67 Pontiac GTO - project car

[engatwork]

Rebuilding front end on this vehicle and will be posting updates over a period of time. Started out with front wheel bearing question what is the procedure for setting the front wheel bearings on these cars? They have a different type locking nut versus what I'm used to.

More to come.

[Txjake]

I may have a clymer manual for that. Ill look

[Air&Road]

Assuming they are fresh packed, cinch the nut down hard, probably about 25 ft. Lbs. to squeeze out the grease then back it off enough to get in the key.

[MS Fowler]

Quoting from my 1964-71 Chilton Manual,

A common method of adjustment is to tighten to zero clearance and back off to first cotter pin castellation. Some manufacturers recommend tightening to approximately 10 to 12 ft. lbs then backing off one flat or one-sixth turn. If the cotter pin holes do not line up, loosen slightly.

[catmandoo62]

yep that will do it.tight then back off.but if i get to the first hole and i can't get a little play in the wheel i will go to the next hole.you do not want to run a roller bearing too tight.

[engatwork]

thanks

[Zulfiqar]

like larry said - tighten it to about 15 or 20 lb/ft then back off. I usually would nip it up by hand and then try to jam the cotter pin in a hole, back off to nearest hole if required.

My experience is usually with jap cars tho.

[Pooka]

Originally Posted by Air&Road

Assuming they are fresh packed, cinch the nut down hard, probably about 25 ft. Lbs. to squeeze out the grease then back it off enough to get in the key.

Iv'e done a bunch of these over the years. I would do it just like this every time and never had a problem.

I have had the nut jump off the spindle twice, but both times it was on a Dodge truck. One had 250,000 miles and the other 350,000. That's when I found that there are actually nuts made that address this problem that are just a bit smaller than original and cut their own threads.

I doubt that your car has this much wear on it, but I thought you might like to know that such a product exist if you have trouble with the nut staying tight.

[engatwork]

This car has been severely mistreated. Note the condition of the spindle. It is beat all to heck and back. Supposedly the front capilers are Chebbie units. I purchased new calipers from the local parts store and received the four piston calipers shown in the picture. GTO's had four piston calipers in 1967? Problem is now I don't have a bracket for the caliper. My plans are to have every part I need when I tear this thing down. I can't afford to have it tying up the lift for very long.

I'm not much into this "project" stuff. Maybe I need to have a little higher rate for work like this?

[catmandoo62]

yep that baby lost some wheel bearings.if it was mine i would look for another spindle.as for the calipers.yes they did have the 4 piston calipers in 67 it was a very rare option.the other caliper in the pic is a standard gm caliper.they all used the same ones.search for something like a 1970 A body(chevelle,cutlass,gto,skylark) disc brake set-up.get spindles and all if possible.then your set.

[tyl604]

How about some pics of the GTO.

[LUVMBDiesels]

Lucky to have disc brakes! Mine had drums all around...
That spindle looks shot. I think Year One stocks them as we'll as the rest of the parts you need.

What is she running? Mine had the standard 400 cu in and automatic and Rally IIs

[engatwork]

Here it is. Came in with a Pontiac 350 in it without a transmission. Originally had a 400, 4 speed. Owner wants to put a 400 in it with a 5 speed. Found the build sheet still intact above the gas tank. There is absolutely no rust through anywhere.

[LUVMBDiesels]

Nice! I bet it will be awesome with a 5 speed!

Are you going to go with a tri-power setup?

I am jealous

[KarTek]

I didn't see if mentioned here but I always spin the tire while applying the pre-load torque to the bearing. This ensures that no grease is floating the rollers away from the races.