When I recently put my 1964 Chevrolet wagon on the road at last, the rear left tire ended up blowing out about a month later. They were older tires so I didn't think much of it, but when I went to replace it the tire shop told me my rim's center was warped. So thinking that was the only problem I swapped with another rim I had (these are just steel wheels btw). I drove it for about four days, including once on the highway for about 15 miles this time, and the wheel center got warped again, this time so bad it began wobbling and tore the new tire up. Now I'm thinking axel obviously, but what could be wrong with it. This car has been in my family since new so I know the history, and according to my parents the rearend has had issues in the past, atleast two to three times. To the extent that it was supposedly replaced in the late 70's, but they don't really remember specifics. They agree, though, that it worked fine when it was parked though (like 20 years ago) but now its obviously not. I took out the axel shaft on the side that the rim keeps warping on and it checks out fine, it isn't bent and the axel flang and outer bearing on the shaft turn true. So what inside of the orignal style 58-64 8.2 Chevy center chunck could be the issue? Any help is greatly appreciated, thanks...
Make sure the very inside diameter of the rim is round and fits perfectly over the register of the axle. The weight of the vehicle should ride on that raised register part of the axle shaft instead of the studs which retain the rim. If the rim can't snugly fit all the way over the axle it might distort or bend when the nuts are torqued.
yep what he said.also somechevy wheels(older ones) were riveted.if you useing the older ones rivets may have rusted/came loose. first thing i would look at is whats said above.also might check bushings on control arms/rear moving from side to side maybe.keep us posted
Bent axle flange? Debris between the drum and axle flange, or drum and rim? Have you had anyone follow you to watch the rear rims/tires? Make a simple setup to check the axle flange runout if you're on your own. Butch/56sedandelivery.
Okay, to answer all your questions: Yes, I am 100% positive nobody else drives this car as the only set of keys are in my pocket all the time on my key ring with all my other keys. I've checked the runout on the axel shaft that's causing the issue and it seems near perfect, better than some others I've seen which don't have an issue that's for sure, and when it has a new wheel it looks fine when following it. The wheels I'm using are late 70s/early 80's disc brake compatible wheels (because there are disc brakes on the front now) which are spot welded. They fit around the axle register like they should and there is no debris between the wheel and the drum or the drum and the axel flange. Every thing appears to fit together well, that is what is so puzzleing about this whole thing. Plus, this has happened to two different wheels now, from two different sources. And the last wheel balanced out fine at the tire store when I had the tire fitted... not so much now though! B.A.King, you might have something there though. I didn't even think about the control arm bushings! Could it really be that simple? I'll have to check this out tomorrow to see if any of them look bad, but wouldn't that just make the car drive funny all the time. Plus, the more I think about it, could that really bend the wheel??? Thanks for everyone's help so far and please feel free to make any other suggestions. Your guys' help is greatly appreciated, thanks again.
I read but dont have any good ideas. Maybe something was not square from the factory and it is messing the whole rear axle up- but if that were the case I would think both rear tires and wheels would be messed up
Maybe do a 4 wheel alignment. Possibly the axle isn't square in the frame. Not sure it would cause this, but it seems possible. Or stop trying to do power brake burnouts, haha.
not being a prick here( i can be so easy but thats another story). you did check the rear c/a bushings,didn't you? my 59 elky had what i thought were good bushings and the slow side to side motion that i could not feel made the axel come out of the bearing holder. have the bushings ever been replaced? and how about the panhard bar? check em close. i don't think i have ever heard of this before.keep us posted,and good luck/happy hunting
reread post,same wheel? put that puppy up on jackstands,be extra carefull you know, scotch front wheels,all the precautions. you or somebody you trust spin wheels one at a time on the stand using the motor i might add,see if anything looks hokey. does the wheel fit over the axel flange easy? or do you have to drive it on with impact.
Are the drums still riveted on the axle? If so, the newer style wheels don't have the provisions for them and will bend the center of the wheel when you tighten the lug nuts. Don't ask me how I know this!
Update: Yes, I checked out rear control arm bushings and while they are old, they are still complete and plyible. My wheels do fit easily over the axel flange, they don't have to be forced on with an impact or anything like that. And neither my 1964 Belair or my 1962 Impala have rivited on rear (or front) drums or holes where they once were rivited??? Does any 1960's Chevy? I know my 1962 Oldsmobiles' have rivited on front drums/hubs, but not rear. I've put the axle shaft back in and I'm going to put it up on my lift when I can. Right now a friend's '62 nova sedan is on it... could be awhile. I'll take out the third member and see if there is anything obviously wrong there. Other than that, I don't have any other ideas. Any one got a 1959-64 Fullsize Chevy axel they want to sell...cheap!!
hmmmmm,again wasn't trying to be a prick,but you gotta ask. did you put the wheels on or the tire store? i have always been told to tighten lug nuts in a criss cross pattern. to keep from warping wheel.don't know if there is anything to it but i still do it that way.have you got any old ralley wheels laying around to try,just a little stronger wheel. hope you get this worked out ,love the long roofs .and its the old family wagon to.keep us posted
Make sure the tire store isn't bending them when they mount the new tire. It is easier than you think to bend one esp on a lay down machine.Though they should catch it if they spin balance it.
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