less expensive trailing arm tools ??
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: MOBILE AL
less expensive trailing arm tools ??
I Have 3 Corvettes And I Am Going To Rebuild My Own Trailing Arms The Cost Of The Tools Needed Cost Around 500.00 At Ecklers And Mid America Is There Any Other Tools That Wiil Work For Pulling Spindels And Allignment Tools.
I Am A Tool Freak And Love Snap On Tools But I Just Cant See
Paying 500.00 For A Few Tools That Are Used A Couple Of Times
And The Same Tools Would Only Cost You About 100.00 At Harbor Freight If They Had Them.
I Am A Tool Freak And Love Snap On Tools But I Just Cant See
Paying 500.00 For A Few Tools That Are Used A Couple Of Times
And The Same Tools Would Only Cost You About 100.00 At Harbor Freight If They Had Them.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
Only commercial tools I needed was the hydraulic press
and the measurement tools (dial guage and magnetic base from HF)
I used an old spindle with the outer shoulder ground down
to setup the bearings. I made a bearing splitter, but I would
suggest buying one (HF has 'em cheap). You will also need a
bearing packing tool (cheap also). A couple lengths of 1/4"
angle iron, some chunks of 4x4, and the old bearing races
for pressing out/in the bearings.
I borrowed the press, so it ended up costing me less than $50
for all the tools I needed to buy. Find an old spindle to use for
setup. Runout doesn't matter - but you need good threads on the end.
and the measurement tools (dial guage and magnetic base from HF)
I used an old spindle with the outer shoulder ground down
to setup the bearings. I made a bearing splitter, but I would
suggest buying one (HF has 'em cheap). You will also need a
bearing packing tool (cheap also). A couple lengths of 1/4"
angle iron, some chunks of 4x4, and the old bearing races
for pressing out/in the bearings.
I borrowed the press, so it ended up costing me less than $50
for all the tools I needed to buy. Find an old spindle to use for
setup. Runout doesn't matter - but you need good threads on the end.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,000
Likes: 22
From: Boulder Creek California
Originally Posted by Twin_Turbo
Go to ebaymotors and look for seller named bid-quest, he offers set up tools, spindle knockers, spindle presses, install tools and such for very reasonable prices.
-Chris
Pro
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 677
Likes: 5
From: Cary North Carolina
tools that I used to disassemble.
spindle knocker - to remove the spindle from the carrier - $12:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...sPageName=WDVW
BFH (Big F'n Hammer) - to hit the knocker with - $9:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=46823
Bearing Separator- to remove the outer bearing from the spindle - $13:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...temnumber=7343
tools used to set up the new bearings:
Spindle setup tool - worth it's weight in gold - $40:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...sPageName=WDVW
Dial indicator - to check end play - $10:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=33675
Magnetic Base - to support Dial Indicator (the fine adjustment model comes in handy) - $18:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...temnumber=5645
Dial Caliper - to measure shims - $20:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=40926
Once the end play is dialed in:
Bearing Packer - (not necessarily needed but helpful) - $4:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...temnumber=3168
My cousin had a 40 ton press so I pressed the assembly together. If you don't have access to a press you can use a spindle install tool - $35:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...sPageName=WDVW
I think that totals $161 in special tools, or $152 if you already have a big f'n hammer
spindle knocker - to remove the spindle from the carrier - $12:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...sPageName=WDVW
BFH (Big F'n Hammer) - to hit the knocker with - $9:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=46823
Bearing Separator- to remove the outer bearing from the spindle - $13:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...temnumber=7343
tools used to set up the new bearings:
Spindle setup tool - worth it's weight in gold - $40:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...sPageName=WDVW
Dial indicator - to check end play - $10:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=33675
Magnetic Base - to support Dial Indicator (the fine adjustment model comes in handy) - $18:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...temnumber=5645
Dial Caliper - to measure shims - $20:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=40926
Once the end play is dialed in:
Bearing Packer - (not necessarily needed but helpful) - $4:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...temnumber=3168
My cousin had a 40 ton press so I pressed the assembly together. If you don't have access to a press you can use a spindle install tool - $35:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...sPageName=WDVW
I think that totals $161 in special tools, or $152 if you already have a big f'n hammer
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
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
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,727
Likes: 38
From: Fremont CA
Originally Posted by Twin_Turbo
Go to ebaymotors and look for seller named bid-quest, he offers set up tools, spindle knockers, spindle presses, install tools and such for very reasonable prices.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 1
From: New Cumberland PA
I had to bite the bullet and purchase some of the tools: spindle knocker, bearing setup tool, tool to pull the bearings together, and outer bearing puller. I had the dial indicator and magnetic base. I was hoping someone on the forum would help out rent their tools but no one offered. Since I now have the proper tools and may not need them, I would be inclined to rent them out to offset my purchase. I would including everything including old ground down races to knock in the new races. Some members may feel that each of us should buy these tools and others may feel that we should loan them out. Due to the cost and the fact they are something that may only be needed once, I think renting makes a lot of sense.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,727
Likes: 38
From: Fremont CA
Can I borrow your Snap-on torque wrench? I done hit mine with a 10LB hammer and it don't work too well now! I have lent my "spindle" tools out before but won't do it again! My 2 cents on your faith in your fellow man.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: MOBILE AL
Thanks
I Found The Tools On Ebay From Bid-quest The Whole Kit Was 179.00 It Had All Of The Tools Needed Including The Guage
Thanks For All Of The Help It Saved Me Over 300.00 Thats Cool
This Forum Is Great
Thanks For All Of The Help It Saved Me Over 300.00 Thats Cool
This Forum Is Great