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I solved my problem concerning installation of rear wheel bearings being to tight after pulling them through the spindle support.......wrong inner bearing seal. I used some seals that I had bought for my 79 some time ago and the inner diameter on the national seal # 9178S was to small causing the spindle flange to bind up when torqued down. Now why is it in my Zip catalog, only one part number for the inner seal is listed for 63 to 82? I now have used a Chicago Rawhide seal # 16757 and it worked fine. Is there a difference in a 79 and 65 rear bearing inner seal??
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Re: 65 wheel bearings.....again
Mike-----
The inner (and outer) rear wheel bearing seals on all 63-82 Corvettes are FUNCTIONALLY the same and will interchange. However, the seal designs from different manufacturers (and even those available from GM which are all manufactured by independent seal manufacturers) have changed over the years.
The original GM inner seal, GM #3794002, was used throughout 63-82 PRODUCTION. This seal was a National 9178S. In this seal design a "flat" circular rubber seal is "sandwiched" between 2 steel shells which form the frame of the seal. Later SERVICE seals available from GM may be of a lip seal design. In this design, a curved seal is bonded to the stamped steel frame. A spring wire "tensioner" may or may not underlie the seal, depending upon seal manufacturer. The technology to produce the bonded type seal did not exist at the time that the original seals were manufactured. All CR manufactured seals are of the bonded lip seal design, regardless of whether they are obtained under a GM part number or otherwise obtained through aftermarket parts channels under the CR brand.
The original seal design will produce significantly greater drag on the assembly than the later lip seal design. This increased drag can mimic a "tight bearing set-up". However, it's only the drag created by the seal.
Which seal design do I prefer? The original.In Appreciation of John Hinckley -
Re: 65 wheel bearings.....again
Mike-----
The inner (and outer) rear wheel bearing seals on all 63-82 Corvettes are FUNCTIONALLY the same and will interchange. However, the seal designs from different manufacturers (and even those available from GM which are all manufactured by independent seal manufacturers) have changed over the years.
The original GM inner seal, GM #3794002, was used throughout 63-82 PRODUCTION. This seal was a National 9178S. In this seal design a "flat" circular rubber seal is "sandwiched" between 2 steel shells which form the frame of the seal. Later SERVICE seals available from GM may be of a lip seal design. In this design, a curved seal is bonded to the stamped steel frame. A spring wire "tensioner" may or may not underlie the seal, depending upon seal manufacturer. The technology to produce the bonded type seal did not exist at the time that the original seals were manufactured. All CR manufactured seals are of the bonded lip seal design, regardless of whether they are obtained under a GM part number or otherwise obtained through aftermarket parts channels under the CR brand.
The original seal design will produce significantly greater drag on the assembly than the later lip seal design. This increased drag can mimic a "tight bearing set-up". However, it's only the drag created by the seal.
Which seal design do I prefer? The original.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: 65 wheel bearings.....again
Then I was probably OK all along.........somethings you just have to learn from experience. I have the lip design now and will leave it that way .......am not taking it apart again. I also have an extra set of bearings bought at chicago corvette that are from romania, made by URB. Are these any good? Thanks for your help JoeComment
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Re: 65 wheel bearings.....again
Then I was probably OK all along.........somethings you just have to learn from experience. I have the lip design now and will leave it that way .......am not taking it apart again. I also have an extra set of bearings bought at chicago corvette that are from romania, made by URB. Are these any good? Thanks for your help JoeComment
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Re: 65 wheel bearings.....again
Mike-----
I don't know anything about the URB bearings. A lot of bearings are foreign-manufactured these days.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: 65 wheel bearings.....again
Mike-----
I don't know anything about the URB bearings. A lot of bearings are foreign-manufactured these days.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: 65 wheel bearings.....again
Mike - for future reference, I have had great luck going to a local bearing supply house and buying Timken US manufactured bearings WAY WAY cheaper than anything you can get from GM if they still offer the bearings in NDH. I don't know anything about some of the foreign units, but, my preference is Timken. CraigComment
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Re: 65 wheel bearings.....again
Mike - for future reference, I have had great luck going to a local bearing supply house and buying Timken US manufactured bearings WAY WAY cheaper than anything you can get from GM if they still offer the bearings in NDH. I don't know anything about some of the foreign units, but, my preference is Timken. CraigComment
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good advice, thanks Craig *NM*
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good advice, thanks Craig *NM*
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Re: 65 wheel bearings.....again
I don't know if they still sell them, but I used to see a sign in Auto Zones window display advertising that they have Timken bearings.Comment
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Re: 65 wheel bearings.....again
I don't know if they still sell them, but I used to see a sign in Auto Zones window display advertising that they have Timken bearings.Comment
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