Spindle has bent up threads
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,410
Likes: 0
From: chicago IL
Spindle has bent up threads
When the spindles were being knocked out, one of them had the top threads bent inwards (where the hole is for the cotter pin) past the whole the threads are perfect, (ill try to post pics soon) Is it possible to straighten out the threads? The cotter pin hole has closed up, its no longer round, so I'm thinking maybe if I take it to a machine shop they can straighten it out, or is it possible to just cut off the damaged threads and use some other mechanism to make sure the nut doesn't back off?
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,229
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From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Yes it CAN be fixed. Take and grind the end, from the hole outward. to a slight taper. run a drill bit through the hole and re-die the threads. all of this should only take 10-15 minutes.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
i had a machine shop redo a severely mushroomed spindle thread once - they cut a brand new thread and used a slightly smaller castle nut - they charged me $20 bucks - worked great on the car.
last week i had a machine shop convert two spindles to slip fit bearings - when i picked them up the dude refused to take any money - said it was nothing to it - did a great job - super snug.
it's good to know about all the machine shops in your area and what their specialties are.
i find automotive specialiced machine shops will stick it to you - so i go to the marine and industrial type ones - to them a spindle thread is a play toy thing.
last week i had a machine shop convert two spindles to slip fit bearings - when i picked them up the dude refused to take any money - said it was nothing to it - did a great job - super snug.
it's good to know about all the machine shops in your area and what their specialties are.
i find automotive specialiced machine shops will stick it to you - so i go to the marine and industrial type ones - to them a spindle thread is a play toy thing.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 286
Likes: 1
From: Mesa az
Just My 2 Cents
The tip of spindle has been severly "work hardened" and may be too brittle. Since this holds the wheel on, and holds the half shaft to the T-arm assembly), and may (my opinion) fracture during use, I'd replace the spindle.
I'd invite others to "chime in".
Andy
I'd invite others to "chime in".
Andy
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,410
Likes: 0
From: chicago IL
I'm also thinking to just replace it, I got an offer for $55 for a good spindle, I'm thinking machine shops around here will at least take $20, for an extra $35 I could have piece of mind that everything will be up to spec and correct.
Thanks for all the tips though, I'll try to do the grinder trick anyways just to see how it will come out.
Thanks for all the tips though, I'll try to do the grinder trick anyways just to see how it will come out.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,429
Likes: 20
From: Kingston Ontario
I'm also thinking to just replace it, I got an offer for $55 for a good spindle, I'm thinking machine shops around here will at least take $20, for an extra $35 I could have piece of mind that everything will be up to spec and correct.
Thanks for all the tips though, I'll try to do the grinder trick anyways just to see how it will come out.
Thanks for all the tips though, I'll try to do the grinder trick anyways just to see how it will come out.
It's worked for me everytime. Hey, arms are going out today, should be there soon.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Actually, you can just place about three 'slave' nuts locked together on the threaded journal (to spread the load to much of the threaded area)..making sure to leave about 1/8" of the 'outboard' nut above the surface of the spindle...to use as the surface for the hammer. The threads won't be damaged and you won't be beating on the spindle.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,226
Likes: 643
From: Orange County Ca
The messed up part is beyond the area that the nut really grabs onto. Just take off as little a amount of metal as you can. Even a file will work. Check the nut for looseness after running a die over the threads. If the nut is loose, and a new nut isn't any better, then you can replace the spindle.