Need Help! Rear C1 Axle Bearing and Seal

[Bob H.]

I am replacing the original 1542 Hyatt bearing on my 62. I see in previous posts that the 607 is wider and you do not need the spacer with this bearing.

Will I need to take the axle somewhere to remove the seal in order to get the bearing off? Or is there a way I can remove it and install the new one?

Also, one side of the new bearing looks completely sealed while the other seems to be slightly open. Does the slightly open side go toward the housing so lube gets to the bearing?

I actually think the minor leak I have is because the single O ring is flat as a pancake. The bearing itself seems ok. There seems to be a very minor space, maybe 1/32nd or so where I can move the bearing on the shaft. Shouldn't the seal be up tight against the bearing?

Any help or direction will be greatly appreciated.

Bob

[Richard T.]

Re: Need Help! Rear C1 Axle Bearing and Seal

Bob,
The bearing with a single O ring is a 56/57 I believe. What you need is the one with 2 O rings. Unless you have a press it's best to take your axle to a shop and have the old bearing removed and the new one installed. Also your correct, the open or un sealed end of the bearing should face the center (inside) of the car. Good Luck Rich

[Tom P.]

Re: Need Help! Rear C1 Axle Bearing and Seal

FIRST.
The number of O-rings DO NOT, repeat, DO NOT indicate the year model or version of an axle bearing for a 56-62 Vette.
The number of O-rings, as well as the SIZE of the O-rings is 100% dependant on the MANUFACTURER of the bearing!!!
Some bearing manufacturers made them with one, and some made them with two O-rings.
For the 56-62 Vettes (as well as the 55-64 passenger cars) there were THREE different BALL bearings.
RW507 series for the 55-56
RW307 series for the 57
RW607 series for the 58-64.
ALLLLLLLLLLL 55-56 cars and 56 Vettes ONLY used the RW507 series.
ALLLLLLLLLLL 57 cars and 57 Vettes used the RW307 series.
The 58-64 cars used the RW607 series.
The 58-62 Vettes (WITHOUT posi) used the RW307 series WITH a spacer, BUUUUUUUUUUT, without a spacer, then they will use the RW607 series.
The Posi rears got a ROLLER bearing (now long discontinued) which was the same width as the RW607 series ball bearing.
Today, replacement bearings for the 58-62 can be either a RW307 series WITH a spacer, OR, the RW607 series WITHOUT a spacer (which is the preferred and EASIER bearing to obtain).
Below are the 3 different bearings.




EARLY, original style bearings had a seal only on ONE side and the bearing was lubed by the rearend oil, thus, the open side of the bearing was installed toward the center of the rear.
Later, and replacement bearings now have a seal on BOTH sides, and the seals are totally different. The bearings with seals on both sides are permanently lubed (YA, RIGHT!!!!!!).
The seal on one side of the bearing looks like a seal, and it faces the outside. The seal on the other side looks more like a shield.
THIS SIDE FACES THE OUTSIDE.


THIS SIDE FACES THE INSIDE.


If you are not completely familiar with the bearing replacement process on 55-64 axles, TAKE IT TO SOMEONE WHO IS AND HAS THE PROPER EQUIPMENT TO REPLACE THE BEARING!!!
Otherwise, you can do it yourself. All that is needed is a BIG hammer, a cold chiesel and a press-----------------OH YA, and read the service manual for instructions for the removal/installation of the bearing. Actually, if you know what you are doing, it is TOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO EASY!

[Greg M.]

Re: Need Help! Rear C1 Axle Bearing and Seal

Hey Tom,
It is nice to see that I am not the only one to have a few of the Hyatt 1542's laying around. I took one pair to Bloomington a few years ago and didn't even get an offer! I am not sure that that anyone knew what they really were. That's ok, they arn't hurting anything laying in my garage and if I feel the need, there is always fleabay!

Greg

[Roger W.]

Re: Need Help! Rear C1 Axle Bearing and Seal

This is the best rear axle bearing guide that I have seen. Thanks Tom

[Tom P.]

Re: Need Help! Rear C1 Axle Bearing and Seal

This is the best rear axle bearing guide that I have seen. Thanks Tom

There is NOTHING secret or new about these axle bearings. They have been around for a long time and the early Vette rears are virtually 55-64 passenger car rears that have been MINIMALLY modified to be compatable with a car which took MUCH of its original design and mechanical functions DIRECT from the 49-54 Chevy pass car platform and then later 55-57 Chevy pass cars. It is just EXTEMELY basic Chevy mechanicals, nothing else. For those of us who have worked on old Chevys since the Civil War days, it's almost stuff that can be done blindfolded.
I've been an NCRS member for 30+yrs now, and I really appreciate the effort that goes into the level of restoration that is done to the early cars. But sometimes, I see so much emphasis placed on crayon marks here, head bolt logo there, overspray on parts, etc, etc, etc, and yet it seems that many people have minimal understanding or knowledge of the mechanicals involved with maintaining these cars. Looking "correct" and practical functionability sometimes seem to not go hand in hand.

[Bob H.]

Re: Need Help! Rear C1 Axle Bearing and Seal

Thanks guys.

I got the bearing replaced using the 607 without the spacer. The axle came out and went back in with very little effort.

All I need now is my carb so I can get back on the road!!

[Jerry C.]

Re: Need Help! Rear C1 Axle Bearing and Seal

What brand is the RW607 bearing? Thanks in advance.

[Tom P.]

Re: Need Help! Rear C1 Axle Bearing and Seal

What brand is the RW607 bearing? Thanks in advance.

It is the same part number for all brands: National, BCA, Timken, SKF, NAPA, etc.
The bearing part number, depending on manufacturer, will have different suffixes, such as RW607NR(National), RW607BR(SKF), etc. Some may have two O-rings, some may have one O-ring, and the O-rings may be the thick or thin versions. It's all dependant on the bearing manufacturer, but they're all interchangeable.
These bearings are no longer cheap. They used to be in the $30-40 range, and then in the $60 range, but now the best price I'm finding on them is sources such as Rock Auto online for around $100. I wouldn't be surprised if they are totally discontinued before much longer. The RW607 series ONLY FITS 58-62 Vette and 58-64 Chevy pass cars---------------THAT'S IT, NOTHING ELSE!
Also, you can always check with Allied Bearing Sales in LA,CA. And if you do contact them, ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS ask for the "Corvette club" discount.
OK, what Corvette club?
It doesn't matter, just pick one!

(the Corvette club discount was arranged ~30yrs ago, courtesy of Roy Braatz)

http://ca.citysquares.com/los-angeles/west-la/contractors-construction-equipment/machine-shops/allied-bearing-sales-inc

[Tom P.]

Re: Need Help! Rear C1 Axle Bearing and Seal

OK, I just called Allied---------------RW607NR------------$40ea!!!!!!!!!
What else you want--------egg in your beer?

[Bob H.]

Re: Need Help! Rear C1 Axle Bearing and Seal

WOW!! Everyone else wants $80 plus for them! That's like buy one, get one free.

[Jake D.]

Re: Need Help! Rear C1 Axle Bearing and Seal

This is why I love this forum--the information here is priceless. I was looking for some rear axle bearings for our '62 Impala 409. Now I know where to get 'em! Thanks a million for all the info--really informative!! You guys are the best!!!

[Tom P.]

Re: Need Help! Rear C1 Axle Bearing and Seal

This is why I love this forum--the information here is priceless. I was looking for some rear axle bearings for our '62 Impala 409. Now I know where to get 'em! Thanks a million for all the info--really informative!! You guys are the best!!!

Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, no, sorry, Corvette Forum is better, sad to say. And it shouldn't be that way!

[Stewart A.]

Re: Need Help! Rear C1 Axle Bearing and Seal

Now a dumb arse question from Down under. Tom how many times can you pull the axle before you replace the bearing ? I plan on doing this a few times a year to swap my diff around. I wasn't sure when the bearing should be changed ? Stewy

[Jake D.]

Re: Need Help! Rear C1 Axle Bearing and Seal

I got a virus from the CF just last week!! I haven't been there since!