68 Le Mans wheel bearing

[Brian_Bekker]

I recently purchased a 1968 Le Mans and don't know much about the history. Although the car does appear to have been well cared for. I put the car on blocks to change oil and do some other minor maintenance. I noticed that the passenger-side front tire turns freely but the driver-side front tire drags. If I give the driver-side front tire a hard spin it will only go about another eight of a turn on its own, if that. There is no unusual noise and the drag seems to be about the same all the way around. I imagine this is a concern? Should there be any drag at all? I've never adjusted wheel bearings but presume that's the issue. Can anyone point me to instructions for the lay person. I'm blessed with a garage full of tools, including pullers, but possess limited knowledge.

As an aside I'm having the time of my life. I bought a 1968 GTO project car in 1982. But then got serious about school and work and my GTO has remained untouched. I bought the Le Mans to enjoy and figuring that with a model to look at maybe I could finally get the GTO apart and back together. Girlfriend is jealous that the cars are taking my free time but I'm finally truly happy. Okay that's a bit of an overstatement but I am having fun. Brian

 

[melsg5]

You dont mention whether you have disk or drum brakes. If drum, the shoes could be dragging on the one side. Bearings typically make a noise or are too loose. If you grab the tire on top and bottom do you have wheel play? If you intend to keep the car you should get a copy of the 1968 Chasis Service manual. You can try www.amesperf.com amoung others to get a copy of it. If the bearings are loose and you tighten them without knowing when the last time they were repacked you may cause damage. So the proper thing to do would be to pull all 4 bearings and check them, clean/replace/repack them as necessary.

 

[Brian_Bekker]

Thank you. They are drum brakes. I didn't realize front disc breaks were an option in 1968. So yes the shoes could be dragging.

There is a tiny bit of wheel play top to bottom. Both front tires are the same.

And yes I do need to order the service manuals.