'69 front weheel bearing questions

[Jeffrey S.]

Hello all.
While I have the front rotors off, I want to repack the bearings. The outer bearing came right out and is no problem but I have 2 questions. 1. Can I remove the inner bearing by tapping it out from the inside with a drift or is there a better way? The bearings were replace a few years ago so I don't want to damage them. 2. What do I torque the spindle nut to when tighteng it on the spindle? I can't seem to find this value in either the AIM or the service manual (maybe I'm not looking in the right places). As always, thanks for your expertise and help.
Jeff Salz #13182

[Jim T.]

Re: '69 front weheel bearing questions

Jeff from what you have written, with the rotors off the car all you have to do is remove the seal and the bearing will fall out in your hand. Don't be concerned with damaging the seal in removing it as you should install new seals doing this maintenance. My 1970 Chevrolet service manual covers 1969 Corvettes and the torque while spinning the wheel is 12 foot pounds while rotating spinning the wheel. Noted difference in service manual precedures for 1963 Corvette lists 15 foot pounds or 180 inch pounds torque while rotating the wheel. Both manuals read "back off adjusting nut one flat to insert cotter pin." If the cotter pin will not go in with the one flat backed off, back it off a half flat to insert cotter pin. Rotate wheeel afterwards to ensure it rotates smoothly. Doing this spinning/rotating the wheel you might hold off installing the brake caliper untill after you have installed the wheel and completed the bearing adjustment to reduce drag on the rotor.

[William V.]

Re: '69 front weheel bearing questions

Jeff

Use caution when removing the inner bearing. Do not drop it or you may damage the bearing cage and have to replace the bearing. Also when cleaning the bearing use compressed air but do not let the air pressure spin the bearing. This may also damage the cage.

Good luck

[Duke W.]

Re: '69 front weheel bearing questions

As stated, just pry off the seal from the hub and remove the bearing. Always use new seals when the bearings are removed for repacking.

The initial torque spec is to "seat" the bearings. The final setting is one to five thou CLEARANCE. The spindle has 20 threads per inch and two perpendicular cotter pin holes and the nut has six flats, which allows it to be set in one-twelveth turn increments. This works out to four thou movement for each twelveth turn.

It takes a little practice, but once you torque the nut and back it off a flat, you should advance the nut as far as possible and still have a little "wiggle" in the assembly that you can feel by grabbing the top and bottom of the tire. Keep advancing the nut in one-twelvth turn increments and insert the cotter pin, but don't spread it until the wiggle disappears, then back off one-twelveth, check that it has a bit of wiggle and set the cotter pin.

Duke

[Joe L.]

Re: '69 front weheel bearing questions

Jeff-----

Also, if you are going to re-use the bearings, then there is no need, whatsoever, to remove the bearing races. These are the parts that are removed from the opposite side by driving them out with a drift.

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: '69 front weheel bearing questions

Thank you all very much for your help. Tomorrow I will go pick up a pair of seals and do what needs to be done. You folks are a terrific group. Thanks again.
Jeff

[Verle R.]

Re: '69 front weheel bearing questions

Also, when repacking bearings, there is no need to put large amounts of grease inside the hub. The grease in well packed bearings is all that is needed.

Verle

[Terry M.]

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: '69 front weheel bearing questions

Verle-
Thanks for the tip. I finally found the place in the service manual that talks about wheel bearing service and that is exactly what the manual says.
Terry- I am using high speed wheel bearing grease that specifically lists disc brakes as a use. Thanks for the reminder.
Jeff