70 C10 Wheel Bearings

[StanleyRosiello]

Going to replace my front wheel bearings this weekend and possibly replace all the parts in the drum. Any suggestions on specialty tools for the bearings. And if your feeling generous, maybe explaining the wheel bearing replacement process. Im sure I can tackle it after I take it apart and look at it but some guidance would be cool. Thanks in advance.

[Myoldtruck]

Take pictures of the front brakes and the springs before taking anything apart. Check that the brake shoes are in the right way, I think it was the smaller shoe faces the front. Replace the wheel cylinders and rubber hoses, install speed bleeders in the new cylinders. Use anti seeze on the raised bumps on the backing plates that the shoes ride on. Clean the adjusted wheels and slightly grease their internal shafts so they spin easy. Buy new grease seals. I wire brushed and wire wheeled everything clean.

[StanleyRosiello]

After putting the front end up and then the back end I found out it was my rear wheel bearings that were shot. Never messed with a differential until now. Got the axle shafts out and the bearing and seals out pretty easy and took the brake apart. Left the driver side brake intact for reference and took lots of pictures.

[custom10nut]

Sounds like you have it handled. Wheel bearings are pretty easy, as long as you don't get too over zealous with the big tools.
A small slide hammer with a hook is good for getting the old races out.
Then just clean up the surface, pack you bearing with grease and reassemble.

[C1ph3r]

Originally Posted by StanleyRosiello

After putting the front end up and then the back end I found out it was my rear wheel bearings that were shot. Never messed with a differential until now. Got the axle shafts out and the bearing and seals out pretty easy and took the brake apart. Left the driver side brake intact for reference and took lots of pictures.

Currently going over my entire suspension myself. front end is all new with disk conversion. So I didnt need to figure out if my bearings are bad or not. getting replaced anyway.

I have never done any work on a diff either and very intimidated by the prospect.

Sorry, all that to ask, how did you know the rear wheel bearings were bad?

[custom10nut]

The rears with start seeping at first, then get worse as time goes.
It's easy to check if you have the drums off.
Grab ahold of the hub and try to move it up and down.
If you have a spare rim, mount it and then check for movement.
The rim will give you more leverage.
If there's any movement at all, it's time to replace them.

[C1ph3r]

Originally Posted by custom10nut

The rears with start seeping at first, then get worse as time goes.
It's easy to check if you have the drums off.
Grab ahold of the hub and try to move it up and down.
If you have a spare rim, mount it and then check for movement.
The rim will give you more leverage.
If there's any movement at all, it's time to replace them.

ok so pretty much the same as it would be on the front ones. I knew that check on front wheel drive cars but wasnt sure if it was the same on a straight axle.

all the rear suspension is coming out later this month or next for bags and over hall. might as well bite the bullet and learn how to pull axles while i am in there.

Thanks.

[70STOVEBOLT]

You have to remove the drums, then the diff cover and then the c-clips and the axles will slide out. The hearings are cylindrical roller bearings. The seal has to be removed to gain access to the bearings. They have to be pulled out and then the new ones driven in and then drive in the seals. I used a large socket that was just a little smaller than the bearing and seal OD as an installation tool.

[StanleyRosiello]

Got them all done. Bearings and brakes. Redid the whole inside of the drums. Springs and everything. It was pretty fun. I made the mistake of spinning one side too much and my spider gears fell out so I learned how to put those back in and adjust them. All in all a really fun experience learning how to do the rear end.

[70STOVEBOLT]

Congrats. Feels good to complete a project like that.