C3 Rear spindles

[350bowtie350]

Hey, you guys have a great site. I was looking for a tech post about shimming the rear spindles for C3 vettes. I was wondering if you could help me out. Last year I rebuilt my rear suspension in my high school auto shop, and replaced the races and bearings for the rear spindles. I shimmed it, and at the time they felt like the right tolerances. Then, earlier this month when I pulled her out again, I found that the spindles were lose. I ordered a shim kit, new spindles nuts and everything, and spent a few hours trying to get the spindles set right. I am kind of worried that my measurements may be wrong because of the offset of the grease I packed in the new bearings, and that as the grease works its way through the bearings the play will change. I was hoping you could tell me if I need to measure tolerances with no grease of something like that. I’m planning on getting into shop to check the play later this week, so any help would be greatly appreciated. THANKS!!!!

[MKOTZE]

Originally posted by 350bowtie350
Hey, you guys have a great site. I was looking for a tech post about shimming the rear spindles for C3 vettes. I was wondering if you could help me out. Last year I rebuilt my rear suspension in my high school auto shop, and replaced the races and bearings for the rear spindles. I shimmed it, and at the time they felt like the right tolerances. Then, earlier this month when I pulled her out again, I found that the spindles were lose. I ordered a shim kit, new spindles nuts and everything, and spent a few hours trying to get the spindles set right. I am kind of worried that my measurements may be wrong because of the offset of the grease I packed in the new bearings, and that as the grease works its way through the bearings the play will change. I was hoping you could tell me if I need to measure tolerances with no grease of something like that. I’m planning on getting into shop to check the play later this week, so any help would be greatly appreciated. THANKS!!!! Hello 350bowtie350 and Welcome to the forum, The factory specs for the end play of the spindle is .001"-.008". You need to measure the end play with a dial indicator. However, the spec measurement is without grease. As long as you do not have more than .008" of play you would not have to redo it. Good luck. I hope this helps.:chevy: MKOTZE