My car has been making a clonking sound over rough surfaces. I initially thought it was the rear left shock but this is OK.
After jacking the left rear if I grab the wheel top and bottom and pull/push it moves and makes the clonking sound. The axle is definately moving. It may also explain worse handling when making a right turn.
I guess I need a wheel bearing kit that includes seal and retaining ring. Can someone please advise where to buy from please.

Thanks

Simon

88 350 roc

 

Simon,

You could try Vandevere Oldsmobile Parts Store, they should have what you need at a fair price.

 

don't know if you have them, but here there's a chain of stores bearings inc., or use to be changed their name and i forget what they call it now which is sad because i was there last week buying sprockets and chain. anyway they have or can get anything for you. not a parts store, if you ask for a bearing for a car they can't help, but if you have a pn, or the od/id they'll fix you up.

just thought of it, BDI, or bearing distributors inc.

 

Miles cool mister should have bearings......
autobarn only has the seal for 1 side, I forget which.

oh, while the axles are out, yank that carrier and throw some shims in there

Larry

 

Thanks guys,

I have been giving this problem some thought and I remember when my alternator bearings failed I got some from a local bearing agent. He may be able to help me again.

Are the bearings in the 9 bolt fairly standard? If anyone knows the bearing size, part number it would be of great help. I think because the axle is Australian the bearings will be metric which will be easier for me in the UK to get hold of. The bearings were manufactured by some Aussie company also.

I pulled the axle out and the bearing shows some signs of wear. It looks a right PITA removing the existing bearing and fitting a new one but I'll give it a go. I'm most worried about removing the bearing retainer 'sleve' as I may have difficulty finding another. Also I'll have to reuse the seals which I hope wont leak. There doesnt seem to be much oil in the axle tubes so I maybe OK.

Merry xmas

Simon

 

most bearing resellers can supply bearings for the 9 bolt rear end just give them the part numbers (written on the bearing )
to remove the bearings you have to open up that retainer with a cold chisel (have fun as it does take some effort to do !!!!!!!
then you have to press the old bearing off

 

The axle bearings are a standard set 9. You can use the straight or the tapered (I use tappered Timken set 9's). Any bearing house or auto store should have them. I don't offer them as they can be purchased most anywhere.

Miles
Diff Solutions
www.9bolt.com

 

Thanks guys, I got some bearings in the UK and fitted them today they are Timken part no U298-90011.
No problems fitting them at all. Axles pulled out with a slight tap with a hammer. Retainer and old bearing knocked off with hammer and blunted cold chisel. New bearing and retainer hammered on using old inner bearing shell to avoid damage.

I still got a problem though and have started a new thread but you may be able to help. When I hit a bad road surface I am still getting a 'clonk' from the left rear, its not as bad though and the handling is also improved. I have jacked up the car and if I pull the wheel in and out it makes the same sound. It seems that there is still too much end play. I dont understand how endplay is adjusted. With a tapered bearing such as a front wheel bearing you tighten a center bolt to take up the play and put a split pin through. But obviously this doesnt work with the rear wheel bearings.
The only thing you tighten are the 4 bolts on the end plate. Does this squash the oil seal that then holds the bearing tight? I didn't change the oil seals. Although they dont leak oil maybe they are not holding the bearing in tight. What do you think? I'm thinking of putting a spacer inbetween the oil seal and the end plate so when I tighten those 4 bolts it tightens the bearing more. Will this tighten the bearing?

Just looked in the service manual and end play is 0.04 mm ie nothing. I'm sure I got more than this

Cheers

Simon

 

I just tried something else and I think I have fixed the problem.

Just needed to put the handbrake on a few times...

Am i correct in thinking that the pistons in the rear callipers are self adjusting to take up pad wear but adjustment only happens when you pull the handbrake? I only use my hand brake once a year during the vehicle test (MOT). Being an auto I just put it in park.
I pulled the brake on a few times real tight and pumped the foot brake. After taking brake off I tried pulling/pushing the wheel and it isnt making any noise now. Do you think I have fixed it?

Thanks

Simon

 

Simon,

By any chance do you have a part number for that Australian 9 bolt axle? Thanks!

 

I've been a complete fool forget all the rubbish I have said before the problem was a loose LCA bolt. Well it wasn't exactly loose but required tightening to the limits of my ability and equipment so that when I hit the LCA with the palm of my hand I did not hear a clonk.
Sorry for wasteing your time, its just even with new bearings there still seemed quite a lot of end play but due to the bearing design it is impossible to to remove all end play.
I dont regret fitting the new bearings as it has improved handling somewhat.

Parrydise7,
You want the GM part number for a Borg Warner 9 bolt axle? I'm sorry I have no idea what it is. Maybe you could contact a Chevy dealership or Miles at www.9bolt.com
Whats up? Are you looking to buy or identify an axle?

Thanks

Simon

 

Simon,

Yes, I was hoping to get a p/n that I could use as confirmation. Since GM got those axles from Australia I'm not even sure there is a GM p/n on it. Thanks for responding.