<VV> EM rear wheel bearing grease fitting install?

[Frank DuVal]

The cast bearings of 63, 64 do not have rivets, so these directions 
don't work. But of course the 63 car in question could have the 60 -62 
bearing in it from a previous repair. The interchange works this way, 
but don't try to put a 63,4 cast bearing into a 60-62 without changing 
the backing plate/spacer also.

On a cast bearing the best I could do was pry out the seal on the inside 
of the bearing and wash/pack grease by hand. No way to inspect, just pray.

Now our club has access to the bearing remover tool available from 
Clark's. It works great, and the bearing can be removed from the axle 
shaft with no damage. Now the cast bearing can be taken apart and 
inspected for defective rollers. You can mix and match parts from many 
bearings to "rebuild" a good one like tim mentions. Also the riveted 
type comes completely apart after removal for the same rebuilding treatment.

Maybe you can get local club members to go in and buy the tool? Of 
course late owners wouldn't pony up...   10 early owners put up $30 each 
for a tool to save hundreds if they save a bearing.

Frank DuVal



On 3/20/2011 12:03 AM, Tony Underwood wrote:
> At 08:39 PM 3/19/2011, Ray Rodriguez III wrote:
>
> Don't do the zerk fitting on an early bearing.   They come apart too
> easily to go to that sorta trouble.   Just remove the wheel, pop the
> drum off, remove 4 9/16 nuts and slide the axle out.   Make sure that
> side of the car is up so you don't drool gear lube out the
> transaxle.   There are two rivets holding the halves of the bearing
> housing together.   Cut them off and discard them, won't need to
> rivet the halves back together again seeing as how the nuts on the
> studs will do that.    Pry the bearing halves apart and flush out the
> bearing thoroughly with a good species of carb cleaner or
> brake-klene, your choice... stuff them with synthetic wheel bearing
> grease, reassemble.
>
> It's also not a bad idea to (if you can) rotate the outer races 180
> degrees and place a fresh load bearing surface where the bearing
> rollers can run against it.
>
>
>
> Once you do the first one, the 2nd will be easier.   '60-'62 bearings
> have stamped housings, '63-'64 bearings have a cast housing with a
> stamped cover.   They come apart the same.
>