Does anyone know where I could find direct spindle replacements for a 59 Chevy truck (3b)? I oddly cannot find any online and that’s terrifying. Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
It's not a part that would be reproduced. You'll have to find good used ones, if you really need new spindles. What is the problem with yours?
Well after installing these after market disc brakes (new aluminum hubs) it comes with a “inner race/adaptor” and it’s spinning with the bearings and rotor. It goes on first and slid on pretty easy. I’m quite sure that it’s suppose to be a very snug fit, that would not allow it To rotate with the whole wheel. That’s why I’m ***uming the spindles have milled themselves down over the last 60 years. Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
You can inspect and measure the spindle to see if it looks/measures to be worn. Also, talk to the folks you got the kit from, ask what they expect the adapter to fit like. Is it snug as you are installing it, but loosens up when it seats all the way on? The spindle will only wear in the area where the original inner bearing race contacts it, and this wear, if there, is usually very noticeable, and you can feel it with your finger. Years ago I installed a brake kit from ECI and they used press fit adapters, no issues like that.
Am I understanding that the inner race goes on the spindle rather than pressed into the back of the hub in this application? Phil
I think he is talking about the race to adapt a bearing with a bigger inner hole and seal surface. use green lock tight.
I am sure glad Squirrel is on here. Otherwise I would say something wrong and he does get things right.
Go to Caterpillar and get a bottle of bearing mount. It will hold that adapter sleeve in place. If you ever want to remove it you will have to apply heat.
My dads a machinist. He would machine the spindle then machine a sleeve. Warm up the sleeve and slide it on. Another possibility would be to clean up the spindle and machine an adapter with a smaller ID The adapters I have installed in the past have fit snug on the spindle. But with all the s10 and other swaps going on used spindle should be easy to find.
Weld it and machine it to fit. get a speedy sleeve to fit. green bearing retainer lock tight. any pics of what your doing? Aluminumiumnum Rotors ?
Loc***e can only bridge so much of a gap and hold effectively. Knurl or ***** mark the surface where the adapter goes and use loc***e.
If the spindle seems to small diameter , punch all the way around , then clean and JB Weld the adapter in place . If the spindle seems to large for the adapter to fit , sand the spindle surface , sand or turn the ID of the adapter heat it and use a piece of tubing to drive it into place . I have installed a few of these in the past , thinking there is no way it will fit . Take your time and do what’s needed it will be fine . All of the adapters I have installed required heat and a piece of tubing and a few raps with a hammer to fully seat them on the spindle .
Ya, knural where the adaptor goes, but I'd measure my spindle, and then measure the sleeve, then contact who you bought it from and see whats up.
No one makes replacement spindles for these trucks with the I beam axle as there isn't a big enough market to make it pay. The redneck knurl job with a punch may put the bearing slightly off center on the spindle. Best would be to have them metal sprayed and machined back to proper specs. Not cheap but a pretty job shop bearing surface on a shaft job. I used to have that done a lot on shafts for equipment in the fruit juice plant I worked in as the juice and wash downs to clean the machines ate up the bearings even when they were greased every day.
Yep, as has been stated.....center punch marks all the way around and green bearing retaining lock***e.....
As per " Mr48chev " or have the spindle turned down smooth then a new press fit adapter made. Do it once , do it properly.
Sorry for not replying, been bowed up at work all week. Here’s a picture of the hubs for those asking about them. They are pretty nice and come with the deluxe brake package, they each weigh 4 lbs. I’m upgrading to disc because they are more reliable and after dropping in this 454, I’m a lot more heavy in the front end, I wanted a duel master for my application, I drive my 59 a lot and in a lot if places where most people don’t know how to drive. Thanks for all the information and suggestions . My spindles are about .020 smaller that spec, so I’m going to try the loc***e method, and If that doesn’t work I’ll have to mill my own adaptor. Should be all set Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
"My spindles are about .020 smaller that spec, so I’m going to try the loc***e method, and If that doesn’t work I’ll have to mill my own adaptor." .020 is quite a gap to seal, when the adapter sleeves should clearly be an interference/press fit. Back to Squirrel's question. Are the spindles worn? If not, a replacement spindle will present the same .020 cir***stance and I'd be looking at the adapter sleeves as being turned out too large. Did you buy the brake kit new? If so, i'd reach out to them to see about them furnishing a replacement pair of correct size sleeves-so long as you're positive your spindles mic out to factory spec.
Yeah the brake kit is new, and cpp actually has sent me another set of adaptor sleeves, same issue. They don’t have any noticeable slop, but they do spin with the hub and rotor, once I get the castle nut appropriately set. I think the loc***e will be a substantial solution considering my issue. If that doesn’t work, Luckily, I have a couple of machinist buddies that can mill me a tighter tolerance adaptor sleeve
Make a new bearing adapter would be the best option. Mine were steel and they pressed on, warmed them up with a torch first. The .020 thing is quite a gap, if it was just not pressing on, I would drill and pin the adapter to the spindle.
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