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I've heard that reconditioning the TAs of my '71 350 coupe requires special tools and an intricate procedure for removing & resetting the bearings and minimizing the runout. Since I only plan on doing this once, I think that's something better left to others that have done it before, so I'll be sending them out. After removing the TAs, the right side spindle is still firmly in place after removing the half-shaft castlenut and flange. That is what I expected after reading posts of the troubles others have had trying to remove the spindles and bearings. The left side is an entirely different story. After removing the castlenut and inner flange, the spindle just dropped out of the bearing carrier! That certainly was surprising...
Here's the inner side of the TA with the flange removed.
When the TA was lifted straight up, it easily slid off and the spindle/hub just stayed on the workbench.
The inner and outer bearings stayed in place but the "spacer"(?) between them is quite loose.
The inner space sleeve can just wobble around. I don't think that's normal...
The spindle hub itself appears worn around half its circumference.
The spindle shaft itself doesn't look too bad.
My guess is that I'll have to replace this spindle.
Anyone have an idea about what would've caused this to happen?
My guess is that the last mechanic that worked on this didn't know what he was doing or just didn't care...
[QUOTE=nwav8tor;1601743237] My guess is that the last mechanic that worked on this didn't know what he was doing or just didn't care...
[QUOTE]
Yeah that about sizes up 95% of the "rebuilt" TA's I have been sent to rebuild.
The axle is probably undersize from someone slip fitting it or previous wear. It is no good and since that is such an obvious mistake who knows what else you will find. There is no inner shield unless you removed it, no sign of grease, the bearings are old they are stamped not etched as they have been the past 20 years.
Mic the axle, it should be 1.188 & 1.376 under that and its a door stop OR you can make a setup tool out of it and build them yourself- you can't do it much worse then that! It is NOT rocket science, the bearings are common, it is just a matter of being able to correctly setup the bearings - there is a window of 001-008 per spec or everyone tells you 002" is the magic number. The real dial-in is to set them up with -0- lateral play and they will live longer then probably most of us on here.
There are some guys who machine the spindles to make them easier to assemble and disassemble. Its a viable technique but you have to make sure to maintain a .002" interference fit. I suspect someone may have been attempting to do this with your spindle and over-did it. The spindle should not drop out like that.
My guess is that the last mechanic that worked on this didn't know what he was doing or just didn't care...
[QUOTE]
Yeah that about sizes up 95% of the "rebuilt" TA's I have been sent to rebuild.
The axle is probably undersize from someone slip fitting it or previous wear. It is no good and since that is such an obvious mistake who knows what else you will find. There is no inner shield unless you removed it, no sign of grease, the bearings are old they are stamped not etched as they have been the past 20 years.
Mic the axle, it should be 1.188 & 1.376 under that and its a door stop OR you can make a setup tool out of it and build them yourself- you can't do it much worse then that! It is NOT rocket science, the bearings are common, it is just a matter of being able to correctly setup the bearings - there is a window of 001-008 per spec or everyone tells you 002" is the magic number. The real dial-in is to set them up with -0- lateral play and they will live longer then probably most of us on here.
Gary,
The TAs themselves have not been rebuilt to my knowledge. The last time the car was on the road was 1989 and I believe the bearings may have been replaced in '80 and/or '85 but the maintenance records don't really specify front or rears in all cases. That apparently checks with the stamped bearings rather than engraved. The shield was there, but I removed it to get the E-brake pins for another forum member and it was still off when the pics were taken.
The axle mics at 1.1890 and 1.3775 using my cheapo HF digital unit.
If those axle measurements are OK, can this still be used if the hub area circled above is ground down for 180* ?
In other words, if you were to rebuild this whole TA, would this be replaced or reused?
It is possible someone polished the ID of the bearings way back 40 years ago, who knows. Your measurement if correct shows a good axle however you can see where the outer bearing spun. If I was working on that axle I would lightly polish it in my lathe and recheck it. A quick "gauge" you can use is simply a new outer/inner bearing. They should not slide onto the axle, they should both require a press fit.
Look at the old bearings, if they are NDH they are original, any other brand is a replacement.
Rear Spindle Damage
