




Lifetime Member #86

USN 1966-1970

WestPac 67-68 Tet I&II


Featured in Corvette Enthusiast Aug 2007 "Shark Attack"
Blue Green *** 454,4 Spd, Dark Saddle Leather, A/C, AM-FM St. (orig), PW, Tilt -Tele Wheel"



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spindle bearing removal

Posted: 3/25/06 3:31pm Message 9 of 20
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CUYAHOGA FALLS, OH - USA
Joined: 12/2/2003
Posts: 6424
Vette(s): 1975 C3 Red, T-Tops, Black Interior. All I need is time and money! Getting there!
If everything else is in good shape, there is no real need to replace it all.   It's just making sure that the bearings can be replaces okay, and set up properly by someone who knows what they are doing.  If you have that, your fine.


spindle bearing removal

Posted: 3/26/06 7:13am Message 10 of 20
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Poquoson, VA - USA
Joined: 11/20/2004
Posts: 1023
Vette(s): 73 Conv, Blue-Green/White Top - 454, M21 - Dark Saddle Leather, Power Windows, A/C, Tilt/Tele, AM/FM St. (orig. and sounds like it too).#2 -- 2007 Coupe,3 LT package, Z51 option, Victory Red, Ebony Int. Clear Top.

[QUOTE=kstyer]If everything else is in good shape, there is no real need to replace it all.   It's just making sure that the bearings can be replaces okay, and set up properly by someone who knows what they are doing.  If you have that, your fine.[/QUOTE]

I'm planning on getting the "whole enchilada" with new rotor, stainless brakes, bearings set etc... from Zip probably since I live about an hour away from them... will see if mine are rebuildable first...

2 cruzn38802.3125347222


Lifetime Member #86

USN 1966-1970

WestPac 67-68 Tet I&II


Featured in Corvette Enthusiast Aug 2007 "Shark Attack"
Blue Green *** 454,4 Spd, Dark Saddle Leather, A/C, AM-FM St. (orig), PW, Tilt -Tele Wheel"



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in Forum: C3 Driveline Components


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