68 Front Spindle Sizing Question

[Dan M.]

When I tore down my 68 Conv I noticed that the front spindles (both sides) were heavily blued from the prior owner. I assumed front wheel bearings were not properly serviced in its prior life. I was given a new set of front spindles but from a 69 and up configuration. Now as I get close to installing them I am questioning now whether I would be better off to go with the 69 and up configuration spindles or find another set of the 68 and prior vintage.

Wheel hub sizing aside (I have two of either size hub I need), what are anyones' thoughts on whether I should stay with the correct older size front spindles vs going with the newer configuration with the larger bearing size. What's the gain with the newer config? I am not looking to go motocrossing or anything, just street driving. Does the fact my earlier spindles were both blued tell me they are undersized or just poorly serviced?

[Dick W.]

Re: 68 Front Spindle Sizing Question

Dan, there was a good reason for the General changing spindle size, to increase both mass and bearing area. The difference between the two spindles cannot be determined until you remove the inner bearing and check the size. Given the choice of the two, I would opt for the '69 up, just due to the strength.

[Bill M.]

Re: 68 Front Spindle Sizing Question

I think the bearings were upsized due to the 15 X 8 wheels introduced for 1969. The wheels put a lot more load on the outer bearing than the '63 - '68 wheels.

I would be uncomfortable with spindles that got so hot they turned blue.

[Dan M.]

Re: 68 Front Spindle Sizing Question

Bill

Agreed. Reusing the removed spindles was not an option for me. I was replacing the spindles either way but wanted feedback on whether to go with the same config (size spindle) or the upgraded larger size that came out in 1969.

[Joe L.]

Re: 68 Front Spindle Sizing Question

When I tore down my 68 Conv I noticed that the front spindles (both sides) were heavily blued from the prior owner. I assumed front wheel bearings were not properly serviced in its prior life. I was given a new set of front spindles but from a 69 and up configuration. Now as I get close to installing them I am questioning now whether I would be better off to go with the 69 and up configuration spindles or find another set of the 68 and prior vintage.

Wheel hub sizing aside (I have two of either size hub I need), what are anyones' thoughts on whether I should stay with the correct older size front spindles vs going with the newer configuration with the larger bearing size. What's the gain with the newer config? I am not looking to go motocrossing or anything, just street driving. Does the fact my earlier spindles were both blued tell me they are undersized or just poorly serviced?

Dan------


The 1968 spindles were a one-year-only piece, so you can't really use earlier spindles without changing other parts. The 1968 spindles were sort of a "hybrid". They used the 63-67 spindle size, but used 17/32" steering arm hole size of the 1969 and later design. In fact, I think there was also a slight configurational difference other than spindle size and steering arm hole size between C2 and C3 spindles, although I've never been able to confirm that.

However, I would recommend using the 1969+ spindles. This is a much stronger design and, with the rally wheel caps on, no one will know the difference (caps don't have to be removed for judging).

You will, of course, also need the 1969+ rotor hubs (or, complete rotor and hub assemblies) as well as the 1969+ bearings and seal.

You will also need to use the 69+ front rotor backing plates and the 69+ front bearing hub caps.

You can re-use your caliper brackets, steering arms and steering arm-to spindle bolts.