C1 Front Wheel Bearing Adjustment

[Richard P.]

I have just replaced my front wheel (ball) bearings on my 1956. The owner's manual on page 31 states tighten spindle nut to 33 foot pounds then back off to line up spindle holes and spindle nut. Corvette Service Guide (ST-12) on page 3-2 states tighten spindle nut to 33 foot pounds, back off until loose and retorque to 12 ft lbs then back off if needed to align hole and nut. Motors Auto Repair Manual (1964) states on page 616 tighten spindle nut to 28 ft lbs and rotate wheel to seat bearings, back off adjusting nut until bearings are loose then re-torque to 12 ft lbs backing off nut if necessary. I have to admit I went with the majority opinion backing off until loose then re-torqueing to 12 ft lbs. Not anxious to repeat this project in the near future I am looking for guidance from this elite group as to the proper method of adjusting C-1 front wheel bearings

[Ray G.]

Re: C1 Front Wheel Bearing Adjustment

"Corvette Service Guide (ST-12) on page 3-2 states tighten spindle nut to 33 foot pounds, back off until loose and retorque to 12 ft lbs then back off if needed to align hole and nut."
And turn the wheel while your adjusting the nut. Just as important as the adjusting procedure is sealing the spindle nut cap to eliminate grease leaking from the bearing area.
my .2

[Steven B.]

Re: C1 Front Wheel Bearing Adjustment

Richard, I did this some years ago and used the ST-12 directions. I use the ST-12 because it has Chevy origins. Good Luck! Steve

[John H.]

Re: C1 Front Wheel Bearing Adjustment

I have just replaced my front wheel (ball) bearings on my 1956. The owner's manual on page 31 states tighten spindle nut to 33 foot pounds then back off to line up spindle holes and spindle nut. Corvette Service Guide (ST-12) on page 3-2 states tighten spindle nut to 33 foot pounds, back off until loose and retorque to 12 ft lbs then back off if needed to align hole and nut.

Richard -

The procedure in the '56 owner's manual on page 31 (AND on page 32-33 in the '57 owner's manual) are DEAD WRONG, and if followed will destroy the wheel bearings. The process in the ST-12 Servicing Guide is correct and should be used.

[Steven B.]

Re: C1 Front Wheel Bearing Adjustment

John, thanks for posting! I never paid attention to that section of my '57 Owner's Manual. Steve

[Richard P.]

Re: C1 Front Wheel Bearing Adjustment

Thanks John, I suspected as much but with such a big discrepancy I needed some reinforcement. Hard to believe that it was in 2 years of manuals. Rick

[Paul J.]

Re: C1 Front Wheel Bearing Adjustment

Richard,

In general, the ST-12 procedure can be used for any older vehicle with this spindle design. Torque recommendations vary with manufacturer, but 30-35 ft lbs to set the bearings and 11-12 ft lbs final torque is pretty standard. Like Ray said, don't forget to turn the wheel to keep the bearings free.

Paul

[Tom B.]

Re: C1 Front Wheel Bearing Adjustment

I've used the ST-12 procedure on any old Chevy and never had a problem. This was the way I was told to do it by a garage owner a couple of blocks from me when I lived at home way back in the '60s.

Tom