88 wheel bearings

Mach10 · Post by **Mach10** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 12:28 pm

I know this was an issue a few years ago... But has anyone ever found a replacement or a cache of NOS bearings? :scratch:

'cos if I could fine 4 of 'em, I'd be all over that shit.

AkursedX · Post by **AkursedX** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 12:31 pm

http://www.rodneydickman.com

In the "exterior" section. $184 plus shipping.

Mach10 · Post by **Mach10** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 12:35 pm

Are the rear-bearings still available, then?

AkursedX · Post by **AkursedX** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 12:44 pm

Rear's are the same as the 84-87's and AFIK they are still available. check the Fierostore, or autozone, I think they were a commonly used wheel bearing.

AkursedX · Post by **AkursedX** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 12:48 pm

Yep, Fierostore has 'em for $90, but I think autozone has 'em for 70-75..

Mach10 · Post by **Mach10** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 12:49 pm

I see... I thought the 88s were all different.

$425 for bearings... *shudder*

Guess we'll see in November then, won't we. :thumbleft:

Fierocious · Post by **Fierocious** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 3:05 pm

how would you know if they are bad? lots of road noise? I've only recently heard that they are prone to going bad

Kohburn · Post by **Kohburn** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 3:11 pm

slop - rear brake noise when turning one way -

Mach10 · Post by **Mach10** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 4:07 pm

I've had to replace wheel bearings on EVERY used car that I've ever owned...

Constant-wear item, although they are usually good for at least 100,000....

Still, nice to know I can get ahold of some. It's the only real thing holding me back from buying an 88. But I kinda want the suspension.

Kohburn · Post by **Kohburn** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 5:16 pm

Mach10 wrote:I've had to replace wheel bearings on EVERY used car that I've ever owned...

Constant-wear item, although they are usually good for at least 100,000....

Still, nice to know I can get ahold of some. It's the only real thing holding me back from buying an 88. But I kinda want the suspension.

its the front wheel bearings i thought people complained about on the 88

The Dark Side of Will · Wed Jun 14, 2006 5:32 pm

I don't think it would be too hard to come up with an alternate knuckle design that would use a more common bearing.

Series8217 · Post by **Series8217** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 5:49 pm

The aftermarket 88 front bearings are complete crap.

Theres a set of 88 front bearings on a coupe at the U-Pick-U-Save in Wilmington, CA if anyone needs a set of factory ones.

You can machine the front 88 knuckle to take a rear Fiero bearing, just stick a bolt through the hub/bearing in place of the axle so it doesnt fall apart.
We're looking into some alternatives at WCF, I'll let you guys know if we come up with anything else.

Kohburn · Post by **Kohburn** » Thu Jun 15, 2006 7:50 am

Series8217 wrote:The aftermarket 88 front bearings are complete crap.

Theres a set of 88 front bearings on a coupe at the U-Pick-U-Save in Wilmington, CA if anyone needs a set of factory ones.

You can machine the front 88 knuckle to take a rear Fiero bearing, just stick a bolt through the hub/bearing in place of the axle so it doesnt fall apart.
We're looking into some alternatives at WCF, I'll let you guys know if we come up with anything else.

the solstice sky hubs wouldn't happen to use the same axle spline would they? those bearings don't need a bolt through em

only downfall would be the new bolt circle

Series8217 · Post by **Series8217** » Thu Jun 15, 2006 1:31 pm

Kohburn wrote:the solstice sky hubs wouldn't happen to use the same axle spline would they? those bearings don't need a bolt through em

only downfall would be the new bolt circle

The bolt pattern can be redrilled quite easily. However, the centerbore is also much larger, so you wouldn't be able to fit your stock brakes or wheels. That's the biggest problem..

The Dark Side of Will · Thu Jun 15, 2006 3:13 pm

Because GM has no cross-platform standardization for parts smaller than powertrains.

Mach10 · Post by **Mach10** » Thu Jun 15, 2006 3:39 pm

What about hacking up a set of axle shafts to occupy the space? Dunno where I'd even start in looking for a bolt with the right thread, splines, and metallurgical properties.... :scratch:

The Dark Side of Will · Thu Jun 15, 2006 3:48 pm

Held does that... Just seems like an uninspired bandaid to me, especially when they're making their stuff from scratch and could use whatever bearing they wanted, provided they weren't too lazy to do the research.

Mach10 · Post by **Mach10** » Thu Jun 15, 2006 4:03 pm

Given the option of a $15 set of junkyard axles and $110/ea wheel bearings, a hacksaw, and an hour's worth of machine time...

Compared to $400 (us, + shipping) for a set of supposedly useless aftermarket bearings...

And given that I'm not too shit-hot on the idea of spending $500 each on a custom knuckle to use $30 bearings....

Seems to me that as long as the bandaid is a) safe, b) reliable, and c) attainable... I try not to be a cheapass mofo, but I AM a cynic and enough of a pragmatist to accept a workable and viable solution.

Regardless of how boring and uninspiring it might be.