Rear wheel bearings

chuckhinva · 07-03-06, 10:06 AM

Looks like I'm going to get to swap out the rear wheel bearings in my '81. Anybody have a set of bearing tools (knocker, puller, set-up, installation) I can borrow, rent, or buy? Don't really want to spend $300+ for this once in a lifetime event.

GaryS · 07-03-06, 11:24 AM

Just a word of caution here, if you haven't done this before it is a rather daunting task. I was at a training session and watched a fellow do the bearings on a trailing arm. The knowledge level, required tools, and experience required was far more than that for standard bearings that I am used to. I decided that this was going to be my contribution to the economy by paying someone else to do it.
Gary

6880 Mike · 07-03-06, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GaryS

....by paying someone else to do it.

I agree. In the log run, it's better to ship them to the pros and have them rebuilt.

JohnZ · 07-03-06, 03:55 PM

If you haven't done it before, don't have the special tools, precision measuring equipment, and access to at least a 10-ton press, don't take it on yourself; there are frequent complications as you dig into it, and the bearings have to be set up perfectly - this is not a home-mechanic job. Send the trailing arms out to Bair's or Van Steel - they do them every day.

LVMYVT76 · 07-03-06, 04:05 PM

Van Steel did mine and they did an excellant job.

chuckhinva · 07-03-06, 08:20 PM

Do you know if you can take the spindle supports out of the trailing arms without unbolting the half shaft yoke? You convinced me professional is the way to go but don't really want to pull out the trailing arms.

GaryS · 07-04-06, 08:49 AM

I doubt seriously that you can do this work with the TA still on the car. Fwiw, the trailing arm is relatively easy to remove, provided you have the special tool to remove the shock absorber. I would guess that a TA can be removed in an hour. I have removed them from a 72, 73, and 66. All come apart in the same manner.

Gary

ruby76 · 07-05-06, 10:31 AM

can't you just remove the bearing support from the TA and ship that? I don't see why you need to have the TA off at all.

Nut · 07-10-06, 07:20 AM

Chuck..... take it over to Tony's Covette's in Gaitherburg and have it done right. And if you're going to do one side, you might as well do both sides.

nut

ChuckG · 07-10-06, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nut

Chuck..... take it over to Tony's Covette's in Gaitherburg and have it done right. And if you're going to do one side, you might as well do both sides.

nut

Tony's done 2 sets for me, the 63 and the 69. There is NO WAY I would mess with rear wheel bearings, and I'm a pretty good amateur mechanic.

You need many specialty tools and gauges, a large press, etc. It's just not worth messing with them yourself.

Van Steel and Bair's also will do an excellent job, but you can drive to Tony's in Gaithersburg. Chuck

fine69 · 07-10-06, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nut

Chuck..... take it over to Tony's Covette's in Gaitherburg and have it done right. And if you're going to do one side, you might as well do both sides.
.nut

I have spoken to Tony in the past about doing trailing arms. He showed me a sample of his work (awesome), and also gave me a word of caution about trying to do these yourself.... (don't). I'll definitely take mine to Tony when it's time... probably for interior refurnsih as well.