Hey Everyone,

After hearing a bad grinding noise in the drivers side rear end, and saw there was alot of tire movement in and out. I proceeded to remove the half shaft and look at the spindle nut. It was finger tight (or loose) so I went alittle further and took the pin out and nut off. The nut was stripped. The flange and spindle came right out. The spindle looked like it had been heated and turned in a vise (obviously years of torque from hole shots by the previous owner). At the end where it goes into the flange it was scored and turned. It also appeared to have been ground where the inner bearing goes. The flange was completely shattered. Most of the metal was broken off the inside!

So, I figured I better look at the passenger side too. I checked the spindle nut and it was not as loose, nor was there much movement of the tire (but more than there should be). Again the flange and the spindle came right out. The good news on this side was the flange was in good shape. The other spindle was not damaged except that it was obviously ground down where the inner bearing goes. A friend of mine who has a 63 vette told me that some people who don't have the correct tools grind these down to slide the bearing on.

Anyway, I'm going to get new spindles and a new flange and bearings. Here is my question - Are there special tools and or procedures for putting this back together correctly? I want to make sure I do this right.
Thanks,
Glenn

Just completed this repair on a friends 78 vette Saturday.
And yes there are special tools, we needed a spindle knocker(which you don't require)an insertion tool and a dial indicator (we also used a set up tool to get the shims correct, but it can be done with out this tool) this icon represents using the spindle knocker.

Thanks, Where did you get the tool from? How much did it cost?

Got the tools from Mid America
Wheel bearing setup tool 79.99
spindle install tool 69.99
dial indicator Local tool sale 5.00
You might try a local a local Vette club to barrow the tools as you most likely wont (or want) to use them again.

Thanks again,

Is there any special instructions for doing this? Such as how to use the spacers?

Gmurray,

Just be sure to torque the spindle nut to 100ft.lbs.
This is the most important part of the job. Good luck, having new rear bearings is the most comforting thought when it comes to a smooth ride.

Alan

Thanks, Is there any advise on how to press on the bearings? My buddy has a press, but I just want to make sure I do it right.

Tools can also be rented from Fast Corvette.

http://www.fastcorvette.com

Nothing special about the press.

Good Luck

John

The real trick (or PITA) is getting the end play to .002" using the correct combination of shims. If you don't have a manual, and have never done this before, you might want to consider sending the bearing units or complete trailing arms out for a professional rebuild. There are a lot of "while I'm at it's" like doing the e-brakes (no easier time to replace them). New backing plates, strut rod bushings and u-joints are just a few that come to mind. If you don't get the end play right the new bearings will not last very long. The best place I found to get replacement spindles is http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/ but it pays to shop around. I bought Timken replacement bearings from Motion Industries, seals, e-brakes and back plates from http://www.muskegonbrake.com/

The following people offer rebuild service:

http://www.vettebrakes.com/
http://www.vansteel.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Start

Edit: you can use your "slip fit" spindle as a bearing setup tool.

|UPDATED|5/24/2004 7:22:24 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

Thanks Big Fish, all good advice. I've got to look at the overall cost, while making sure that the work is done right (either by me or someone else). It's killing me not having her on the road right now, but I want to make sure it's done right.

I'll update everyone when I do it, and I'll take pics so we can all see the work.
Glenn