Early wheel bearings

[kent olsen]

I'm replacing my steel trailing arms in my 72 with 74 aluminum arms. The hub in the newer arms is worn so I'm hoping the hub from my 72 will fit. I know the wheel bearing is slightly wider. Anyone know if it will?

Also I've heard of some other possible issues. The shock mount, and possibly the camber and toe adjuster nuts that might be an issue. Help anyone???

[Zeke]

I think you will find that removing the rear bearing w/o damaging it somewhat will be a challenge. However, it's been done. Just understand exactly what you are doing or you will be back in there in a rather short time frame.

The adjuster bolts are longer on the AL arms.

Shocks should be OK.

[kent olsen]

Milt

Where do you find replacement adjuster bolts?

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by kent olsen

Milt

Where do you find replacement adjuster bolts?

off AL arms??

Seriously, Pelican, Parts Haven, the classifieds; all come to mind.

[kent olsen]

Well it appears that some time in the past when I first had a wheel bearing go bad that the shop replace the trailing arm (banana) with a used unit. I guess that has been my problem all along. I have since replaced 5 wheel bearings in 10 years.

This time I'm doing it myself and when I realize the problem I go out and purchase a set of 74 Aluminum trailing arms. That should fix the problem and lose a little weight. Turns out it's only 2lbs less than the steel arms but thats 4lbs on the rear of the car.

I have the new bearing in the arm and I'm waiting for a new (used) hub to come in the mail before reinstalling the arm and getting the old girl down off the jack stands.

Once that's done I'm still swaying back and forth about rebuilding the 2.7 or finding a 3.0 to rebuild up to 220-230HP. I'm building a ramp into my little barn now to close to my shop for the engine work.

[RWebb]

should be quite a bit more than 2 lbs. difference in wt.

[kent olsen]

That's what I thought Randy

With nothing on the arm but the new wheel bearing that was the difference.