spindle castle nut removal
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,410
Likes: 0
From: chicago IL
spindle castle nut removal
How do you get the castle nut off the spindle assembly!? I have the TA off the car and I can't get to budge
Also, whats the size of those bolts holding the spindle assembly on the TA, my 1/2 inch socket doesn't seem to fit, and the 9/16 is too big
thanks
Also, whats the size of those bolts holding the spindle assembly on the TA, my 1/2 inch socket doesn't seem to fit, and the 9/16 is too big
thanks
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
Rick B.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,410
Likes: 0
From: chicago IL
I got the cotter pin ouit, the bolt just doesn't want to turn, te fact that the trailing arm is off the car doesn't help any either.
I sprayed it down with pb blaster just now, hopefully itll help
I sprayed it down with pb blaster just now, hopefully itll help
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,130
Likes: 3,938
From: Connecticut, USA
The spindle threads may be rolled and beat up from the last guy working on the car. I take apart a lot of arms and use a 1/2 breaker bar or an impact gun on the nuts. The last one was so bad I had to cut the nut in 1/2 , the spindle was wrecked already. If the nut doesn't back off be careful or expect the job to cost more.
9/16 hex heads should be on the studs holding the support on the arm. Expect the support to be seized on the arm as well.
9/16 hex heads should be on the studs holding the support on the arm. Expect the support to be seized on the arm as well.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,429
Likes: 20
From: Kingston Ontario
Geez...you guys must have big tool boxes....
Heating it up pretty good with a torch might work. So will taking it to your shop, saves the knuckles and less stress. You might be able to remove the studs with a punch through the spindle after you get the nut off.
Heating it up pretty good with a torch might work. So will taking it to your shop, saves the knuckles and less stress. You might be able to remove the studs with a punch through the spindle after you get the nut off.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
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
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,114
From: Crossville TN
If the threads are 'damaged' from forceful installation, you may not want to use an impact gun. It could just cause additional tearing and distress to the threads. Best to try getting it off with steady torque application, then chase the threads with a tap to clean them up.
installation, you may not want to use an impact gun. It could just cause additional tearing and distress to the threads. Best to try getting it off with steady torque application, then chase the threads with a tap to clean them up.
Glad it worked.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,930
Likes: 15
From: Calgary Alberta
Clamp an old rotor to your work bench using two c-clamps. Place the studs through the hub and it will prevent the spindle from turning. You can also retighten the spindle nut using this method.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 286
Likes: 1
From: Mesa az
Flat Washer under Nut
And if I remember right I'd suggest replacing the flat washer under the nut. It's slightly "bowed" and allows for the extra "turns" it normally takes to turn the nut passed the minimum torque setting on to a point where you can put in the cotter pin. Mine was especially bad and reached the torque just after it passed the cotter pin opening, then an additional "superman" effort to get the nut on over to the next hole.
Just an FYI.
Andy
Just an FYI.
Andy
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,410
Likes: 0
From: chicago IL
I took it down to my mechanics, known them for a while, 2 minutes with an impact gun and they had the spindles out
Now I just have to get out that thing that is held unto the trailing arm with studs, do I just smack the living hell out of it?
Now I just have to get out that thing that is held unto the trailing arm with studs, do I just smack the living hell out of it?
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 286
Likes: 1
From: Mesa az
Use Some Care
Once the four bolts/nuts are off the spindle support gentle tap/press it out of the arm. Be careful and don't distort the arm, it's heavy steel, but the spindle can be rusted onto the T-arm. It's a bit of a press fit, and with a little rust it can take some "doing".
Andy
Andy
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,775
Likes: 4
just pulled my castle nuts off a moment ago. slight problem with them though. i didnt need a 6 foot breaker bar, i just needed a socket and my fingers. im glad those cotter pins didnt give out... hate to think what would have happened if the spindle came out when i was driving.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,930
Likes: 15
From: Calgary Alberta
just pulled my castle nuts off a moment ago. slight problem with them though. i didnt need a 6 foot breaker bar, i just needed a socket and my fingers. im glad those cotter pins didnt give out... hate to think what would have happened if the spindle came out when i was driving.
