Thread: 49-54 chev spindles

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Well I've been pretty sick the last few days, and it's -30 degrees C so needless to say I'm getting pretty bored. I was going to put my front axle from Speedway together so here's some more questions.

First this is the kit:
http://www.speedwaymotors.com/p/3302...-Spindles.html
That has the only instructions and I've never done this before either.

Which side is up on these bearings:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/12817213@N06/2232271554/
and why do I have 4 shims when it only shows one on each side??

This is the order I get with the right being the top:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/12817213@N06/2231478895/

The middle discs are convex so I'm assuming they would curve into the kingpin, they're also a little big so do these get pressed in?? Next on the top and bottom are what I think are dust covers, these are loose and have no way to hold them in place, any ideas???

Finally, what are these, steering stops???
http://www.flickr.com/photos/12817213@N06/2231478471/
Do they go into the holes shown in the kingpin housing where the small allen key is???

I thought this would be easy until I took a closer look.

Thanks,
Sean

I'm sort of familiar with these spindles as my '39 Dodge has them as does my Sons' T bucket.

First off all, the thrust bearing goes between the bottom of the axle and the spindle, it is designed to provide a bearing surface for the weight of the car to ride on. It goes in like the one pictured on the right. If you turned it the other way water would collect inside.

Next.........yes, you have the parts laid out in the right sequence. The round disc is there to keep water out and grease in. I had to take just a tad off of the circumferance of ours to let them slip in easier. Just spun it on a grinding wheel a second or two. The other ones, shaped like a hat, tap down into the top and bottom of the spindle after everything else is installed.

I have never figured out what those spindle stops are for. Evidently they are used in a stock Chevy car application, but on the tube axles there is no place to install them. They do not replace the set screw. After you slide the kingpin into place, make sure the flat section is facing the set screw so it seats down deep into the recess. Use locktite on the set screw too.

I just reread you questions and you mention those top and bottom caps are loose. In mine they fit tight and a brass hammer tapped them into the hole. Are you sure they are seated all the way? Maybe the spindles Speedway is selling are dimensionally a tad bigger? If so, how about a little jb weld around the cap to hold it in place? Just don't use too much.

Don

Oh, and you may find you do not need any shims at all. These are provided for compensating for wear, and we didn't need them on either car.

I kinda figured you would know how to do this, thanks for the help!! Is there anything JB Weld can't do .

Sean.

Here, I thought I might have a picture showing the spindles, but this is the best I have. It sort of shows how the thrust bearing goes under the axle boss.

Don