Hey everybody, I believe that I need to replace the rear wheel bearings on my 1972 Buick Riviera. Is this a complicated job? Any advice on taking this job on? What would be a good replacement? I am looking at Rockauto but there are a lot of options.
Pull it apart and inspect the bearing surfaces. If you don't see anything bad. If you don't see anything bad the repack the bearings with something good. Snug it up good and give it a good spin. then back off slightly to the next hole that the pin will go through. It's a pretty good time to adjust the rear brakes assuming the surfaces looked OK . That's a big something to look at.
The rear brakes need some attention. I am replacing everything on them. Thanks for the advice although I am not really sure what you mean. I guess it will make more sense when I am in there. I will take a further look and perhaps record a video.
I've had rear wheel bearings go bad on older GM vehicles and usually it is just one side. You will notice a definate low pitched grinding noise and they may give you a bit of vibration or rumble in the seat of your pants (back wheels). If your rear wheels both exhibit a slight amount of play and no noise I would second what Larry says and not replace. When they do fail it is usually a gradually worsening condition and you will have plenty of time to get to a place where you can work on the car.
If theres a lateral play of 0.5 to 1.0mm, someone before you installed the wrong rear seals. Are they leaking at all? They not only seal the bearings but control the thrust. ws
FYI rear bearings are pressed onto the axles on our big cars. So if you do want to change them, you need to have access to a press to install the bearing and retaining ring.
Thanks for the information about the seal Bill. The play is way more than that though. I will take a video. I've not really noticed any grinding or rumbling though.
Thanks also for that information. I don't have a press unfortunately, so might be a job for the workshop, if it turns out to be that.
His question is about the rear axle bearings. About the maximum play, this is what the Chassis Service Manual says:
I'm wondering if this information is for all axle types. The smaller cars use a C-clip in the differential to lock the axle shaft. The C-clip always has some play in the groove for the clip Your 12 bolt Riviera axle shafts are locked by 4 bolts at each end of the axle.
If I did have to replace, do you have advice on brand. Here are the options on RockAuto: https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog...,1021464,brake+&+wheel+hub,wheel+bearing,1672
I like Timken, but I don't think it makes that much difference, it's probably made in China regardless of make.
Thanks Larry. In my small amount of experience doing this, I am quite surprised that nobody has started a company that makes good aftermarket parts. A single brand for aftermarket parts where you know they are made well, using good materials and priced accordingly. I would imagine there are plenty of people out there would would probably pay double to know that the part is going to be really good and last. Most of the cost/faff is in the labour not the part. It's like painting a rental property with really rubbish paint and having to pay somebody to repaint it every year.
