Buffalo Dude

Well, it's pretty obvious now that my rear bearings are shot. Lots of burning grease smell, some definite heat coming out, and very loud grinding noises. So I've decided to attempt to tackle part of the problem. Here's what I have:

I'm going to attempt to remove the spindle support with the spindle still in it. It looks like once I disconnect the halfshafts, remove the flange and dustboots, and disconnect the shock absorber, there are four bolts that hold the housing to the trailing arm. Once I remove those, I can pull the housing right out. From there I bring it into Corvette Mike where he will press out the old bearings and set up the new ones to correct specs. Then I just put them back in reverse order and I should be set. Am I missing anything? Any ideas or input would be great.

Big Fish

I don't think it will work out that way. The 4 nuts holding the spindle support are behind the e-brake components and the spindle flange. You are probably much better off removing the t-arms with the spindle and e-brake setup intact and pressing it apart. Of course the best and easiest way would be to have the GM J-22601 spindle press and the reinstall tools J-24490-1 and J-24490-2.

Yeller81USNRet

That is how I did mine. But then again the previous owner had removed the E- Brakes so that was of no concern. You will have to get the E - Brake parts out of the way though. The question is ... is that easier than removing the trailing arm ??? Your Call....
:steering:

mrvette

I was going to suggest just doing away with the ebrake as totally usless for anything, but I see your' in Kalifornia, and most likely have inspections....

that ebrake is a super PIA....so much so that at one point I was thinking of changing calipers for a more modern style that incorporated the ebrake levers into the caliper....but learned quickly that it was no good solution either.....

GENE

noskillz

I don't think you can remove the spindle support with the spindle in it. I don't think the spindle will fit through the trailing arm???

GTR1999

You can remove it from the trailing arm,but as said, you have to remove the parking shoes to get to the nuts. If the unit is rust seized then you're going to have a hard time separting the housing with the arm still in the car. I remove the arms and rebuild them on the bench. I have the tools for the job but have never used the spindle press tool. It looks like it would break the caliper bracket on a rust seized car. It might be ok if the car was a couple of years old,but 30-40 later is another thing.
Of course removing the arms is usually the hardest part of the whole job. I believe Van Steel has the procedure on their web site and they do an excellant job of rebuilding the whole unit if needed. Take your time and look it over before jumping in.
Good luck,
Gary

Buffalo Dude

Success! Separated the housing from the trailing arm and brought the whole thing in to Corvette Mike today. I hope to get it back by Friday and the car up and running by Wednesday of next week. Thanks everyone, and special thanks to Van Steel for excellent instructions on removing the housing. :chevy

MN-Brent

Buffalo

You wouldnt have the instructions the Van Steel sent you handy. I may be doing this job this spring. Its either wheel bearings or U-joints for me. Not sure until I rip it apart a little.

PS: My E-brake hardware has been removed already.

Best Regards, Brent...


[Modified by MN-Brent, 11:45 PM 1/5/2004]

Buffalo Dude

The instructions are on their website. You might have to search a little, it's under instructions or rebuild or something like that. If you're close enough, I would say Van Steel has a good deal on rebuilding them. They're on the opposite side of the country for me, so makes it expensive to ship anything. :cry Good luck!

PS: It's under removal instructions. Also, exploded views from parts catalogs help in understanding what parts are where.

Van Steel

I know shipping to me isn't free but shipping from me to you is. :thumbs:
Glad everything worked out good for you Buffalo Dude. and if anyone needs instructions and they can't find them, you can always give us a call and if we have the instructions you are looking for we could fax them to you if you have a fax.