spindle castle nut and cotter pin hole

[John G.]

I'm sure this has been asked before. I just couldn't find it in the archives.

I just wrapped up setting the clearance fit on the right rear brand new spindle. The clearance, read with a dial indicator, is .001; torque on the spindle castle nut is 100 ft. lbs. ..

The problem: The cotter pin hole at the spindle end isn't even close, one way or the other, to aligning itself with the castle nut notch through which it runs. The 'castle' itself on the nut is aligned almost dead center with the cotter pin hole.

I could either back off on the nut torque to get things in alignment, or increase the torque waaaay past spec. so the cotter pin can be installed. Either approach doesns't seem right?

What is the best way to fix this? .. Is it acceptable to drill another passageway through the castle nut notch and spindle end so the cotter pin can be installed and the required torque spec. retained? .. There is only one through hole in this new spindle.

TIA ... John

[John H.]

Re: spindle castle nut and cotter pin hole

John -

The Chassis Service Manual shows that as 100 ft-lbs "plus additional torque required to line up cotter pin hole".

[John G.]

Re: spindle castle nut and cotter pin hole

I see I missed it where it says in the '64 Supplement - 'If specified torque does not permit cotter pin insertion, tighten nut to next flat'.

After I thought about it, drilling another hole in the spindle end sounds a bit 'bubbaesque'. I don't think I would have done it! ..

With just one side done, so far, I think I'll try using the other spindle nut and see if it might better align the cotter pin hole and spindle nut flat after torquing to spec. ....

Thanks for the reminder, John!

[Duke W.]

Re: spindle castle nut and cotter pin hole

If you're less than halfway to the next cotter pin placement at 100 lb-ft, dress two or three thou off the under-nut washer and try it again.

Duke

[John G.]

Re: spindle castle nut and cotter pin hole

CRS notwithstanding, that one slipped my mind! .. I remember now you had mentioned about doing this to the front spindle washer to dial in the preload spec. while aligning the cotter pin hole and nut flat.

Thanks for that reminder too, Duke!

[Duke W.]

Re: spindle castle nut and cotter pin hole

Yes at the front dressing the washer will change clearance, but not at the rear where clearance is determined solely by shim thickness; however dressing the rear under-nut washer will require less additional rotation to insert the cotter pin beyond the 100 lb-ft of nut torque if it is less than halfway on the first try.

Duke