C-3 Rear Wheel Bearings

[John]

Has anyone replaced the rear wheel bearings on there C-3 Vette? How difficult is it? Do you need all the special tools that the repair manual specifies? I know I have the skills to do tis repair but I wonder if purchasing the tools for around $300 and the parts for $160 is worth it. Rebuilt trailing arms are around $500. I would appreciate any info anyone can supply. Thanks, John

[George Daina]

Yep, you need da tools, friend...

Lest you decide to go into the rear wheel bearing business, the cost does not justify the end result. If you need bearings, I know a couple of vendors that are charging under 150 per axle.

[George Daina]

Yep, you need da tools, friend...

Lest you decide to go into the rear wheel bearing business, the cost does not justify the end result. If you need bearings, I know a couple of vendors that are charging under 150 per axle.

[Patrick H.]

Re: C-3 Rear Wheel Bearings

John,

First of all, I recommend looking at the many archived messaes on this topic.

In summary, while not a "difficult" operation to "do," it is very difficult to get it RIGHT. The recommendation is to have the bearings, if not the whole arm, done by the pros such as Van Steel in FL, my personal favorite, or Bair's in PA. You will end up saving yourself many headaches and hassle.

Good luck.

Patrick

[Patrick H.]

Re: C-3 Rear Wheel Bearings

John,

First of all, I recommend looking at the many archived messaes on this topic.

In summary, while not a "difficult" operation to "do," it is very difficult to get it RIGHT. The recommendation is to have the bearings, if not the whole arm, done by the pros such as Van Steel in FL, my personal favorite, or Bair's in PA. You will end up saving yourself many headaches and hassle.

Good luck.

Patrick

[George Daina]

I agree w/Pat.....

Bair's is good, been there there three times, a fine resto shop, quality work. What a lot of people don't realise, Bair's is a sub for Chicago, Mid America, Ecklers, ships rear wheel bearing assemblies to the mentioned vette suppliers.

800-421-9644, yogi or Brian, I have another source who buys from Bairs, and sells for less than Bairs.

[George Daina]

I agree w/Pat.....

Bair's is good, been there there three times, a fine resto shop, quality work. What a lot of people don't realise, Bair's is a sub for Chicago, Mid America, Ecklers, ships rear wheel bearing assemblies to the mentioned vette suppliers.

800-421-9644, yogi or Brian, I have another source who buys from Bairs, and sells for less than Bairs.

[Mack Frazier]

Re: C-3 Rear Wheel Bearings

If you don't rebuild these things every day, chances sre you won't do as good a job as some one who does. Just getting all the stuff out can be a bear, if anything is "froze up". Bair's and Van Steel are both reputable shops. (Van Steel rebuilt mine.) If you're concerned about down time, there are some places that will ship you a rebuilt trailing arm and you can send the cores back after replacement. If you look around, you can find them with just the trailing arms, new bearings and bushings. Other places offer that plus rotors and s.s. park brake kits and the run-out on the rotors is matched.

[Mack Frazier]

Re: C-3 Rear Wheel Bearings

If you don't rebuild these things every day, chances sre you won't do as good a job as some one who does. Just getting all the stuff out can be a bear, if anything is "froze up". Bair's and Van Steel are both reputable shops. (Van Steel rebuilt mine.) If you're concerned about down time, there are some places that will ship you a rebuilt trailing arm and you can send the cores back after replacement. If you look around, you can find them with just the trailing arms, new bearings and bushings. Other places offer that plus rotors and s.s. park brake kits and the run-out on the rotors is matched.

[Patrick H.]

Re: I agree w/Pat.....

George,

Van Steel also supplies for many catalogs such as Corvette Central, Zip, and MidAmerica and Ecklers too.

Patrick Hulst

[Patrick H.]

Re: I agree w/Pat.....

George,

Van Steel also supplies for many catalogs such as Corvette Central, Zip, and MidAmerica and Ecklers too.

Patrick Hulst

[George Daina]

Pat, yogi owns the whole town of Linesville, Pa.

He's just past the Ohio state border, by Pymatuning Lake, and about 1.5 hr drive from Cleveland. I enjoy the drive to his place and a nice guy to chat with. He's got storage places that practically occupy the whole town. NOS & used fender panels for C1's-C3's. During my first visit, I spent the whole day with him, bought some parts, and he gave me, N/C, the front crossmember brace for my 68. He said this piece has been in the attic for more than 28 years. This is the brace that bolts on to the front frame horns, and the U horn bolts on that gives the fron end strength. Mine was shot, the 69 & later had round holes, but this was the real McCoy for a 68, only had a little ding in a corner. Put it in a vice and, presto, perfect. Anyway, the first company to mold panels for the 53 & 54 is just down the street from him. I asked if they still have the molds, yep was his reply.

Saw two restored rolling chassis, one a 67 small block, the other 71 BB. Pat, the quality of the work is unbelievable.

[George Daina]

Pat, yogi owns the whole town of Linesville, Pa.

He's just past the Ohio state border, by Pymatuning Lake, and about 1.5 hr drive from Cleveland. I enjoy the drive to his place and a nice guy to chat with. He's got storage places that practically occupy the whole town. NOS & used fender panels for C1's-C3's. During my first visit, I spent the whole day with him, bought some parts, and he gave me, N/C, the front crossmember brace for my 68. He said this piece has been in the attic for more than 28 years. This is the brace that bolts on to the front frame horns, and the U horn bolts on that gives the fron end strength. Mine was shot, the 69 & later had round holes, but this was the real McCoy for a 68, only had a little ding in a corner. Put it in a vice and, presto, perfect. Anyway, the first company to mold panels for the 53 & 54 is just down the street from him. I asked if they still have the molds, yep was his reply.

Saw two restored rolling chassis, one a 67 small block, the other 71 BB. Pat, the quality of the work is unbelievable.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Pat, yogi owns the whole town of Linesville, P

George,

Thanks for the info. I've never heard a bad word about him, but never personally interacted. I have just have the pleasure of dealing with Art at Van Steel, thus my preference at this time.

Keep the revs up,

Patrick

[Patrick H.]

Re: Pat, yogi owns the whole town of Linesville, P

George,

Thanks for the info. I've never heard a bad word about him, but never personally interacted. I have just have the pleasure of dealing with Art at Van Steel, thus my preference at this time.

Keep the revs up,

Patrick