How tough of job is it to replace rear sealed bearings on my 71? Are there any posts with procedure? When I grab wheel when its on the hoist I can move it back and forth just a tich. But I don't want to take any chances. Thanks, Terry

I need to replace my rear bearings as well one of these days. i found that my rear trailing arms need to be replaced as well.  i don't know whether these need to be replaced on your car or not, but i have found that you can buy the trailing arm packed with new bearings for the rear all done so it is one piece rather than doing the job separately. Just a tip. i am doing mine next spring when the funds are back again.

The bearings will have some run out in them, by the time it gets to the end of the tire it seems like alot. It's a tough job but can be done, bearings are pressed on the spindle and must be pressed off. I had my spindle machined so that the bearing slip fits, this allow's me to pull and grease them just like the front bearings. You will have to set up the spindle and place shims to get the proper run out for the bearings. there are articles but use the shop manuels also.

Holy crap Fred! That could be good news. The play I have is just a slight touch, and its the same on both sides. I'm gun shy about bearings. I twisted the front spindle because I neglected the bearings. And good advise Jeremy. I'm sure in time I will have to replace trailer arms. However as we know that's the place that collects to most crap, and I may have to take a saws-all to the fender to get the bolts out. Besides sell the farm to pay for them. Thanks Guy's

The book says the play should be from .001" to .008" at the spindle.

IF you can actually feel play in the bearings, it's too much. You may get by with them like that for a while, but it's a crap shoot.
Bearing clearances are preferred to be .006" or less... .001" is poifect.
You may be feeling some play in the tires as you move them, but is it play in the bearings, or the trailing arm bushings? Check the rear bearings by placing your hands at the front and rear of the tire to move...not at the top/bottom. From the top/bottom position, you can get a slight twisting motion from the t-arm bushings that may make you think it is bearing play.

I've never heard of anyone machining the spindles to allow a "slip-fit" on the bearings... that's a new one on me. Don't think I would do it myself...seems like as the bearing gets hot, and expands, it may become too lose on the spindle, and create a scenario where the bearing would actually spin on the spindle. I may have to research this...it's fascinating!

The shop that does our trailing arm assemblies says it was common twenty years ago to slip fit the bearings, but that the bearing then failed prematurely because of the expansion, like Joel guessed. 

joel is right that if you can feel it, it is too much play.  While you can buy the tools to replace them your self, it really makes most sense to just exchange your assembly for a rebuilt.  You should never need to grease your bearings. 

If you decide to exchange your assemblies beware that the low cost suppliers cannot possibly be replacing all wear parts, but are just fixing what is wrong and leaving the rest.  Shop carefully!

Larry

As long as the rebuilder knows what they are doing, there are some pretty tricky things you have to do to get them right. I read the book, and decided to let my friend handle the job. He has been doing it since the '70s. I own a machine shop, and have most of the equipment to do it, but I did't want to take a chance.

Well guy's here's the situation. I was also having a lot of trouble bleeding my brakes, & they haven't been working right for a long time. Brought it to a friend's shop who really knows Vettes. He found the portioning valve front to rear was plugged and I been stopping pretty much with only fronts..................duh. I have brakes like never before. The other good news is the rear bearings have been replaced and have no play in them. So your right Joel it must be the trailing arm.

Thats good Terry, we don't want to here about wheel bearrings coming apart when we go down to FW.