C-1 Axle Retainers

[Terry B.]

Over the last several months I have had the need to learn about the rear axle of a 1957 C-1. The current issue I am trying to resolve involves the rear axle bearing retainer (see page 4-3 figure 2 in the 1957 Chevrolet Shop Manual). I have had knowledgeable people tell me that there may be at least four different retainers used from 56 to 62. I did not feel confident with what I was hearing so I dug out my Chevrolet Chassis Parts and Accessories Catalog effective October 1, 1961 to look for retainer numbers. I think I found two numbers in group 5.816. Both were for a 62. One was with metallic linings and a 3.55 axle (3755959) and one was without those options (3739104). I am missing something! What are the retainer numbers for the years 56 to 61? Were those retainers called something else in the parts book? When I find a retainer at a swap meet, how do I identify which GM/Chevrolet model it belongs to? Does the bearing retainer depth match up in some way to the axle bearing thickness? Is the only difference between the bearing retainers in the depth of the "axle hole"? Are there any reproductions of these parts? And last, is there any printed material that would help identify and answer some of these questions? Thank you in advance for your help.

[Tom P.]

Re: C-1 Axle Retainers

Terry,
Here is what I've learned/observed after working on early Chevys and Corvettes for almost 50yrs. I DO NOT claim to be an expert-------BY NO MEANS, but I can virtually rebuild and identify early rears, axles and bearings blind folded. Almost every time I ask for information in this specific area of early Chevys, no one seems to know as much as I do.

So, with that said, I have only seen 3 different styles of 55-64 (56-62 Vette) axle bearing retainers.
The first 2 pictures are a comparrison of 55-56 (56 Vette) and 57-64 (57-62 Vette) style axles/axle bearing retainers. The deep retainer is 55-6 ONLY, and the 55-6 axle, bearing and retainer is unique to, and will ONLY fit 55-56 axle housings. You CANNOT interchange 55-6 and 57-64 axles/housings.





The axle bearing retainers for 57, 58-64 (62 for Vettes)-------------as I have observed--------------are shown below, along with the 55-56 style (57 is center).


Here is a comparrison of 57(left) and 58-64 axle bearing retainers. The difference is pointed out with the pencil.





Now, with all of the above mentioned. Here is what makes the difference, because of the bearings.
The 55-6 bearing is a smaller diameter than the 57-64 bearing. BUT, the 55-6 and 57 bearings are the SAME width.
The 57 and 58-64 bearings are the same DIAMETER, but the 58-64 bearing is about 1/8in wider-----------------thus, the difference in 57 and 58-64 bearing retainers.
Here is a comparrison of 55-6, 57, 58-64 bearings.




During the production of 58-62 Vettes, those built AT THE FACTORY with positraction, received ROLLER bearings, all others got ball bearings. The roller bearings and the 58-62 ball bearings (RW607NR) are the same width. Roller bearings have not been available for MANY, MANY years. So the only choice for 58-62 axle bearings is the RW607NR (or BR) ball bearings.
Also, sometime during 58-62 production, a spacer was used between the axle bearing and the axle housing, and the thinner 57 style bearing was used. But I've not seen enough 58-62 ORIGINAL axles/bearings to say for sure which cars did or did not have the spacer. Since the ONLY style bearing that is now still available for 58-62 Vettes is the RW607NR type bearing, the spacer is NOT needed.
Hopefully some of this answers your question.

[Tom P.]

Re: C-1 Axle Retainers

By the way, since we're on the subject of early Vette axles, here is what is shared between pass cars and Vettes.
The 55-56 pass car and 56 Vette axles and bearings are the same.
The 57-58 pass car and 57-62 Vettes share the same axles---------------------------EXCEPT (IMPORTANT), the 57 Vette and 57 pass cars used the thinner bearing and 58-62 Vettes/cars used the thicker bearing.
And one last detail. The 59-64 pass car axles are slightly longer AND WILL FIT INTO THE 58-62 VETTE AXLE HOUSINGS. BUUUUUUUUUUT, this will make the rear wheels of the 58-62 Vettes stick out slightly further from the housing.
The difference is that 59-64 pass car axles are longer from the bearing seat to the wheel flange. The axle shafts are the same from the splined end to the bearing seat.
Below shows the additional length of 59-64 pass car axles.

[Barry H.]

Re: C-1 Axle Retainers

Tom, Thanks for the detailed description of the diffrences in the axle/bearing configurations between Corvette & Chevy, this article will help us home grown restorers make fewer mistakes while restoring our origional differential assemblys. Barry Holmes

[Stephen R.]

Re: C-1 Axle Retainers

Terry,
Here is what I've learned/observed after working on early Chevys and Corvettes for almost 50yrs. I DO NOT claim to be an expert-------BY NO MEANS, but I can virtually rebuild and identify early rears, axles and bearings blind folded. Almost every time I ask for information in this specific area of early Chevys, no one seems to know as much as I do.

So, with that said, I have only seen 3 different styles of 55-64 (56-62 Vette) axle bearing retainers.
The first 2 pictures are a comparrison of 55-56 (56 Vette) and 57-64 (57-62 Vette) style axles/axle bearing retainers. The deep retainer is 55-6 ONLY, and the 55-6 axle, bearing and retainer is unique to, and will ONLY fit 55-56 axle housings. You CANNOT interchange 55-6 and 57-64 axles/housings.





The axle bearing retainers for 57, 58-64 (62 for Vettes)-------------as I have observed--------------are shown below, along with the 55-56 style (57 is center).


Here is a comparrison of 57(left) and 58-64 axle bearing retainers. The difference is pointed out with the pencil.





Now, with all of the above mentioned. Here is what makes the difference, because of the bearings.
The 55-6 bearing is a smaller diameter than the 57-64 bearing. BUT, the 55-6 and 57 bearings are the SAME width.
The 57 and 58-64 bearings are the same DIAMETER, but the 58-64 bearing is about 1/8in wider-----------------thus, the difference in 57 and 58-64 bearing retainers.
Here is a comparrison of 55-6, 57, 58-64 bearings.




During the production of 58-62 Vettes, those built AT THE FACTORY with positraction, received ROLLER bearings, all others got ball bearings. The roller bearings and the 58-62 ball bearings (RW607NR) are the same width. Roller bearings have not been available for MANY, MANY years. So the only choice for 58-62 axle bearings is the RW607NR (or BR) ball bearings.
Also, sometime during 58-62 production, a spacer was used between the axle bearing and the axle housing, and the thinner 57 style bearing was used. But I've not seen enough 58-62 ORIGINAL axles/bearings to say for sure which cars did or did not have the spacer. Since the ONLY style bearing that is now still available for 58-62 Vettes is the RW607NR type bearing, the spacer is NOT needed.
Hopefully some of this answers your question.

Wow, you just don't get any clearer than this. Great info.

[Terry B.]

Re: C-1 Axle Retainers

Mr. Parsons, when the master speaks there is not a lot to add except a sincere thank you for sharing your knowledge. I would like to add to this post with a short story. Monday I pulled and printed your replies just before lunch. I do a lot of windshield time at my job and I drive past a small old time body shop many times during the week. Each time I drive past it is not unusual to see a C-1, 2 or 3 in the shop. Armed with your information / pictures I stopped at this shop to see if I could get some new leads in finding a "one year only" pair of retainers for a 57. I spoke with the owner and showed him the pictures of what I was looking for. He turned around and walked to a pile of iron and after moving several hundred pounds of control arms, steering linkage and other stuff he revealed two rear axles. One, he said, was a Ford 9 inch and the other axle was from a 57 Corvette drag car. He pointed to the retainers and asked if they were what I was looking for. I said yes. He pulled the axles and loaded them in my trunk telling me to clean them up and to return what I don't need. We will settle on the price when I go back. Using a putty knife to remove some dirt and your pictures to use as reference, I think I found the one year only retainers. It took about an hour after first reading your reply. Seldom do I have that kind of luck. (I should have gone and bought a lotto ticket)! Again, thank you for your reply and have a great day.