Spindle help

southkogs

southkogs

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Re: Spindle help

Okay, so I at least qualify as a BIG girl :D. I got the race off without any additional grinding. A few good whacks with a real hammer and a cold chisel and it slid off (did not break). Here's what's underneath:

Spindle 9.jpg
Spindle 10.jpg
Spindle 8.jpg

Based on Dingbat's post - even if I'm going to blow through rear seals for a little bit it the trailer safe for local towing? I might have to deal with substandard for a little while until I can locate/afford the right axle for this mug.

I can see the groove up front that was mentioned, but I don't know what kind of shape I'm in otherwise.

Thanks again everyone.
 
D

dlngr

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Re: Spindle help

Try dressng the scored areas where the races go-maybe you can save it enough to use for LOW speed local towing.[Dress them with a file and then polish with emery cloth,then try to slip the races on.]The races need to be a slip fit,or at most a slight tap with a small hammer to position them,,but with no slop when they are in position.
 
F

fishrdan

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Re: Spindle help

That axle look pretty hammered, but I think it can be saved as it looks like there are sections of virgin machined surface that you can file down to. I'd be really concerned with the seal surface as it looks beaten up, you'll need to file it level, then install a Speedi Sleeve.
 
smokeonthewater

smokeonthewater

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Re: Spindle help

bah it's FINE... work it with emery cloth... not a sheet but a roll.... take a 2-3 foot piece and work it in a sawing motion.... take the high spots off the race that way and work the seal surface till it's smooth.... You can then try it with a new seal and I'd say you have about an 85% chance that it'll work perfect OR you can get a speedy sleeve as mentioned above.... the races don't HAVE to be a slip fit... they can be pressed or driven on.... the key is not damaging them when installing.... the old race is a good tool to tap the new one on.

dressed properly this axle will do ya for many years.
 
U

UncleWillie

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Re: Spindle help

Now that you are a hammer expert,;)...
I am sure you are a polishing expert already so this is only for the others that read the thread that have never used emery cloth to clean up a shaft. ;)

If you cannot find emery cloth by the roll, get a couple of sheets and cut off strips 12 inches long and as wide as the area you are trying to clean up.

If you are old enough to remember when we used to shine shoes with polish and a cloth, you have the technique already.
For the tennis shoe generation ... grab one end of the strip and pass it up from one side of the bearing area, over the top, and down the other side.
Grab each end with a hand and alternately pull down each end in a sawing/buffing/polishing action.
This will only polish one side of the shaft at a time, so constantly keep changing directions.
Polish the Top, Bottom, left and Right Sides. Now try to fit the bearing. Repeat as necessary.
This is going to take a while if it is really bad. But it really looks good when you are done.
Change the strips often. They will only last a few minutes if you are lucky.

This is the part where I would normally say something like "Polish it like you've got a pair", or "You're not really working unless you draw blood", But I am not going to say that. :p
 
southkogs

southkogs

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Re: Spindle help

Alrighty, pending any new information on a cheaper axle I'm going with the "fix-it" route. We'll be driving locally with it this year anyway. I'll commence to "polishin'" later on this week (got a few meetings in the way in the next couple of days), and get it put back together. I've got a few other little jobs to do on it while I've got it on stands, so maybe by the weekend I'll have it all back together.

Thanks y'all.

Smoke & Willie - I'll try to post pictures of the blood for verification ;)
 
J

Jeff-in-PA

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Re: Spindle help

Go to the local hardware store and purchase a brand new flat file in either smooth or second cut. You will also need some emery cloth ( metal cutting sandpaper ) in 120, 240 and maybe 320 grits.

Trailer-Spindle.jpg


You have hammer marks ( in red ) and galling ( in green ) that must be removed/smoothed out. Take the file, lay it flat on the area to be smoothed and move forward and around the spindle at the same time.

Lift the file up when you are done the cut. Do NOT drag it backwards over the spindle ( it will dull the cutting edges ). Look as you file, is your pressure even from edge to edge? Are you making flat spots by going forward too much without going around the spindle? look at the shiny spots to read how you are making the file cut. You can go from one side and then the other.

As the file cuts, metal will get in the teeth. Use a hand held wirebrush parallel with the teeth to clean it.

Continue working your way around the spindle until you have a uniform finish. Then put the emery cloth on the file itself and go around some more to improve the finish.

Jeff
 
smokeonthewater

smokeonthewater

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Re: Spindle help

more gooder....... Make sure that the surface where the seal rides is PERFECTLY smooth..... don't leave one bit of texture you can detect with your fingernail
 
Allbutwet

Allbutwet

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Re: Spindle help

Considering what you started with southkogs. That looks pretty good. Like smokeonthewater says just make sure there are no more high spots. And as far as the grease seal goes if you go to Napa with your old seal they should be able to hook you up with a skf or other brand with a wear sleeve that will cover the remainder of the blemish on the seal surface allowing the new seal to seal properly. And you'll be almost good as new.
 
southkogs

southkogs

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Re: Spindle help

Rock on!! I'll do a little more cleaning, and check that surface area before I close up.

Thanks guys - Jeff, Smoke & Lipp, appreciate the advice. UncleWillie - thanks for pushing me to hammer like a BIG girl.

Wonder what the other side looks like ... hmmmmmmm ... :rolleyes:
 
southkogs

southkogs

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Re: Spindle help

Yeah, I was planning on it and already have the other side off the ground and ready. Haven't taken the hub off yet though.

I don't think it'll be as bad, honestly.
 
hungupthespikes

hungupthespikes

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Re: Spindle help

shouthkogs, You did good for the first time, nice job. The bearing surfaces look good to go. The seal area is another matter. You took alot of metal off and a uniform diameter is questionable. A Speedi Sleeve would be cheap insurance for the seal on a long haul.
huts
 
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