65 Monza Rear wheel bearings????

[firefightersth]

What is the easiest and best way to go about greasing the rear wheel bearings on a 65 Monza 110???

[azdave]

There is no easy way. To be done correctly (and last another 100K) they should be taken apart and rebuilt by someone who has the correct tools and a good press. Not an easy task for an occasional mechanic like many of us here.

Some people have drilled and installed Zerk fittings in the hub (per an old tech topic from CORSA magazine 20 years ago) but this usually results in a failure when they get over-greased and the hub is completely filled with excess grease. Then when things get warm the grease seeps out past the seals and fouls the brake shoes. The sedan I just bought had this issue and it ruined a nice set of Kevlar shoes.

If your bearing are squeaking they are past the point where they only need grease. Some damage has already occurred. If they aren't squeaking yet you can either let it ride and hope for the best or get them re-greased correctly.

You have probably seen this thread already? Same question basically with recommendations of two places to get hub work done.
viewtopic.php?f=55&t=4679

[bbodie52]

NOTE: Most of this is a repeat of material I provided to another Corvair Forum member who had a similar question. It is repeated here for your info...

If your diagnosis is correct, I'm guessing that the roller bearings are starting to become dry and inadequately lubricated. As the bearings get warm during driving, they sometimes quiet down a bit. Whatever grease there is probably gets distributed a little as the grease warms too. Heat may also affect bearing clearances a little, which may stop the squeaking, or chirping sound. But if the bearing is failing, it will only get progressively worse.

I strongly suggest you order a complete rebuilt bearing assembly from Clark's Corvair Parts (see the URL below, under the Clark's section). These bearing assemblies are relatively easy to remove from the car, but very difficult to dismantle, overhaul, and reassemble/set up properly. I have had two fail in past years (one in West Germany, during the cold, snowy winter in 1982, while I was stationed with the USAF there) and one in Cheyenne Wyoming (different Corvair) in 1981 while I was traveling from California to New Jersey with my wife and children. As you can imagine, neither was a convenient breakdown. These bearing assemblies are sealed and if your Corvair has never had them rebuilt, they are packed with grease that dates back more than 40 years!

NOTE: Clark's Corvair Parts recommendation is to have these 1965-69 rear bearing assemblies repacked every 5-8 years (50,000-75,000 miles)

The cost from Clark's Corvair Parts is as follows:

NOTICE: Price includes core value: $99.00. You will be issued a refund of $99.00 when you return the used part.

Weight: 19 lbs 0 oz
Catalog Pages(s): 166
Price: $ 263.30 plus shipping (less $99.00 core refund)

Also, consider that if one is failing, the other may also be fairly dry and on its way out. You may want to consider replacing both with rebuilt units. (My wife and I are planning a cross-country, coast to coast trip next summer in our 1966 Corsa convertible. I have no record of these bearings ever being replaced, so I intend to have them both replaced with overhauled units prior to our trip, to eliminate a known failure point in our 46 year-old Corvair. Better than risking a failure during our long trip. Also cheaper than probable motel costs and meals while we would be stranded, waiting for delivery of a replacement!)

Removal of the wheel bearing assembly involves wheel removal, disconnecting the rear axle (half-shaft), removing the brake drum and brake components, disconnecting the parking brake cable, and finally removing four nuts that secure the assembly and brake backing plate to the suspension. Then the whole assembly, with the brake backing plate, is boxed up and shipped to Clark's for a professional rebuild. If you don't want your Corvair sitting on jack stands for a few weeks, you can order the parts in advance and then get your core refund later when you return the faulty unit(s).

If you don't have a factory shop manual, you can download a 1965 Chassis Shop Manual in Adobe Reader format using the link below. If you cannot do your own mechanical work, you should probably order the rebuilt assemblies and then take the car and new parts to a mechanic to have the work done. Don't forget to examine/repack/rebuild/replace (as needed) the universal joints in the half-shaft(s) while everything is apart.

Here are some good Internet sources, and some additional links for Corvair-related information:

Downloadable Corvair Shop Manuals, Parts Manuals, Service Manuals, etc.
http://1969corvair.com/techpages/Corvai ... Index.html

Early Model Corvair Shop Manual & Other Useful Manuals
http://www.corvair.org/chapters/corvanatics/manuals.php

CORSA (Corvair Society of America) Chapter Locator
Locating a local CORSA chapter near you can be very helpful, and attending meetings, parties, Corvair shows, etc. can greatly add to the enjoyment of your Corvair hobby.
https://www.corvair.org/index.php?optio ... crmSID=3_u

Clark's Corvair Parts
http://www.corvair.com/user-cgi/pages.cgi
The following URL will take you directly to the Clark's Corvair online catalog page for the parts you need
http://www.corvair.com/user-cgi/catalog ... N&page=166

California Corvairs
http://www.californiacorvairparts.com/p ... roduct=264

Corvair Ranch (Used Parts, Machine Shop, etc.)
http://www.corvairranch.com/

Corvair Corsa (Good technical and historical information.)
Corvair Corsa is a plentiful source of Corvair history, information and pictures. Here, you can explore the entire collection of production Corvairs including the Corsa, Monza, Monza Spyder, Corvair 700, 500, and the Corvair 95 truck series.
http://www.corvaircorsa.com

This Web site seems to have the most comprehensive and well-researched data for fitting various tires and wheels to EM (Early Model, 1960-64) and LM (Late Model, 1965-69) Corvairs:
Sizing Corvair Wheels and Tires: http://autoxer.skiblack.com/tires.html

Again, welcome to the Forum. I hope thie information I have provided helps you. Just let us know if you need anything else.


DON'T FORGET TO TAKE A FEW MOMENTS TO VOTE IN THE CORVAIR FORUM CORVAIR OF THE YEAR 2012 COMPETITION. Late Model (LM) Corvairs could use some support! Your consideration is appreciated.
viewtopic.php?f=189&t=4432

[firefightersth]

My 65 does not have grease fitting into the hub (thankfully) also it isn't squeaking or making any other noises. Just figured it should prob be done tho.

[bbodie52]

Since Clark's recommends periodically servicing these bearing assemblies and yours are not causing problems, but may be overdue for servicing, you might benefit from calling Clark's and discussing your options with someone there who has a lot of experience with these things. Then you can make some informed decisions.

My wheel bearings are also squeak-free and I have no record of them every being overhauled in their earlier life. However, i am planning a cross-country trip next summer, so I would feel more comfortable having them overhauled.

Preventive Maintenance can pay big dividends!

[jennirw]

Since I follow the rule "Don't fix it if it ain't broke" I have, on one occasion, been sorry for that. Back in the early 1970's I purchased a 61 700 sedan for $73 that had seen better days and drove it daily 15 miles one-way to work and back. At one point one of the rear axle bearings begen making noises. Even though I had another corvair waiting for its powertrain I continued to drive it, even when it became obvious that the axle bearing was failing. I drove it one day too many, on my way home from work one night I lost the axle on the entrance ramp to the expressway and had to pay for a tow.

That is the only axle bearing that has ever gone bad on me even with driving as many miles as I have with Corvairs, never once have replace or rebuilt an axle bearing.

I believe they will give me plenty of warning before coming apart and would consider bringing a spare axle on long trips of over 500 miles one way but would leave the orig in the car until it started to fail.

You may not have my level of bravery so I am not advocating that you do this, but I have seen so many items fail that have replaced a perfectly good part that I would rather take my chances.
I drive my 1960 Corvair daily, (I put over 12,000 miles on it this year) and I believe the powertrain, suspension, linkages and axles are orig.

[ClarkHartzel]

Even if you have a Hydraulic press you need special puller plates to get support on the hub. Once I tried to just lay the brake backing plate on my press and I ended up bending the backing plate into a U shape without ever moving the bearings!
Best to let someone with the right equipment do the job.
Clark Hartzel