<VV> The " Fix it on the road" list of tricks

[jvhroberts at aol.com]

 1. It's big.
2. It's a large chunk of dead weight. 
3. An axle with a new bearing is better used in the installed position. 
4. It's a piece you don't have to carry as inventory. 
5. An axle with a new bearing installed will last a VERY long time, and becomes something you don't worry about. 
6. If you are worried about it, replace the rear wheel bearings every 10 years/50,000 miles, and again, becomes something you'll NEVER have to worry about!

I have driven my Corvair 1600 miles in one trip. All I carried were basic tools, a fanbelt, and I kept my total spares to under 15 pounds, and only then these were things I either couldn't get at FLAPS, or things I knew weren't reliable. Like rocker arms and pushrods, since I couldn't afford the fancy roller versions.  After all, I was a broke kid back then! But wheel bearings? If I had new ones, I installed them! That way, I could replace them at my convenience, not the wheel bearings' convenience!

 

John Roberts
 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Frank DuVal <corvairduval at cox.net>
To: virtualvairs <virtualvairs at corvair.org>
Sent: Sun, Jan 8, 2012 12:32 pm
Subject: Re: <VV> The " Fix it on the road" list of tricks


John, what is so difficult about carrying an early axle? I have seen 
lots of cars driven to our Vair Fair with a spare axle in the car. It 
does not take up much room in the trunk. And it sure is easier to 
replace an axle on the side of the road than a bearing! Unless you also 
carry the Blue Chip Machine bearing tool that is a large as carrying 
another axle.

Each individual needs to determine what spares they need for the 
condition of their car. And if you are within flat bed AAA service of 
your home, just a cell phone and AAA card will get you to your best 
mechanic (yourself).

The customers I have had over the years with breakdowns on the road 
usually fail with simple parts. Most simple parts are (were) available 
at the FLAPS. Flat tires and points closing up top the old list. Spark 
plugs blowing out of the head are unusual, but happened. But, we had 
quite a few travelers with early bearings that needed to be replaced 
along I-95. So, If you are out of towing range, carry a fuel pump 
(mechanical people only), axle (early only), points-condenser -rotor, 
fan belt and spare tire (with jack and lug wrench that fits all nuts). 
No one needs to carry a transmission, engine, or suspension parts. Those 
should be known condition parts after inspection.

Yes, maintenance is the key, but forewarned is forearmed. Arm the car 
with common spares and tools. Common sense. Now, if you are not 
mechanically able, just carry the spares for the mechanic to use. Saves 
shipping time.

I never carried an axle, as I didn't travel across the US and I repacked 
my early bearings regularly. On a long trip I would still carry one.

Frank DuVal



On 1/8/2012 8:06 AM, jvhroberts at aol.com wrote:
>   Small stuff like that, yep. An axle? No way. Not that I'd have an EM anyhow, 
but this is one of those things where a new set of bearings packed with 
synthetic grease makes the whole thing a non issue. As the car gets older and 
less well maintained, the list of what is LIKELY to go wrong grows.
> However, with 50 year old cars, the idea is to make sure maintenance is 
rigorous enough that things get better, not worse.
>
>
> John Roberts
>
>
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