<VV> '64 Axle Stub

[Frank DuVal]

Yes, bad wheel bearings are serious. If you can only move the axle by 
wiggling the u-joint end, but not by wiggling it at the wheel bearing, 
then the wheel bearing is not the problem. The wheel bearing does rotate 
among its own center, hard to describe in words, a picture would be 
better, but the axle should not move relative to the bearing either 
axially or radially. The axle should make an arc with the bearing as the 
center point of the arc. It is not a standard pillow block bearing design.

It seems the problem is in the differential, since that is where the 
axle moves the most.

I have seen many earlies move their axles in this manner, and we just 
kept driving them. But you should check the outer differential bearing 
and axle stub/yoke. Pull the axle and look for wear on the axle stub and 
feel the bearing to see if it is worn.

Do investigate the noise, as the wheel bearing or differential bearing 
could be the culprit of noise.

At the least you need an axle seal on the differential to stop the oil 
leak (you are certain it is a gear oil leak?). Do both sides while you 
are in there.

The absolute best way to check early axle bearing is to buy the tool 
from Blue Chip machine to remove them from the axle. They come off no 
problem, not damaged like with a standard press and clamshell bearing 
remover. Open, clean, inspect, and grease/reinstall if it passes 
inspection. Yes, the tool is pricy, but all good tools are pricy. Just 
ask a Snap-On user! I suggest clubs pool their money to buy one for 
every early owner in their club to use. If you save two bearings, you 
have paid for the tool. If you never inspect and clean your early 
bearings, they will fail at some point. Usually at an inconvenient time.

Frank DuVal


On 12/20/2014 6:00 PM, Charles Cromwell via VirtualVairs wrote:
> Do not drive it until it is replaced. Your description sounds like a bad wheel bearing , and that is serious.Chuck
>
>       On Saturday, December 20, 2014 4:56 PM, Ron Hinz via VirtualVairs <virtualvairs at corvair.org> wrote:
>     
>
>   A friend has a ‘64 on which the right axle stub can be wiggled noticeably by shaking the U joint.  Does this indicate that the retainer is out of adjustment or that the bearing is shot?  He has noticed some noise coming from it and it has been leaking oil.  Any ideas on this?
>
> RonH in Washington