<VV> LM Wheel Bearings

[henry kaczmarek]

Genius is defined by me as below:
>
> A person who, in order to avoid expense and frustration, DOES THINGS RIGHT 
> THE FIRST TIME.  I have seen this definition in many a restoration shop. 
> This doesn't mean you can't rehab and or restore a used part good as new. 
> That's what we have to do with many parts on a Vair.
>
> I paid to have the Ultra Monza's rear wheel bearing units disassembled, 
> inspected, cleaned and greased.   Tony Ellison in SC had all the proper 
> factory tools to do the job correctly, and was quite reasonable.  I won't 
> be doing another LM, but if I was going to, I'd do the same again. in 4 
> years my car will be 50 years old.  No guesswork for me.
>
> I've read about the zirc fitting trick, I believe first in HTKYCA.  But 
> being in the auto parts business, I know that parts that take grease 
> lubrication, like Tie Rod Ends and Ball Joints (Not the OEM ones), when 
> you grease them, the new grease pushes out the old grease, and you can 
> wipe it away.  This scenario does not compute with just pumping in grease 
> via a drilled and tapped zirc fitting.
>
> When the lower ball joints on my 05 F150 took a dump, the Ford OEM 
> replacements did not have zirc fittings. Probably why mine failed after 6 
> years of normal wear (130K miles).  I replaced them with made in USA Moog 
> joints that ARE greaseable.   OEM does not always mean better.
>
> Do it right, and you don't have to worry about them, or wonder if they 
> need to be replaced, or if they have any grease on them.  Many of us over 
> our years of driving have had a bearing go out on us, and not necessarily 
> on a Corvair.  It's NOT a nice experience.
>
> Drive where you want knowing it was done right.  Just makes sense to me. 
> I'll bet if Harry has LM's he does his own!
>
> Hank
>