C3 Corvette, Troubleshooting U-joints & rear wheel bearings,1975 Corvette,, Volume 22, Part 1

On a recent enjoyable cruise I heard loud clicking sounds from the rearend area of my 75 Corvette. Having already serviced the rearend, I start troubleshooting the rear drive components to isolate and repair the source of the problem. Starting with checking the half shaft U Joints and rear wheel bearings..
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[@johnnyfair]

I consider myself a pretty decent wrench, but it’s still nice to see something before you actually do it. I appreciate you posting these videos seriously.

[@Volfandt]

Hey 762mm51, would that be 7.62, LOL. I'm glad you find something helpful, thanks for watching.

[@davejalenderki]

Awesome video. Thanks for taking the time to share it. I really like the way that you approachand explain the process. It's a good thing we aren't neighbors, between your vett and my vette, my wife probably would seldom see me due to us helping on each others cars and such the way country folks do.

[@Volfandt]

Thanks GD, glad you found it helpful. These Vettes almost demand as much attention as our Mrs's do , LOL. Have a good 'un.

[@davejalenderki]

@@Volfandt And that is why they refer to a mans hot rod as a mistress. You take care amigo and i hope your weather is better than what we are having in Texas.

[@habibsadrmajles3215]

Same me I am trying to work on cosmetic but always there is something but I love my

[@gvxclassics]

Dave, I just about rolled off the chair laughing when you spoke of the peculiarities of the corvette. I wondered why you went with the vette, and now I understand. Stick with it! I have a few customer vettes I work on and agree. If the car weighed 2000 pounds it would be different, but a plastic car at 3300 is just crazy.

[@Volfandt]

Hey Lee. I often wonder why I went with a Vette too, LOL. You know, after looking at these modern vehicles and the way their front wheel bearings are now non-greaseable throw away hubs that often require special tools to R&R, I'm not as perturbed at how these C2 & C3 Vettes rear wheel bearings are designed. But I do wish they put another inch of head clearance in the tops and I do wish the danged thing wasn't so much fun to drive, LOL.

[@DesertRatFabrication]

Hey Dave, i think it's a good idea to bolt the end of the shaft on before press out the U-joint, you got yourself a press, nice, looking real forward to the next one, take it easy buddy

[@Volfandt]

Yesser, I'm really digging that new to me press, LOL. Thanks Mike.

[@davidryan573]

Always finding surprises, is that parking brake stuff available? I guess eBay, I know the feeling You want to spend your lunch money on something you plan, then a need comes up, thanks have a good day.

[@Volfandt]

Hey David, yeah all the parking brake parts are available . With that said, since they are for a Vette they are mighty proud of them....Perhaps one day I'll address this poor ole Vettes appearance but it's bound and determined to keep showing me how many wear & tear parts are worn, LOL.

[@markricher7362]

Looks like someone took some shortcuts with the parking brake, by not installing them. That's what the hole in the hub is for, with the proper tools, installing the parking brakes is easy.

[@garyjones2582]

Dave it's always good to see another one of your videos.. I was wondering about the condition of your shocks on the vette.. I noticed when u were pulling out of the shop and hit the driveway, there was a lot of movement, so it's good to see you replace those shocks.. I'm sure you'll see a big improvement on the ride quality.. Dave thx again for taking us along.. Take care and God Bless...

[@Volfandt]

Hey Gary. I lucked out having a set of exact fit practically new shocks in my stash. The crazy thing is I went through and cleaned out a bunch of stuff I hadn't used in over 10 yrs and I almost put those shocks in the to-go pile. Something wouldn't let me chuck 'em, LOL.

[@garyjones2582]

Looking forward to the 2nd episode...

[@crawford323]

Where did you get the hint dealing with the thin u-joint flange by reinstalling the u-joint clamps? Hint like this can save a heartache. Is an instruction manual available?

[@Volfandt]

IIRC I got it from a youtube video, LOL.. Definitely a heartache saver..

[@crawford323]

Do you recommend marking the u joint to match the rotation before removal with the short drive shafts? I hear a lot of voices saying it's better to do so. I never bothered or actually forgot then it was too late. I figured I had a 50/50 chance of getting it right anyway. But as you said earlier, Corvettes are a different breed. I didn't know if they were finicky and prone to vibration.

[@Volfandt]

Hey Rowdy, It's never a bad thing to mark a driveshaft/U joint so it can be reinstalled just like it came off. Like you said , you've got a 50/50 chance that it'll be OK if you don't and in the case of these half shafts I didn't think it would be a problem and it ended up working fine. What is important is when you're dealing with a double driveshaft that you clock the U joints correctly or you'll definitely have vibration problems. Thanks for watching.

[@terrylscobee5257]

Does it matter which end goes to the hub and drive shaft

[@Volfandt]

Hey Terry. No it doesn't matter as both ends use the same U Joint and they are clocked the same. Good luck