C2 rear spindles/bearings

[Steve D.]

Using the spindle set-up tool, the outer bearing seats against the shoulder of the tool. In the actual installation, is the spindle pulled into the bearing far enough for the outer bearing to seat against the shoulder of the spindle?

What I am referring to as the "shoulder" is the flat (or almost flat) ledge where the machined surface terminates. The reason I ask is that I pulled the spindle into the bearing assembly as far as the installation tool would pull it , but the outer bearing did not reach the spindle shoulder. As a result, the flare does not come into the outer seal, which means that grease will leak everywhere.

Steve

[Joe L.]

Re: C2 rear spindles/bearings

Steve-----

The outer bearing should DEFINITELY seat against the "shoulder" on the spindle. That's ABSOLUTELY, POSITIVELY critical. The bearing should get pulled in to the spindle seat when the installation tool is used or when the spindle nut is torqued to 100 lb/ft. If this doesn't happen, then there must be something holding it off, like a burr, etc.

Like I've said many times before, rebuilding these trailing arms is NOT as simple as it might seem. I got my "education" by destroying a lot of parts in the "learning" process. In my opinion, for someone that's more interested in just getting the job done right rather than "learning" how to do it, one is better off sending the trailing arms out to someone who's already learned and has the experience necessary to ensure that the job gets done right THE FIRST TIME. By the way, that "someone" is NOT me; even though I've lerned how to do it and gained the experience ("painfully" and EXPENSIVELY), I NEVER, EVER perform work on anyone else's cars or components besides my own. NEVER, EVER, EVER. PERIOD. Bairs, Van Steel, and Carter's Corvette do, though. That's who I recommend.

[Joe C.]

Re: C2 rear spindles/bearings

Steve:

I hope you are using all new bearings and races. Are you using a new spindle/hub? Did you damage the bearing surface of the spindle during the removal of the old bearing? If you, or someone else used excessive heat to remove the old bearing, then I would use the old spindle and hub as a doorstop.

Joe

[Steve D.]

Re: C2 rear spindles/bearings

Joe

New bearings and races, and spindle is in good shape. I will revisit the process and make sure that I didn't miss something.

Steve

[Steve D.]

Re: C2 rear spindles/bearings

Joe

Thanks.

I'm in the "want to learn how to do it right" category, and am not in a hurry.

Steve

[John M.]

Re: C2 rear spindles/bearings

Steve, Did you press the bearing onto the spindle or try to "pull" it on by torqueing the nut? It should be pressed on (alot of force needed) with a tool to fit properly.

[Steve D.]

Re: C2 rear spindles/bearings

John

I used the tool fabricated by International Axle. I'm not sure what I did wrong the first time, but on the second pass the outer bearing seated properly on the shoulder of the spindle. Everything looks good now.

Steve