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I noticed in an earlier post that early '63s had slip fit rear wheel bearings. A local Corvette shop modify's later cars to this system and I have done a few myself with good results. I was considering doing this modification to my latest '65. Is this a bad idea? Sure make servicing the bearings a lot easier.
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Re: C2-3 slip fit rear wheel bearings
I've been turning the spindles down for slip-fit of bearings on all my c-2 for 20 years and some now have over 30k miles on some of them. no problems so far. makes for easier lubrication. mike -
Re: C2-3 slip fit rear wheel bearings
Frank-----
As Mike described, I've heard of many folks that have converted to the slip-fit spindles and experienced no problems. Notwithstanding that fact and notwithstanding the fact that the slip fit mod makes the spindles infinitely easier to service, I don't recommend the procedure and would never consider converting my car to slip fit, albeit the advantages.
Believe me, GM did not convert to the press fit design becuase the slip fit worked just as good. The press fit design complicated (and, consequently, made more expensive) the manufacture of the trailing arm assemblies. It also greatly complicated field service and required a host of new Kent-Moore tools. GM even converted some of the slip fit 63s to press fit under warranty and/or recall. Considering all of the problems that the press fit design created for them, I'm sure that GM had VERY good reason for the change or there's NO WAY that they would have done it. As a result, personally, I don't want to "second-guess" their engineering decision.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: C2-3 slip fit rear wheel bearings
The reason is probably twofold. They may have had problems with the shafts turning in the races and wearing them out. This even happens with pressed units.
Second and most important to me, is that if you ring off an axle you may be seeing your wheel pass you going down the road.Comment
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Re: C2-3 slip fit rear wheel bearings
Frank, I agree with Joe L. on this with one possible exception. If your type of driving was such that you were not laying it into the corners you might be able to get by with a tap fit(not slip). I would never do it to my cars as I live in Colorado and have some of the finest Corvette type roads and highways to enjoy. PaulComment
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Re: C2-3 slip fit rear wheel bearings
Wayne-----
The wheel may pass you but you'll likely never see the fiberglass that you left back on the road.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: C2-3 slip fit rear wheel bearings
Thanks for the fast responses guys! I do drive my car pretty hard. Joe, I agree it always seemed to me that it was a lot of extra expense manufacturing and service wise so there must be a reason. Just wondering if anyone had experiences. I have seen axle bearings seize and axles break usually due to un-serviced vehicles with dry bearings. If they're dry they're gonna spin on the shaft pressed or not. I usually leave a bit of a press fit, but it's a fit that you don't need to get all serious with at diassembly time. That was quite a few years ago so I am wondering what the thinking on subject is nowdays.Comment
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Re: C2-3 slip fit rear wheel bearings
Only very early '63s had slip fit rear spindle's. There were problems! A couple of interim changes were made and the press fit design went into production about 12/1/62 and remained through the end of '82 production, so the press fit is a solid design! There was a TSB on this issue, and I doubt if any early '63s still have the slip fit design. They would have failed long ago.
Concurrent with the new design press fit spindle, the 30K service interval was ELIMINATED. Granted, they are a pain to rebuild, but if you do it right - get the clearance in spec and use a high quality full synthetic wheel bearing greas, you need never worry about the again.
Racers often modify the rear spindle for a slip fit so they can easily be disassembled for frequenct inspection and maintenance. This makes sense for a race car that will see frequent servicing, but for a street car, I recommend going with the GM design, and, as I said before, if they are done properly you will likely never have to deal with them again.
DukeComment
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Re: C2-3 slip fit rear wheel bearings
I agree with Mike. I have my third mid year with slip fit (acutally "hit hard with spindle knocker" fit) and have put close to 100k miles on them (combined) with no trouble. I would either not do it or use a loctite it if the car was going to be stressed (driven hard). Don H.Comment
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Re: C2-3 slip fit rear wheel bearings
I like your idea about the lock tight. The combination of a tight fit with the right lock tight product would probably yeild good results. Machine shops use it all the time in brutal situations. If the application was done right. It would hold well and probably give the same results as a press fit. I am not sure what it would take to get it appart though, especially if it required servicing again. TerryComment
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