C2 Rear bearings...

[Bill Braun 33186]

The passenger side rear wheel bearing in my '67 began to squeak a little a few weeks ago. After jacking the car up, I tested the wheel for play (I don't have the end-play dial indicator). Shaking the wheel from side to side (ie holding at 9 and 3 o'clock) did nothing, but shaking up and down (holding at 12 and 6 o'clock) revealed definite "play".

Is this unusual? I would have expected play at all angles.

Bill Braun

[Duke W.]

Re: C2 Rear bearings...

It depends. With some experience you can "feel" the amount of clearance. Use the front as a guide. The rear should be about the same. By grapping the tire at the top and bottom you are using the mass of the wheel/tire, which is not the case if you try to wiggle them side to side.

The same happens at the front. You can feel the play up and down, but typically not side to side, and side to side can also introduce movement in the steering linkage.

I've never has a rear wheel bearing fail, but typically spalled bearings make a low frequency rumble or growl, not a "squeak". Check the U-joints for play, too.

Duke