Wheel bearing saga-On the Road Again

[Gerard F.]

And in less than three weeks:



New Left Rear trailing arm assembly and we did it in my office gravel parking lot. Less than a week to make the decision to buying whole new assemblies, one week to get the parts, and one week to to get a local experienced mechanic to make a house call. I assisted.

I had previously taken the brake caliper off to clean and paint. When I took it off, the wheel spindle and rotor fell to the ground. Here is how it looked this afternoon:



The shock mount came out fairly easy. After removing the shock and spring bolt, jacking up the leaf spring, the shock mount nut was just loosened, and we pounded on the end of the threaded shaft with a hitch pin and hammer. Once loosened it came out easy.

With the way the spindle was broken, we didn't have to struggle with the spindle flange bolts, behind the spindle housing. We just pulled the pivot bolt and shims in the front, pulled the arm outward and the spindle flange, U joint and half shaft fell to the ground. Easier to remove the spindle shaft bolts on the ground. Here's what it looked like with the trailing arm removed:



(since I ran out of photo room, this story is continued to the next post below)

[Gerard F.]

Re: Wheel bearing saga-On the Road Again

Well we got the new trailing arm on:



Note the finish on the caliper, I got dinged on it last time. We found that it is always nice to have an extra floor jack to manuver the trailing arm in position after you set the pivot bolt. We used the incorrect shims with the slotted holes for ease of putting them in. Maybe some day I'll correct them, but we were working in the dirt.

But I did go for a new brake caliper line, correct spring bolt and rubber bushings, all new bolts.

After bleeding the brakes, we were ready to go:



Just 2 1/2 hours later, working in the dirt. Bet this would be done a lot faster in a shop.

So, I'm on the road again:



Even my parking brake works.

But going to take it easy for a few weeks until I get the other side done, but then in a shop, with a realignment.

Having fun,

[Joseph K.]

Re: Wheel bearing saga-On the Road Again

Good job I did not get so lucky when I removed mine in the 69. The bolts were rust right to the frame and they had to be sawed off. It was the worst experience.

[Chuck G.]

Re: Wheel bearing saga-On the Road Again

Glad you're back on the road, Jerry.

Chuck

[Jim T.]

Re: Wheel bearing saga-On the Road Again

Gerald your new trialing arm really looks good. I see from your pictures that you bought an assembly that has the rotor riveted to the spindle. Was your new trailing arm purchased from Bair's?
With the same done to the other side you will have the assurance that you can be on the road and not have any rear wheel bearing issues for a very long time.

[Gerard F.]

Re: Wheel bearing saga-On the Road Again

Jim,

They were purchased through Paragon but they came from Ikerd's. I called Paragon and told them my situation and asked them to put a rush on them.

Couldn't believe the delivery at no extra cost. Ordered on late Friday afternoon and they were on my doorstep the next Friday morning. Additionally, I got the 10% NCRS discount, and now I am on their 15% discount program for certain items in their catalog. Great service from Paragon.

A Happy Camper now,

[Jean C.]

Re: Wheel bearing saga-On the Road Again

Jerry,
Are there any plans for you to market the "Jerry Fuccillo Wine Collection Mechanics Mat" in the near future? Shade tree mechanic work at its best! See you at the Nevada Regional in May?

Cheers,

[Gerard F.]

Re: Wheel bearing saga-On the Road Again

Joseph,

I had redone the brake calipers, and had the rear suspension bushings redone about 5-6 years ago, so this time everything came out easy.

But I know the feeling and how things come off for the first time after 35-40 years. I had the same frustration with the brake caliper bolts, trying to do them on floor jacks in the garage. Finally had to use a propane torch to heat them up a couple of times, before I could break them loose.

[Gerard F.]

Re: Wheel bearing saga-On the Road Again

Charlie,

The mats were rescued from my wife's garbage for the Las Vegas Regional in 2007, and have been to every event since. The Interior Judges love them, I have a matching set, one for each side.

I'll have them at the Nevada Regional as well as at the Convention next year. I keep them in my Samsonite luggage on the luggage rack, with the the other mats, spare parts, and of course, a few bottles of vino.

Maybe I'll clean them up for the next event

Cheers,