rear spindle safety question
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,532
Likes: 4
From: Fairview Heights Illinois, near Saint Louis MO, STL C3 Shark
rear spindle safety question
When I bought my 76 last summer, I drove it home 170 miles. I knew about a couple of mechanical things that needed repaired but took my time and got home. I have since noticed that the passenger side rear spindle will need replaced soon. The castlenut or the spindle itself has some stripped threads. There is about 1/8 of an inch of spindle sticking out past the end of the nut, there is a new cotter ping sticking through it. You can grab the tire (when jacked up) and you get a little play. If my wife does it while Im under looking at it, you can tell that the castlenut at least needs tightened because you can see it wiggle a little.
Here is my question, I know the spindle won't "fall off" because the cotter pin will prevent the nut from backing off, but how many folks would still go 120 miles to a Vette show you've been planning for about a year. I think I'll be just fine and plan on replacing the spindle afterwards. I know there is no way I can have it completed before I have to leave on Friday. I figure I drove the 170 miles to get it home, I'll not do any hard accelerations or fast turns etc and will be fine for an easy 2 hour drive to the show and then back.
Lets hear your thoughts, yeahs or neahs.
Here is my question, I know the spindle won't "fall off" because the cotter pin will prevent the nut from backing off, but how many folks would still go 120 miles to a Vette show you've been planning for about a year. I think I'll be just fine and plan on replacing the spindle afterwards. I know there is no way I can have it completed before I have to leave on Friday. I figure I drove the 170 miles to get it home, I'll not do any hard accelerations or fast turns etc and will be fine for an easy 2 hour drive to the show and then back.
Lets hear your thoughts, yeahs or neahs.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,053
Likes: 4
St. Jude Donor '03,'11
go to the show.
everyone else here will tell you to do a frame off first becasue we have a forum full of worry warts here.
P.S. Get AAA gold. They will tow you up to 100 miles. Its a must have for anyone with a C3.
everyone else here will tell you to do a frame off first becasue we have a forum full of worry warts here.
P.S. Get AAA gold. They will tow you up to 100 miles. Its a must have for anyone with a C3.
Last edited by turtlevette; Mar 28, 2005 at 09:04 AM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,532
Likes: 4
From: Fairview Heights Illinois, near Saint Louis MO, STL C3 Shark
That's the problem, I can't re-torque it as it spins freely. You can tell that either the spindle threads or the threads on the castle nut are stripped. So I can't tighten it any further.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,166
Likes: 3,968
From: Connecticut, USA
It's very possible someone was in there before you got the car so anything is possible. I don't think the spindle will fall out but they do break/shear. Most times due to overloading but it could be due to improper setup. There's not much to the spindle. I had some that I wouldn't trust around the block,it's hard to say how far you could go IF bubba was there.
Gary
Gary
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,727
Likes: 38
From: Fremont CA
I have had the castle nuts "Crack" before. I wouldn't drive 10 miles let alone 100 miles on a compromised component but, it's your Vette. Panels are easy to replace and if you learn how to do it yourself, the job could be done for under $1,500 after the car goes back "into" paint. Do you really want to make that show? is th eplastic trophy really worth the risk? Your Vette, your choice. You can always attend and "scope" the competition out and make the extra effort for the next show.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,053
Likes: 4
St. Jude Donor '03,'11
Originally Posted by Solid LT1
I have had the castle nuts "Crack" before. I wouldn't drive 10 miles let alone 100 miles on a compromised component but, it's your Vette. Panels are easy to replace and if you learn how to do it yourself, the job could be done for under $1,500 after the car goes back "into" paint. Do you really want to make that show? is th eplastic trophy really worth the risk? Your Vette, your choice. You can always attend and "scope" the competition out and make the extra effort for the next show.
Here we go. You forgot to tell him his head is going to explode too.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,532
Likes: 4
From: Fairview Heights Illinois, near Saint Louis MO, STL C3 Shark
Originally Posted by gtr1999
It's very possible someone was in there before you got the car so anything is possible. I don't think the spindle will fall out but they do break/shear. Most times due to overloading but it could be due to improper setup. There's not much to the spindle. I had some that I wouldn't trust around the block,it's hard to say how far you could go IF bubba was there.
Gary
Gary
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 12
From: Waterloo ontario Canada
That's the problem, I can't re-torque it as it spins freely. You can tell that either the spindle threads or the threads on the castle nut are stripped. So I can't tighten it any further.
I thought the nut spun freely on the axle if it wasn't for the cotter pin? I thought the nut or the axle was stripped??
So what is left holding the axle in is the cotter pin and the press fit on the bearings??
He would be lucky if all that got damaged was a rear fender. How about a life? His of someone elses?
If what I thought is true I wouldn't drive it until it is fixed.
I thought the nut spun freely on the axle if it wasn't for the cotter pin? I thought the nut or the axle was stripped??
So what is left holding the axle in is the cotter pin and the press fit on the bearings??
He would be lucky if all that got damaged was a rear fender. How about a life? His of someone elses?
If what I thought is true I wouldn't drive it until it is fixed.
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 687
Likes: 0
You say the threads are stripped? The cotter pin is only meant to keep the nut from losening, it is not and will not take much thrust load. There's no way I would drive it if it is like you described. Fix it first, it is not worth the risk just to take it another show.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,053
Likes: 4
St. Jude Donor '03,'11
ruby,
do you have a firm brake pedal?
Take the nut off and try to pull the wheel out. The inner bearing should be pressed on and won't allow the spindle to walk out.
In addition to that the brake caliper will hold the spindle in to some extent.
you can attempt to see whether the spindle or nut is stripped. You could use a new nut and/or retap the spindle.
do you have a firm brake pedal?
Take the nut off and try to pull the wheel out. The inner bearing should be pressed on and won't allow the spindle to walk out.
In addition to that the brake caliper will hold the spindle in to some extent.
you can attempt to see whether the spindle or nut is stripped. You could use a new nut and/or retap the spindle.
Last edited by turtlevette; Mar 28, 2005 at 11:54 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 8,351
Likes: 75
From: Tampa Bay FL
Originally Posted by ruby76
When I bought my 76 last summer, I drove it home 170 miles. I knew about a couple of mechanical things that needed repaired but took my time and got home. I have since noticed that the passenger side rear spindle will need replaced soon. The castlenut or the spindle itself has some stripped threads. There is about 1/8 of an inch of spindle sticking out past the end of the nut, there is a new cotter ping sticking through it. You can grab the tire (when jacked up) and you get a little play. If my wife does it while Im under looking at it, you can tell that the castlenut at least needs tightened because you can see it wiggle a little.
Here is my question, I know the spindle won't "fall off" because the cotter pin will prevent the nut from backing off, but how many folks would still go 120 miles to a Vette show you've been planning for about a year. I think I'll be just fine and plan on replacing the spindle afterwards. I know there is no way I can have it completed before I have to leave on Friday. I figure I drove the 170 miles to get it home, I'll not do any hard accelerations or fast turns etc and will be fine for an easy 2 hour drive to the show and then back.
Lets hear your thoughts, yeahs or neahs.
Here is my question, I know the spindle won't "fall off" because the cotter pin will prevent the nut from backing off, but how many folks would still go 120 miles to a Vette show you've been planning for about a year. I think I'll be just fine and plan on replacing the spindle afterwards. I know there is no way I can have it completed before I have to leave on Friday. I figure I drove the 170 miles to get it home, I'll not do any hard accelerations or fast turns etc and will be fine for an easy 2 hour drive to the show and then back.
Lets hear your thoughts, yeahs or neahs.
Yep, we's a bunch of worry warts here. Do what you want. It's your car. Seems you are in good hands. As for me, I feel much more secure having had two bad spindles recently replaced. But I'm not giving you advice one way or t' other... uh uh, not me.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 1
From: New Cumberland PA
Originally Posted by 70vert
You say the threads are stripped? The cotter pin is only meant to keep the nut from losening, it is not and will not take much thrust load. There's no way I would drive it if it is like you described. Fix it first, it is not worth the risk just to take it another show.
The threads and castlenut nut are there for a reason. I would not advise driving the car at all until it repaired. That would make as much sense as driving it with 4 stripped lug nuts, all that is needed is one to keep the wheel on.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 12
From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Originally Posted by TedH
Yep, we's a bunch of worry warts here. Do what you want. It's your car. Seems you are in good hands. As for me, I feel much more secure having had two bad spindles recently replaced. But I'm not giving you advice one way or t' other... uh uh, not me.
Be responsible and fix the car before risking everyone's life.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,053
Likes: 4
St. Jude Donor '03,'11
Originally Posted by norvalwilhelm
If someone wants to go out and kill themselves then so be it but what about the innocent person, could be someone's wife, husband and child and the wheel comes off and in the resulting head on one could die. This is everyone's problem.
Be responsible and fix the car before risking everyone's life.
Be responsible and fix the car before risking everyone's life.
If the bearing is pressed on, it is unlikely to come apart. In addition it would take several hundred pounds of force to shear that cotter pin. Normal driving around will not put these kinds of stresses on it. Its probable that this condition has existed for some time.
Lets see what he says about whether the shaft or nut is stripped and see if it is salvageable. I'd really like to see him get to his car show. If we all worried about everything that could happen we'd never take these things out of the garage.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 1
From: New Cumberland PA
Originally Posted by turtlevette
With all due respect and you know i have the utmost respect for your knowledge, everything in life is a risk. People take calculated risks every day.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 4,832
Likes: 0
From: Florida
Originally Posted by TedH
Yep, we's a bunch of worry warts here. Do what you want. It's your car. Seems you are in good hands. As for me, I feel much more secure having had two bad spindles recently replaced. But I'm not giving you advice one way or t' other... uh uh, not me.