Topic: Rear bearing outer race installation
in Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling
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Former Member
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BURBANK, WA - USA
Joined: 12/21/2004
Posts: 59
Vette(s): 1981 Frost Beige Coupe... all original.. My SECOND Love...
Getting ready to put the trailing arms and rear bearing assemblies back together. Anyone have advice on the best way to install the outer races in the spindle support piece without damaging the machined surfaces? I have a couple of ideas, but wanted to learn from the experience of others..
Thanks!
Carl
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Duncanville, TX - USA
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A brass drift punch works best. Soft enough to keep from damaging anything. 
Joel Adams
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Moses Lake, WA - USA
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From what I remember when I did mine 2 yrs ago I found a pipe coupler that was the right diameter and used that as a driver. I screwed a pipe plug in one end to have a surface to tap on. Another way to do it is to freeze the race. You may be able to shrink it enough to allow it to slide in.
i used a pipe with the right diameter
dunno how or/ if you already have measured for the right shim to put inbetween .. but i have done that with special set-up tool so i easily could find the right thickness for the shim.. and my advice is to set the bearing on the low end of recommended range (actually ALMOST a 0 play)
with my first setup ,play was about half way that range but after driving a few miles , when pulling/pushing on the wheel i could feel the play so i took all off again .
good luck
art-corvette
If you still have the old races you can make a special tool by turning the outer diameter of the old race so it is no longer an interference fit in the spindle support. Then weld a short piece of pipe or rod on to the turned down race and use a press to press them in. If you are really careful you can use the tool to press them in with a hammer but it takes practice.
There is enough of a chamfer on the races that they won't damage each other in the bearing running surfaces.
Former Member
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BURBANK, WA - USA
Joined: 12/21/2004
Posts: 59
Vette(s): 1981 Frost Beige Coupe... all original.. My SECOND Love...
Thanks for the good ideas. Much better than the one I had...
Carl
in Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling
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