<VV> So..how about these early wheel bearings?

[Frank DuVal]

First, you can try and remove the seal from the backside of the bearing 
and add wheel bearing grease. If this quiets the noise, it could buy you 
some time.

I have changed many a wheel bearing without heat using my Harbor Freight 
12 ton press. The real trick is to have a jig (blocks, angle iron, 
bearing clamp, something) to grab the puller ring while pushing the axle 
out of the bearing. A long pipe of the right diameter to apply pressure 
to the inner race while installing the bearing is also very important. 
Never press on the race that is not sliding in the bore. Or, never press 
on a race that has to divert the pressure through the bearings (balls or 
rollers) to the race that needs to move. Clear? Most machine shops have 
the accessories to do this. But you might want to find your own pipe.

Most of the bearings I have removed have not been reuseable due to the 
destructive forces needed to remove. So normally I just install a used 
axle shaft with a good bearing. Greased before installation.

Frank DuVal

Tim Verthein wrote:

>Alright... it *seems* that the trusty '64 may be in the market for some
>rear wheel bearing work.  Ryan can detect a bit of a low rumble when we
>drive (apparently I'm to deaf to hear it). After trying to figure out
>what the sound was, we finally put the rear on jack stands and put her
>in gear and you can hear a bit of a rumble from the right rear, nothing
>from the left rear. Also, if you grab the wheel and give 'er a good
>push in and out, there's a bit of play that's not present on the other
>side. 
>
>Now, I had just commented after seeing Clarks is reproing the early 
>wheel bearings, that it would be a good idea to replace both of them,
>so I know I'm good for basically the rest of my life, so I don't
>consider this any sort of crisis.  But I have questions (naturally)....
>
>>From what I can gather, this is not the sort of job for the faint of
>heart.  Machine shop, press, torch, swearing,, all words I've heard
>associated with this project. Where might one go to have this sort of
>job done? I don't suspect that in my immediate area (small town
>northern Minnesota) there's anyone who has ever done this before, but
>perhaps in Minneapolis/St. Paul?  Wheel bearing gurus....spill forth
>your pot of knowledge in this matter so we may press onward.
>
>In the meantime, am I to suspect that driving is a death-defying feat?
>We're talking a low rumble that to me is hardly discernable.  I assume
>too that it can't be anything else? I swear I had barely noticed this
>sound last season. is it possible that it's just normal Corvair noise?
>What does a failing wheel bearing actually sound like?
>
>Hints and tips appreciated!
>
>Tim in Bovey
>
>===
>You *can* repair a flip-flop with a capacitor!
>===
>
>__________________________________________________
>Do You Yahoo!?
>Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around 
>http://mail.yahoo.com 
> _______________________________________________
>This message was sent by the VirtualVairs mailing list, all copyrights are the property
>of the writer, please attribute properly. For help, mailto:vv-help at corvair.org
>This list sponsored by the Corvair Society of America, http://www.corvair.org/
>Post messages to: VirtualVairs at corvair.org
>Change your options: http://www.vv.corvair.org/mailman/options/virtualvairs 
> _______________________________________________
>
>  
>