Crimsonnaire

iTrader: (1)

Do any of your 98+ Trans Am's have a slight play at the rear wheels? If so, is this normal, or does it mean that the bearings need to be replaced?

1995blacktattop

iTrader: (2)

just a thought but i remember reading how LT1's won't accept LS1 wheels without modification of the wheels to allow for a sligtly larger calipor or something? could it be that your running larger LT1 style wheels or aftermarket wheels on your LS1 and thus the wheels are slightly too big and thats why you can move them? just a hunch but it seems logical to me based on the modifications that need done to LT1's... although the ZR1's on my car bolted right on and have been there for 3+ years w/o issue

Crimsonnaire

iTrader: (1)

My wheels are stock 17" WS6. Are post 98 WS6 wheels exactly the same as the pre 98 ones?

Are stock wheels supposed to have absolutely no play at the rear?

1996firebirdformula

iTrader: (3)

I just got polished ws6 rims front fits perfect. but back hub of the rim had to be grinded a little for it to fit.

Formula350

iTrader: (3)

I was under the impression that 16" rim is a 16" rim

I just put a 99+ Rear under my 93, and the stock 16"s cleared just fine, as do the stock 5 spoke 16"s I put on.

Caliper grinding DOES need to be done for 15" rims to fit though.
You can see here where the_merv did it:

ryanmh1

The latter.

Crimsonnaire

iTrader: (1)

Do any of your rear wheels move slightly when you yank sideways (perpendicular to front and rear)?

wabmorgan

The problem I think you are refering to is the rear hubs are manfactured slightly larger on the LT1s. The differance is about the thickness of a human hair. So, what you do is grind off the differance on the wheels where it goes over the hub.

BadGTho

iTrader: (6)

you are not talking about the wheels.. you're talking about being able to pull the axleshaft in and out slightly? correct?

in order to get a proper answer, it helps to ask the proper question.

yes.. a little is normal.

DevilDougWS6

iTrader: (8)

probably a wheel bearing..very common and should be replaced, im going to do mine when i rebuild my rear, only want to take it apart once.

BadGTho

iTrader: (6)

dude. that movement is not a wheel bearing. the bearing centers the axle in the tube. the ability to move the axle in and out has nothing to do with the wheel bearing.

thanks.

Z28/2002

iTrader: (27)

It's normal. If they didn't have some play then you wouldn't be able to get the C-clips out to swap gears or axles

BadGTho

iTrader: (6)

exactly

Crimsonnaire

iTrader: (1)

Yes, you're right. I should've mentioned the axle. Thank you for the clarification.

Well, that's certainly a relief. When I was at the Meineke shop, the guy said that the slight play means I should replace the bearings and that if I drive it like this for more than a week, I could risk damaging the rear end... But then, at another Meineke shop, they told me that you're supposed to have a slight play anyhow. Thanks for the confirmation, BadGTho and Z28/2002.

I was worried about this because I thought it might be causing the faint tapping sound I hear when I start to brake. I know it's not the brakes, and since the axle play doesn't have anything to do with the bearings, could the bearings themselves cause a tapping sound when braking, or would the shocks be the more likely candidate?

BadGTho

iTrader: (6)

meineke? i think that sums it up. retards.

bad rear wheel bearings make a whirring, to a dull sandy noise when they start to go.

the tapping when on the brakes could be the track bar, a cracked brake pad, a control arm... etc.

probably not a bearing.

1995blacktattop

iTrader: (2)

what causes a light squealing going around a corner? my left rear sometimes makes a screach/squeal when turning... has for a year or more and doesnt happen all the time, just under a fast corner (like say 20mph or more going around a 90 degree corner)

DevilDougWS6

iTrader: (8)

oh i guess i missed when he said that, i thought he meant side to side up and down movement. i only skimmed all of the posts. relax, i know what a wheel bearing does.

BadGTho

iTrader: (6)

it could be a tire rubbing, or it could be the diff itself. do you have LSD additive in there?

it could also be worn rear pads.. though that's less likely.

Formula350

iTrader: (3)

99+ rears don't need additive since they're of different design. Just for the record.

BadGTho

iTrader: (6)

whatever you say.

different design or not.. the diff will last longer with the proper additive.