Topic: Rear wheel bearing setup
in Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling

Dan,
Thanks for the help. After FINALLY purchasing a decent dial indicator, I tackled the bearing setup. First, I went with the same size spacer that I took out, and got a reading of 18 thou.
WOAH!!!
Finally worked it out after using a larger spacer. Final reading is 2 thou.
Dan, should I try to get it tighter, or is that acceptable? Do you ever use more than one spacer? That just doesn't seem logical, but stranger things have happened with these cars.
Once again, thank you for the help.
Alan

OK-Ken, have you ever seen two shims in an adjustment?
Anybody?
Bueller...Bueller...Bueller.

Thanks, Zen master. I'll try to experiment with it, just to see how it goes, before I button it all together for good.
Alan

wheel bearing spec is .002- .008, so you should be o.k. at .002, just don't forget to torque the spindle nut to 100 ft. lbs. At that point if the cotter pin doesn;t line up, tighten until it does. Good-luck-Flandy
Excellent thread. Another one to add to the book marks page.

Eddie,
No, not a home made tool. Of course, this job calls for the handy-dandy special tool. A wheel bearing setup tool. It is in any of the popular catalogs, in the trailing arm, and rear suspension section.
The shims are, of course, purpose made for the rear wheel bearing housings. There is a special spacer sleeve that the rear spindle rides through, and the spacer sleeve, and the above mentioned spacers ride through. I'll get you the part numbers after tonight. I don't have my catalogs here right now.
Good luck.
Alan
If you go to www.fastcorvette.com they have a;ll the tools to do your rear spindles for rent. You send them about $155.00 and they send you the tools. Use them and send them back for $115.00 refund. they have all the parts too. Check them out. I got a good set of spindles from them but I have my own tools and shims.
Dan,
Thanks for the help. After FINALLY purchasing a decent dial indicator, I tackled the bearing setup. First, I went with the same size spacer that I took out, and got a reading of 18 thou.
WOAH!!!
Finally worked it out after using a larger spacer. Final reading is 2 thou.
Dan, should I try to get it tighter, or is that acceptable? Do you ever use more than one spacer? That just doesn't seem logical, but stranger things have happened with these cars.
Once again, thank you for the help.
Alan
[/QUOTE]Sorry for the late reply Gribble. Sometime I don't get to go on the computer that much. You should use a shim and spacer. You can get shims at different thickness for $3 or $4 each. If your at 2 thou you'll be OK. If anyone tells you anything over 5 thou is good, look the other way. You'll run into problems in the long run. I promise.
Dan
Excellent thread. Another one to add to the book marks page.
[/QUOTE]
Hey Eddie
Are you going to the Knoxville show? It's April 1-3. If you do go, come by and I'll show you what the bearing assembly looks like inside. I have a nice cut-a-way of one.