C3 rear wheel bearing

[David Keenan]

Does anyone know of a good website on how to change a rear wheel bearing.
Are there any concerns in breaking something.

thanks

[Jim T.]

Re: C3 rear wheel bearing

David it takes special tools to do this job right so that you will have a reliable unit to go driving down the interstates at 75 all day. If you do not want to spend th money to buy the special tools you could just remove the complete assembly, the complete control arm minus the brake caliper and ship it to Bairs in PA and let them rebuild your unit.

[Dale P.]

Re: C3 rear wheel bearing

I do not know of any web sites .. but if you are going to change it out on your own .. the best thing to do is get the service manual and read it (twice) .. it is not difficult if you have the correct tools .. but be warned unless you have the correct tools it is a real bear

[Brandon Metzger]

Re: C3 rear wheel bearing

Do you have an address and/or phone number for Bairs? Also, are the front bearings as hard to change as the rear?

Thank you,
Bradon

[Duke W.]

Re: C3 rear wheel bearing

As stated virtually any Chevrolet Chassis Service manual will have the procedure. As far as special tools are concerned, the first one you need is a ten ton press to press the pack apart, and even then it sometimes takes heat.

Front wheel bearings are a piece of cake because the inner races are a slip fit over the spindle (as opposed to the press fit on the rear), and setting clearance is just a matter of properly adjusting the castle nut and installing the cotter pin.

Duke

[Mike Sasser]

Re: C3 rear wheel bearing

Try this web site, it is an article on rebuilding the trailing arms and I think it pretty well explains why it is best to have this job done by someone with experience. It can be done with a big investment in tools and lots of research on doing this job and some practice but I think it is best to send them out. For the front bearings, just get a good shop manual, check the archives for some good advice and you should be able to do this job OK. The trick is to get them adjusted with the correct bearing clearances.

http://www.corvettemagazine.com/2002/april/trailingarm2/arm2-1.ASP

[Chuck S.]

Bair's Corvettes

They have a website, but it doesn't have a lot of info. Call them on their 800 number.




Bair's Corvettes

[Eugene B.]

Re: C3 rear wheel bearing

David,
The guys are correct. Rear wheel bearing are not a job for us amateurs lacking $1200 in tools and a ten ton press.

If you're handy, you can save a lot of money by removing the trailing arms and taking them to a good shop that is familar with the procedure.

The Van Steel folks have an approx. $20 video that deals with front & rear suspension disassembly, maintenance, and re-assembly. Or the procedure documented in the shop manual will get you through.

Good luck,
Gene