C4 Front bearings

[RedLS1GTO]

I have seen a lot of debate over the years in regards to front hubs on late C4s. Some folks have violently disagreed with this approach but after 3 full seasons of abuse with 315 series R compound tires I can say with some certainty that it works with no ill effects.

I am one of those strange brand loyal people. When I find something that works, I stick with it. In this case... SKF bearings. The problem is that SKF doesn't make a C4 front hub. Here is my solution. I use hubs that are listed for 4th Gen F-bodies. The difference in them is that the holes in the flange are threaded as opposed to thru-holes with a nut and bolt on the Vette. Some folks have drilled these holes to make them match the OEM exactly. I did not (the part that people object to). I simply put the bolt in from the back and threaded it into the flange exactly like you would on a F-body. I don't think it was at all necessary but I went ahead and put the nuts on the protruding threads. I did it mostly because it is how my spindle ducts are attached but it should add an extra little bit of security for anybody concerned about the bolts backing out (which isn't going to happen).

Here is a link to what I think is BY FAR the cheapest place to get them. The site looks cheesy but I have bought things from them a few times and have always gotten great delivery times.

bearings,ball bearings,clutch release,skf,timken,cr

Yea... I'm bored.

[PLRX]

Yes, I remember your post sometime ago. If it works in the track it will work anywhere else.

[mike100]

The front bearings on my 91 have a little more play than my 95 did, maybe I will replace them before failure just to minimize any brake pedal play in the hydraulic take up. The pedal is pretty good, but it could always be better.

[RedLS1GTO]

Mike's reply made me think about adding a disclaimer. When this came up on the other forum I had some guy get all pissed off because I gave him bad information and he blamed me for wasting money (he bought them for his early C4). Using these hubs works on MY 96. That is the only guarantee that I will give.

From what I know there were 3 different styles of bearings over the course of the C4...

84-85
86-90
91-96

These should work on 91-96.

[mike100]

maybe that guy on the other forum could sell me his wrong hubs at discount.

[RedLS1GTO]

Originally Posted by mike100

maybe that guy on the other forum could sell me his wrong hubs at discount.

He ended up sending them back to where he got them (Summit I think) and paid a huge restocking fee... which he also blamed on me.

I wish I would have saved that thread before it got boneyarded. At 1 point he said he would bet me a thousand dollars that I was wrong and I didn't actually have F-body hubs on my car. He also sent every mod and admin he could find PMs as well as posted in the thread that I should be banned for giving out false information. I think at one point he actually threatened a lawsuit (not kidding). I'm still waiting for my money for the bet.

That thread was full of win.

[mike100]

so the abs ring and resolver work fine?

[RedLS1GTO]

Originally Posted by mike100

so the abs ring and resolver work fine?

I have heard that the answer is yes from others who have gone this route. I have the abs bypassed on mine so I cannot speak from experience on that one. I can say with 100% certainty that the plug is the same and will plug in without issue.