C3 Rear Spindel Disassembly

[Bryan Adams]

Ok Guys and Gals I am restoring a 69 vette. I have disassembled sandblasted and
welded up some holes. Last time I posted on this site I got a great answer in
about 24 hours. So I am trying again. I have removed my spindle assembly from
the trailing arm. Everything looks good but what is the remaining disassembly
procedure so that I may replace my wheel bearings and races?

[Joe L.]

Re: C3 Rear Spindel Disassembly

Bryan-----

This issue has been discussed at HUGE length on this board and you should find copious amounts of information in the archives. Rear wheel bearing repair procedures are, essentially, the same for all 1963-82 Corvettes.

Although information is available on the procedure, I don't recommend that you perform this operation yourself. It requires special tools and, most important, experience in doing it. Gaining the experience can be very expensive in terms of parts ruined and "break downs" encountered. I strongly recommend that you remove the trailing arm assemblies and send them off to a specialist for rebuilding. Folks like Carter's Corvette in Livermore, CA, Bair's Corvette in Linesville, PA, and Van Steel in Clearwater, FL are all EXPERT at rebuilding these units. It'll cost you about $600-700 for the pair and it will be money well spent.

[Dick W.]

Re: C3 Rear Spindel Disassembly

Bryan the archives have a ton of info on rear wheel bearing replacement. Unless you have the tools you are FAR better off sending them out to a specialist. It can get quite involved disassembling and assembling the units. I used to do one or two sets a week and still found it could be a very agravating job at times.

[Bryan Adams]

Re: C3 Rear Spindel Disassembly

I am a experianced mechanic and I do have the assembly tool. I am just not sure of where to place my supports to press the old spindle off. Or do I need to use a three armed puller?

[Don Becker #41636]

Re: C3 Rear Spindel Disassembly

Hiya Brian!

I'm currently working on my front suspension, and I haven't got to working on the rear (yet!).

But I did find a link to a site that not only sells parts, but also has a guide to doing the rear:

http://www.fastcorvette.com/RearSpindleSchool.htm

I hear it's a PITA but hey, if it was easy, no one would ever have a problem with it, right?

This is also a good link, they might have some rear stuff as well:

http://www.corvettefaq.com

Have fun and get it back on the road!

-Don

[Mike Cobine]

Re: C3 Rear Spindel Disassembly

If you have the typical flat plate tool with the large spindle pressing screw in the center, then you should have two long bolts at the top that connect to the brake caliper bracket and at the bottom a bolt, usually on a pivot, that threads into a crossbar held on the outside of the lower strut rod bracket.

I've found it is easier to do this on the car and attach an axle puller to the outside, so that you can tighten the screw to press and pull on the slide hammer on the outside to "persuade" it all to come apart.

The hard part is putting it back together, and you will find lots of information on how to set the spacing, pick the shims, and so on in the archives.

You will also find lots of information why haivng it done by a shop that specializes in this, as others have said.

[Harold #43147]

Knock It

Bryan remove the flange nut and flange they sell a tool that screws onto the spindle and you can knock it out with a 3 Lbs sledge when the spindal comes out it will take the out board bearing and seal with it. Use a bearing sperator( Harbor Freight Tools about $9.00) to remove this bearing by screwing bolts through the seperator contacting the spindal flange. The spacer system is the same principle as setting preload on a rear pinon gear instead of rotational tork it is end play with a dial indicator I set to .001 to do this with out buying the spacing set up tool buy extra set of bearings and take a 120 grit sanding drum on a drill or die grinder and open up the bearings so it slides on the spindal these will be your set up bearings because you will be pulling the spindal in and out adjusting shim's til you get the right end play. I have the all the special tools for doing this job this is how I did them before I could afford the tools and never had a bearing failer. When you reinstall polish up the journal areas were the bearings press on it will make installation easier these are press fit bearings. I pulled the spindal through with the flange nut flange installed tork the nut tight then rap the center spindal with a heavy hammer tork up some more and repeat until spindal is seated. The bearings have to be packed and seals installed. Your a mechanic you can do this no sweat.

[Craig S.]

Re: C3 Rear Spindel Disassembly

Bryan - here is what you need to do it right, including all the set up shim kits to get the clearance just right.....Craig




International Axle Spindle Tools