Last night driving my '62 Electra home from a cruise-in I noticed a loud noise that sounded like it came from the right front wheel. Just as I was comming to a complete stop with the brakes applied I heard a loud clunk. Sounded like the wheel was gonna come off. Nothing appeared loose and I made it home without incident, but I heard the noise every time I stopped. This morning wheel I pulled the wheel off I noticed the spindel is roughed up in the area where the outer bearing rides. I don't know how bad it should be to need replaced, but I would think it would cause friction and heat and probably needs replaced. I then pulled the left wheel off, and that spindel to my surprise was even worse. Besides the mared spindel I find nothing else out of the ordinary, nothing appears loose when I shake it. I also checked motor mounts, they seem fine. Any ideas what that noise could be? Wheel bearings appear to be fine and had plenty of grease. Will have a friend look at this with me next week, but wondering if you guys had any ideas till then.
Problem solved. Turns out the spindles were OK, roughed up area just unpolished raw stock, not where bearing cups ride. Cleaned, lubricated and adjusted brake shoes and repacked bearings, all is well. Took car out for a test ride, beautiful starry night in the convertible, then the fuel pump konked out, had to be towed home. This at 10PM and I had to wait for and hour and a half for a flat bed to load her up on a little traveled rural road. Just me and a million mosquitoes! Thank God for cell phones! Anybody want to buy a car!!
Kevin, you don't really want to sell the car, do you. I haven't seen you out at any of the shows or cruises yet this year.
No, I couldn't sell "Big Red", just frustrated after I had to have it towed, then found out it was only a fuse for the electric fuel pump. Looked OK in the dark trying to look at the fuse box upside down useing an old book of matches from the glove box. I even had spare fuses in the ash tray. Car now has a new flashlight in it. Crappy weather and too much work, haven't has it out much, hopefully will get to do more cruise-ins and a few shows in the near future.
