I've installed the front spindles, when I put the front coils in, and the spindles seem to move (fowards and backwards)pretty roughly. I used after market ball joints (eeek) and the spindle went on them with some force, should I take them off and rought out the hole in the spindle, or leave them on and let the were of driving and turning loosen them up. It seems that the steering components will eventually work them in?? Has anyone experienced this, is it normal to have some tightness in the new upper/ lower ball joints. The spindle does move, but you can tell that it is firmly on the b-joints, I put a lubricant on the b-joints the put the splinde on?? Any help is needed. jc
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Re: front spindles?
Chester,
If you need more than pinky finger to move the spindle back and forth I would say that something is binding. DO NOT OPEN BORE ON SPINDLE! Do you hear or feel any grinding? The Ball-joint studs should enter spindle bores with ease. There should only be a small amount of tightening needed to set in place. If you had to hit the spindle to get the threads of ball joint stud to show than I would say there is a problem you need to address before driving. Good luck. -
Re: front spindles?
Chester,
If you need more than pinky finger to move the spindle back and forth I would say that something is binding. DO NOT OPEN BORE ON SPINDLE! Do you hear or feel any grinding? The Ball-joint studs should enter spindle bores with ease. There should only be a small amount of tightening needed to set in place. If you had to hit the spindle to get the threads of ball joint stud to show than I would say there is a problem you need to address before driving. Good luck.Comment
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Re: front spindles?
Chester It sounds like these are not the correct ball joints for your car. Does both top and bottom fit together with the spindle that bad? Like Trebor said the studs should slide effortlessly in to the spindle tapered holes. The castle nut should draw the stud in with very little effort to fully seat the ball joint stud.Comment
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Re: front spindles?
Chester It sounds like these are not the correct ball joints for your car. Does both top and bottom fit together with the spindle that bad? Like Trebor said the studs should slide effortlessly in to the spindle tapered holes. The castle nut should draw the stud in with very little effort to fully seat the ball joint stud.Comment
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Re: front spindles response?
WELL, I just put the passenger side coil in along with the spindle and that side seems to be moving better. I may have the castle nut on too tight.I'll check. Another question: Is there a difference in left to right spindles it's been a while since I worked on the front. Oh, by the way, I'm a loonnnggg way from driving the vette. Still on the frame part, body's done though.Comment
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Re: front spindles response?
WELL, I just put the passenger side coil in along with the spindle and that side seems to be moving better. I may have the castle nut on too tight.I'll check. Another question: Is there a difference in left to right spindles it's been a while since I worked on the front. Oh, by the way, I'm a loonnnggg way from driving the vette. Still on the frame part, body's done though.Comment
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Re: front spindles response?
Chester there is a difference between left and right spindles and IT IS IMPORTANT. I am not sure if there are numbers on them and don't have any of that info here at work. I hope others will be able to provide that info.
From your last post it sounds like you expect there to be rotation between the spindle and the castle nut. That is not the case. The rotation is between the tapered shaft of the ball joint and the stamped metal part that is fastened to the control arm.
It is almost, but not quite, impossible to tightent he castle nut too tight. If you do suceed in tightening it too much you will damage the ball joint beyond repair. There are torque values for this nut given in the Chassis Service Mnaual and/or the Assembly Manual. There are also specific instructions for inserting the cotter pin. PLEASE use a torque wrench for the suspension fasteners. When you can drive your car your life will depend on the proper torque. This is no place to cut corners.
Terry McManmon
TerryComment
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Re: front spindles response?
Chester there is a difference between left and right spindles and IT IS IMPORTANT. I am not sure if there are numbers on them and don't have any of that info here at work. I hope others will be able to provide that info.
From your last post it sounds like you expect there to be rotation between the spindle and the castle nut. That is not the case. The rotation is between the tapered shaft of the ball joint and the stamped metal part that is fastened to the control arm.
It is almost, but not quite, impossible to tightent he castle nut too tight. If you do suceed in tightening it too much you will damage the ball joint beyond repair. There are torque values for this nut given in the Chassis Service Mnaual and/or the Assembly Manual. There are also specific instructions for inserting the cotter pin. PLEASE use a torque wrench for the suspension fasteners. When you can drive your car your life will depend on the proper torque. This is no place to cut corners.
Terry McManmon
TerryComment
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Re: front spindles response?
Terry----
I was unaware that the front spindles were different from side-to-side. For 1968, which uses a one-year-only front spindle, the only part number I am aware of is 3924384. Of course, the steering arms ("dog-bones")are specific as to side.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: front spindles response?
Terry----
I was unaware that the front spindles were different from side-to-side. For 1968, which uses a one-year-only front spindle, the only part number I am aware of is 3924384. Of course, the steering arms ("dog-bones")are specific as to side.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: front spindles response?
Joe is correct the front spindles are the same right and left. The rear spindles are also the same right and left. But the rear spindle support castings are unique rights and lefts. The tie rod assemblies are assembled alike rights and lefts, but it wouldn't make any difference in function.Comment
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Re: front spindles response?
Joe is correct the front spindles are the same right and left. The rear spindles are also the same right and left. But the rear spindle support castings are unique rights and lefts. The tie rod assemblies are assembled alike rights and lefts, but it wouldn't make any difference in function.Comment
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Re: front spindles response?
My apologies. I shot from the hip on that and obviously missed the mark. I will not confuse the issue further by explaining my thought process since it was flawed.
I will, however, stand by my remarks regarding torque. Having the experience of front suspension component disassembly on a car at speed makes one a believer in proper torque values.
Terry McManmon
TerryComment
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Re: front spindles response?
My apologies. I shot from the hip on that and obviously missed the mark. I will not confuse the issue further by explaining my thought process since it was flawed.
I will, however, stand by my remarks regarding torque. Having the experience of front suspension component disassembly on a car at speed makes one a believer in proper torque values.
Terry McManmon
TerryComment
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