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[GMCnet] Wallace Bearings, what to do now? [message #96337] Wed, 18 August 2010 16:20 Go to next message
980 is currently offline  980   United States
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Hi everyone,

Nick and the guys at Applied have that noise in my front left figured
out. It's the wallace bearing on that side. When the load get's light,
the bearings get loose and the wheel moves a bit.

I'm not ready to buy new front hubs, bearings, knuckles etc. What can I
do to re-hab these wallaces for a bit longer? Can I shim them or something?

Are there any gurus on these around? I don't have a lot or experience
with bearings since my Street Stock days on the dirt track and that was
just to keep repacking the camaro pronts since we'd hit each other so
hard. It's also possible that my brain is loose from that.

Desmond "Not packed at tightly as I used to be" Crisis.

--
1977 GMC ex-Palm Beach, 26-3
Treasure Island, CA
KC6VHG, KAG0675 "980"

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Re: [GMCnet] Wallace Bearings, what to do now? [message #96340 is a reply to message #96337] Wed, 18 August 2010 16:55 Go to previous messageGo to next message
kingd is currently offline  kingd   Canada
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I guess the question is, "in which part are the bearings loose and can this be corrected with metal spray and machining ?"

DAVE KING


DAVE KING lurker, wannabe Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Re: [GMCnet] Wallace Bearings, what to do now? [message #96341 is a reply to message #96337] Wed, 18 August 2010 17:06 Go to previous messageGo to next message
MikeT   United States
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I took my knuckles to Cinnabar and had them replace all the bearing including the Wallace third bearing. Even after 100K miles from the PO, they really did not need to be replaced. Not cheap but cheaper then all new. They also replaced the lugs with longer ones and new rotors since mine were out of spec. Think it was about $900.00. But now I know I am good for another 100K if I grease regularly.

Good Luck


Mike Thomas Marine City, MI 77 ex Palm Beach
Re: [GMCnet] Wallace Bearings, what to do now? [message #96344 is a reply to message #96337] Wed, 18 August 2010 17:34 Go to previous messageGo to next message
bukzin is currently offline  bukzin   United States
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I think there may be a bit of info on Wallace hubs
on Gene Fisher's site.


Bukzin
1977 Palm Beach
Re: [GMCnet] Wallace Bearings, what to do now? [message #96347 is a reply to message #96341] Wed, 18 August 2010 18:08 Go to previous messageGo to next message
980 is currently offline  980   United States
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So far, I've been hearing the the hub is modified in some way that I
can't just change the bearings and I'll need to replace the whole
knuckle. I don't really understand what is different other than the
internal bearings. I didn't even know that Wallace bearings existed before.

I'm trying to find out what is different and what is the same so that I
can figure out how to service them. Right now the wheel wobbles a
little when lifted. Can I just replace the bearings? I'm likely to
change it back over when I can afford to do it all but that's not
exactly in my reach right now.

DC

On 08/18/2010 03:06 PM, Thomas Mike wrote:
>
> I took my knuckles to Cinnabar and had them replace all the bearing including the Wallace third bearing. Even after 100K miles from the PO, they really did not need to be replaced. Not cheap but cheaper then all new. They also replaced the lugs with longer ones and new rotors since mine were out of spec. Think it was about $900.00. But now I know I am good for another 100K if I grease regularly.
>
> Good Luck
>


--
1977 GMC ex-Palm Beach, 26-3
Treasure Island, CA
KC6VHG, KAG0675 "980"

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Re: [GMCnet] Wallace Bearings, what to do now? [message #96348 is a reply to message #96347] Wed, 18 August 2010 18:16 Go to previous messageGo to next message
comcast is currently offline  comcast   United States
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Someone, I think Terry Skinner, was involved in the bearing
replacement on a Wallace set up. Might be on the photo site. Seems
they had no problem doing the job.

Roger Black
77 Birchaven With Wallace Bearings
Burns, Tn




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Re: [GMCnet] Wallace Bearings, what to do now? [message #96349 is a reply to message #96347] Wed, 18 August 2010 18:18 Go to previous messageGo to next message
emerystora is currently offline  emerystora   United States
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On Aug 18, 2010, at 5:08 PM, Desmond's GMC wrote:

> So far, I've been hearing the the hub is modified in some way that I
> can't just change the bearings and I'll need to replace the whole
> knuckle. I don't really understand what is different other than the
> internal bearings. I didn't even know that Wallace bearings existed before.
>
> I'm trying to find out what is different and what is the same so that I
> can figure out how to service them. Right now the wheel wobbles a
> little when lifted. Can I just replace the bearings? I'm likely to
> change it back over when I can afford to do it all but that's not
> exactly in my reach right now.
>
> DC


Yes, if the hub and /or knuckle is not worn out of tolerances you can just replace the bearings (3).

Emery Stora
77 Kingsley
Santa Fe, NM


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Re: [GMCnet] Wallace Bearings, what to do now? [message #96353 is a reply to message #96347] Wed, 18 August 2010 19:06 Go to previous messageGo to next message
MikeT   United States
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Registered: November 2009
Location: Marine City, Michigan
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OK, just remember I am new at this also. Attached is a link to the Wallace picture flyer that I got with my coach. My homework showed that the knuckle was machined to accept the new third bearing. Now you have three bearings, the two original and the bigger wallace third bearing. You can not remove the wallace bearing and go back to stock with your knuckles. You would need to get new knuckles or just replace all the bearings like I did. I elected to take the easy way out and let Cinnabar do the work because I can not work to the right of the decimal point to install new bearing myself. My mechanical aptitude makes me stay to the left and therefore I keep myself out of trouble.

Here is the link to the picture.

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=35394&title=wallace-bearing&cat=500

Cinnabar part numbers:

Item: 1235 Front Wheel Bearing Kit. $106 times two
Item: 6012 Bearing, Wallace (3rd) $75 time two

I also paid the labor of $320 to assemble

I have a few more pages I can scan but this one has the most information.

Hope this helps.


Mike Thomas Marine City, MI 77 ex Palm Beach
Re: [GMCnet] Wallace Bearings, what to do now? [message #96357 is a reply to message #96347] Wed, 18 August 2010 20:10 Go to previous messageGo to next message
mike miller   United States
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980 wrote on Wed, 18 August 2010 16:08

... I'm likely to change it back over when I can afford to do it all
but that's not exactly in my reach right now.


Anytime you (or any GMC'er) are thinking of doing MAJOR work on your hubs/knuckles/brakes/a-arms, you should look at the compare the costs with the "Bill Hubler Heavy Duty Front End Kit"
<http://www.appliedgmc.com/prod.itml/icOid/635>

If you add up ALL the components upgraded by the kit, it costs more to STAY OEM than it does to upgrade.

Granted, if you do not need, and are not planning a "close to full rebuild," it could be cheaper to stay oem on just the few parts you need.


Mike Miller -- Hillsboro, OR -- on the Black list
(#2)`78 23' Birchaven Rear Bath -- (#3)`77 23' Birchaven Side Bath
More Sidekicks than GMC's and a late model Malibu called 'Boo' http://m000035.blogspot.com
Re: [GMCnet] Wallace Bearings, what to do now? [message #96361 is a reply to message #96348] Wed, 18 August 2010 20:20 Go to previous messageGo to next message
jimk is currently offline  jimk   United States
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Some one that does not understand the front hub assy. loosened up the big
nut thinking it should be set like any wheel bearing.
The hub is shot from not having the assy tight.
Now the knuckles are shot, along with the hub.
I know you can run it that way till you hear grinding sound, then it's over.
No core value for non rebuild able parts.
I was one of the first to purchase the Wallace Hubs back in 1984.
Wes C. told me that I must be one stupid engineer to think that it would do
anything to straighten the front . I had to agree, buy I told him it was a
good way to get the grease fitting.




Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Fremont,CA
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
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Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
Re: [GMCnet] Wallace Bearings, what to do now? [message #96374 is a reply to message #96337] Wed, 18 August 2010 22:00 Go to previous messageGo to next message
fred v is currently offline  fred v   United States
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i would think it would be OK to just replace the one side for now and do the other one when it goes bad. sounds like the knuckle is shot from what Jim says.


Fred V
'77 Royale RB 455
P'cola, Fl
Re: [GMCnet] Wallace Bearings, what to do now? [message #96394 is a reply to message #96357] Thu, 19 August 2010 08:14 Go to previous messageGo to next message
cbwoodsr is currently offline  cbwoodsr   United States
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Is that for both sides or Sad one side...
Thankx


CBWood
77 Kingslay
MWC OK
ONLINE PARTS PROGRAM
www.GMCMHParts.com

Re: [GMCnet] Wallace Bearings, what to do now? [message #96418 is a reply to message #96394] Thu, 19 August 2010 11:27 Go to previous messageGo to next message
mike miller   United States
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CBWoodSR wrote on Thu, 19 August 2010 06:14

Is that for both sides or Sad one side...


The "Hubler Kit" would be something to think about if you needed more than just knuckles. The kit replaces (and upgrades) your hubs, knuckles (including bearings and seals), lower A arms (with ball joints and bushings), Drive axles (with CV joints), and brake rotors/calipers. The kit also includes spacers.

If your coach needs over half of the above items, you really need to run the numbers before replacing with OEM.

Note: I do NOT have the kit. My plans are to rebuild one of my coaches as a "keeper" coach. (Using the other coach while I do it.) As I plan on driving the "keeper" 25 or 30 years from now, I will be installing a Hubler kit along with upper arms and all the tie rods and levers.


Mike Miller -- Hillsboro, OR -- on the Black list
(#2)`78 23' Birchaven Rear Bath -- (#3)`77 23' Birchaven Side Bath
More Sidekicks than GMC's and a late model Malibu called 'Boo' http://m000035.blogspot.com
Re: [GMCnet] Wallace Bearings, what to do now? [message #96421 is a reply to message #96418] Thu, 19 August 2010 11:47 Go to previous messageGo to next message
bukzin is currently offline  bukzin   United States
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Could you give us a ballpark as to costs?

Bukzin
1977 Palm Beach
[GMCnet] Got Hublers? (was Re: Wallace Bearings, what to do now?) [message #96422 is a reply to message #96418] Thu, 19 August 2010 11:44 Go to previous messageGo to next message
980 is currently offline  980   United States
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I looked at the Hubler Kit, but it's quite a luxury at that price.
Maybe someone who has one can tell us how that's going. They say that
the bearings are off-the-shelf but are they easier to replace than the
stock ones or do you still need the special tool?

I plan to own my coach for a while, so I've got to start saving up for
the fuel-cell engine I'll need when we've finished burning all of the
dinosaurs! The strategy so far has been; get it all working right
first, then think about the upgrades. I've got a list.

My prediction is that the Hubler 1-ton kit is just about double the cost
of the stock parts I need now (partly because it also upgrades the
brakes, axles, etc.) The problem with my Wallace kit is that that all
of the involved parts I have are modified, so I can't expect to get the
core charge back. I think I'll just look around the shop here and
finally sell some radios I've been meaning to. Two-ways anyone? I've
got a lot!

DC

--
1977 GMC ex-Palm Beach, 26-3
Treasure Island, CA
KC6VHG, KAG0675 "980"

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Re: [GMCnet] Wallace Bearings, what to do now? [message #96428 is a reply to message #96421] Thu, 19 August 2010 12:00 Go to previous messageGo to next message
980 is currently offline  980   United States
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>
> Could you give us a ballpark as to costs?
For what I need (I already had a couple of the parts I needed) I'm
looking at around $1700.00 in parts. The Hubler kit lists for $2995.00.

I think I'll do it someday, but after I'm done setting back to stock I
should be good for 50,000 miles, so that should get me a year or two! :)

I got a solid piece of advice when while we were shopping for our
coach. We had a chance meeting with Rick Flanigan. His GMC is a
beauty. He really did a nice job and it left me wondering how we'd ever
get a coach that nice until he told me that he'd had it for 18 years and
you just do it a little bit at a time. Even my wife bought into that
philosophy.

So it look like this is the little bit we'll do now, but I'd still like
to hear about how the Hublers are working for people. If the bearings
are easier to swap in the future that definitely makes a difference, but
I'm speaking from the perspective of someone with a coach that has a
different "upgrade mod" and is trying to get it put back since the
support for it went away.

DC

--
1977 GMC ex-Palm Beach, 26-3
Treasure Island, CA
KC6VHG, KAG0675 "980"

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Re: [GMCnet] Got Hublers? (was Re: Wallace Bearings, what to do now?) [message #96432 is a reply to message #96422] Thu, 19 August 2010 13:04 Go to previous messageGo to next message
bukzin is currently offline  bukzin   United States
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[quote title=980 wrote on Thu, 19 August 2010 09:44]I looked at the Hubler Kit, but it's quite a luxury at that price.
Maybe someone who has one can tell us how that's going. They say that
the bearings are off-the-shelf but are they easier to replace than the
stock ones or do you still need the special tool?

I plan to own my coach for a while, so I've got to start saving up for
the fuel-cell engine I'll need when we've finished burning all of the
dinosaurs! The strategy so far has been; get it all working right
first, then think about the upgrades. I've got a list.

My prediction is that the Hubler 1-ton kit is just about double the cost
of the stock parts I need now (partly because it also upgrades the
brakes, axles, etc.) The problem with my Wallace kit is that that all
of the involved parts I have are modified, so I can't expect to get the
core charge back. I think I'll just look around the shop here and
finally sell some radios I've been meaning to. Two-ways anyone? I've
got a lot!

DC

--
1977 GMC ex-Palm Beach, 26-3
Treasure Island, CA
KC6VHG, KAG0675 "980"

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Since the Hublers include a brake upgrade that makes them
more attractive, of course.

My brakes have never been impressive so someday...


Bukzin
1977 Palm Beach
Re: [GMCnet] Got Hublers? (was Re: Wallace Bearings, what to do now?) [message #96435 is a reply to message #96422] Thu, 19 August 2010 13:28 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Mr ERFisher is currently offline  Mr ERFisher   United States
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The problem with my Wallace kit is that that all

> of the involved parts I have are modified, so I can't expect to get the
> core charge back.
>

I am thinking there will be some folks wanting to buy your Wallace parts for
backup on their systems. might recover some money going to standard hubs
and knuckles (with zerks only ;>)

gene


>
> --
> 1977 GMC ex-Palm Beach, 26-3
> Treasure Island, CA
> KC6VHG, KAG0675 "980"
>
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--
Gene Fisher -- 74-23,77PB/ore/ca
“Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today --- give him a URL and
-------
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Alternator Protection Cable
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Re: [GMCnet] Got Hublers? (was Re: Wallace Bearings, what to do now?) [message #96451 is a reply to message #96422] Thu, 19 August 2010 16:48 Go to previous messageGo to next message
C Boyd is currently offline  C Boyd   United States
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The problem with my Wallace kit is that that all
of the involved parts I have are modified, so I can't expect to get the
core charge back. I think I'll just look around the shop here and
finally sell some radios I've been meaning to. Two-ways anyone? I've
got a lot!

DC

--
1977 GMC ex-Palm Beach, 26-3
Treasure Island, CA
KC6VHG, KAG0675 "980"

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[/quote]








Sir: another option would be to call Dave Lenzi and see if He would repair Your Wallace setup. I believe it is a good set up when torqued properly and would be an asset for you in the long run..
http://www.bdub.net/lenzi/index.html
I have found that the best man for the job is usually the busiest..... Good Luck..


C. Boyd
76 Crestmont
East Tennessee
Re: [GMCnet] Wallace Bearings, what to do now? [message #96454 is a reply to message #96337] Thu, 19 August 2010 17:07 Go to previous messageGo to previous message
g.winger is currently offline  g.winger   United States
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I have the Hubler conversion. Only a few miles so far but I love it. When Jim held up the bearings side by side at Ammana I stated out loud that was what I was going to have. The chevy 1ton bearings are 50% larger dia. The GMC/Toro bearing stack is 1.6" from outside to outside. The 1 ton is alot farther apart. You don't need any special tools. Unless you call a 15mm socket special! The hub is connected to the knuckel with 4 bolts. I could swap in a spare hub with hand tools in less than 20 min. counting jacking and tire removal with hand tools! 12 inch rotor is a plus!!Did I mention I liked it or could you tell??,,,PL
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