#1  
Old 03-17-2020, 11:19 AM
pfilean's Avatar
pfilean pfilean is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: West Des Moines, IA
Posts: 1,932
Default Front Wheel Bearings

Just finished my annual "whether it need it or not" oil change. Got to wondering when I last packed the front wheel bearings. My manual says to only pack when you have to take the wheel off for something like new brakes lining. I kind of remember doing things like that way back when. But I was surprised to see the manual did not recommend some specific mileage guideline.

Now, my 61 no longer has the ball bearings, as they were changed to roller when the disc brakes were added. And I suspect that rollers can go longer than ball between packing. Would someone with a 62 or later take a look in the manual and see what the recommendation is for roller bearings. Save me from a job I don't want to do. I'm getting too old for this stuff.

  #2  
Old 03-17-2020, 12:06 PM
mgarblik mgarblik is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 6,035
Default

Cleaning and packing tapered wheel bearings is pretty easy as you know. But if you just want to do a little check, pop the dust cap off and look at the grease. If it looks dry or chunky, you need to remove,clean and pack. If it still has a thin paste look, wipe a sample out and push between your thumb and index finger. It should feel smooth with no sign of grittiness. If you feel any grit or abrasion at all in the grease, remove,clean, repack. Finally, check the lateral play by grabbing the wheel/tire and flexing the assembly. You should feel a small amount of clearance in the bearings. About 1/8" is normal cold. Factory service manual recommendations are not the best for the way 90% of our cars are driven as collector cars. We generally put much lower mileage on our cars than the manual would recommend for cleaning and replacement, along with the better lubricants that have been developed over the past 50 years. I can look up the exact factory specs. and post if you would like tomorrow.

  #3  
Old 03-18-2020, 04:07 PM
pfilean's Avatar
pfilean pfilean is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: West Des Moines, IA
Posts: 1,932
Default

May have my answer from a Corvette site. As the change to disc brakes used a change to C3 spindles and bearings and the Corvette C3 site says pack every 30,000 miles that should be the answer. Well, I haven't driven the car close to 30,000 and as I know I repacked at least when I remounted the front brakes I should be good. So I guess I'll get it off the jack stands and take a nap.

Can't even socially distance with a little solo cruise as it's been raining.

Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:53 PM.

 

About Us

The PY Online Forums is the largest online gathering of Pontiac enthusiasts anywhere in the world. Founded in 1991, it was also the first online forum for people to gather and talk about their Pontiacs. Since then, it has become the mecca of Pontiac technical data and knowledge that no other place can surpass.

 




Copyright © 2017