Rear Brake Backing Plate and Wheel Bearings...thoughts?

[bdp1978]

I ordered new rear brake backing plates yesterday from Rock Auto. One of mine has completely disintegrated and Im pretty sure the driver side is right behind it. Living in Michigan I want to get these changed before the snow flies.


Just curious as to how many have had rear wheel bearing issues. Im figuring since I need to pull the rear axles I should probably just do the bearings and seals while I have it all apart. Im kind of kicking myself for not ordering them.

I know there is a writeup about them but have a lot of you guys found youre rear bearings have gone bad at all? I'm at 110k miles right now.

[The Roadie]

I swapped axles before mine went bad. Took almost the same amount of time as I've heard a bearing job could take.

[trailburner]

ah the joys of livin' in the rust belt!! .....rust!
since you're gonna have it that far apart i'de change the bearings too.
they're not hard to do especialy since all the hardware will be out of the way.
how do the rotors look? and check the condition of the intregal parking brake drum and "shoe".
that might be some other parts you'll want to fix before the snow flies..... which will be comin' sooner than we care to think about.
don't forget the seals!

[bdp1978]

ah the joys of livin' in the rust belt!! .....rust!
since you're gonna have it that far apart i'de change the bearings too.
they're not hard to do especialy since all the hardware will be out of the way.

Yep, this was kinda my thinking on it. Going to practically have the bearings out anyways so might as well change bearings and seals.

Ive always kept my frame undercoated and oiled so its held up great from rust.....those backing plates literally just crumble eventually though!!!

[tbangert]

I'm at 98,000 miles and just noticed my passenger side axle bearings going bad when I rotated my tires. If you're going to have it all apart anyways, might as well go a little further. I have to do my reading up now too to see how this axle comes apart... or look for an 8.6...

[fishsticks]

I just scrapped my old 8" axle housing yesterday. It had pristine backing plates and hardware on it still. I wish I'd known you needed some.

[bdp1978]

I just scrapped my old 8" axle housing yesterday. It had pristine backing plates and hardware on it still. I wish I'd known you needed some.

Appreciate it Fish!!! No biggie though, from RockAuto they're only $24 bucks with shipping for both sides. Bigger P.I.A. to change them than pay for them!!

Apparently here in the Midwest and in the Northeast the backing plates rusting out is a pretty normal thing. RockAuto has them listed as "One of their most popular parts"

[trailburner]

my backing plates are fine. mine had an electronic rust inhibitor installed sometime during it's life. they rust in the stupidist places with a rust inhibitor.

[bdp1978]

my backing plates are fine. mine had an electronic rust inhibitor installed sometime during it's life. they rust in the stupidist places with a rust inhibitor.

, so your TB has been rubbed in Snake oil

Anyways, new back plates, axle seals, and rear brakes. 2 hrs and done-everything looks brand new again in the a$$ end of my TB.

[trailburner]

deffinately snake oil!!
my mom's tb is the same year and mileage as mine, and has spent it's winters on salted ohio roads.
mine has more rust!

[v7guy]

I did this on my firebird many years ago. It's fairly straight forward. Assuming it's the same, release the c clip, slide out the axle, replace the plate. Should probably replace the bearings while you're in there. Not a big deal at all. Just takes some time.

[bdp1978]

I did this on my firebird many years ago. It's fairly straight forward. Assuming it's the same, release the c clip, slide out the axle, replace the plate. Should probably replace the bearings while you're in there. Not a big deal at all. Just takes some time.

You are correct sir! Pretty straight forward. I replaced my axle seals while I had it apart due to some seapage, but my bearings were like brand new still. Even after 5 years of boat hauling. The fact they run in gear oil seems to make a huge difference.