Spindle stuck

[coach-frank]

Can't get the spindle off the steering knuckle on my dana 44, 79 vintage. Any tricks to this, been thru 2 cans of pentrant, won't budge. I have the dana out of the vehicle, was going to change all bearings and ball joints and gear swap.

[Kris]

Yep, they can be a PITA.
If the knuckle is off the housing, try hitting it from behind. If not, just tap it from all angles and eventually it will come off.
Be sure to not hit the threads or bearing surface. If you damage them, you got bigger problems.
smile.gif
kris.

[nxcj]

I use an old spindle nut. Screw it on part way and beat on it. As Kris said; hit it from all angles and watch the threads. I've also used a chunk of wood to hit against too. It'll blow apart, but will protect the threads.
Haven't had one beat me yet...

[River Beast]

A good 360 beating always did the trick for me...

the best tool for this is a deadblow mallet.... I have a 10lber~~~ :D

[2ndtimearround]

Use a spindle puller:

http://www3.sympatico.ca/larryx007/spindle_new_size.JPG

They are available from Snap On and attach to a standard slide hammer. Mine fits D30, D44 and D60s spindles.

It your damage the thread on the spindle, Snap On sells a spindle re-threader too.

I can pull rusted spindes off in about 4-7 hits. Great at U-Pull-Its for getting knuckles and axles shafts. BTW the D44s in the picture where from a FSJ that was in a junk yard exposed to salt air for about 7 years. The spindles came off in about 8 hits.

Part numbers for both are in this thread:
http://www.ifsja.org/cgi-bin/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=014981

Lawrence

[ March 01, 2003, 09:20 AM: Message edited by: 2ndtimearround ]

[Bombadier]

that's what i'me about to go do. Pep-boys has pullers for rent..... I don't think i'll have to much of a problem taking the spindles off.... but that's what my BFH and LFH are for.... just in case.
Thanks for the info on that snap-on... what's the part# on that one? i was about to order a slidehammer from somewhere.

[ March 01, 2003, 09:36 AM: Message edited by: Bombadier ]

[andy d]

i use a masons block chisel. i come in from the side. coupla taps,and pry a little. then i switch to a stanley wonder bar. slide hammer looks like a nice tool though.

[Bombadier]

correction. this spindle is a bear....

http://www.fullsizejeeps.com/jeeps/files/Parts-Junkyards/shieldspindle.jpg

I finally got the brake back-plate & dustshield off, after much prying and pounding. Now i'm to the bare spindle, and i've been alternately spraying, prying, pounding and using a slide hammer to break it loose.

fun fun smile.gif

[Bombadier]

i noticed this as well.....

http://www.fullsizejeeps.com/jeeps/files/Parts-Junkyards/frame.jpg

this isn't good, is it. i figure it happened when the wagoneer got hit, but the bodyshop put it on the frame straightener?....

And here's where i'm stuck. Torched it a few times, still no go.

http://www.fullsizejeeps.com/jeeps/files/Parts-Junkyards/spindle.jpg

[ March 01, 2003, 03:34 PM: Message edited by: Bombadier ]

[coach-frank]

Thanks Guys!! Tried to get the socket in town nobody had it , bought a 8lb. dead blow, put the nut back on and wacked away, it came off. The other side came off real easy. Now to the ball joints I go. Thanks again! Coach Frank

[Bombadier]

lucky! :mad: :mad: :mad:

I've been trying to pull this one spindle since noon today. It ain't budged yet.
Now i gotta call it a night, and throw it all back together so i can move the truck.....

That spindle is almost welded on there from corrosion.

[Bombadier]

This one has still got me hangin'.....

Can i just tear off the front knuckles?

I don't see how them spindles could be that stuck on there! :mad: :mad: :mad:

Great Googley MoogleyGreat Googley MoogleyGreat Googley Moogley gives????

[andy d]

uhhmn, my method with the chisel has never failed me. i had hubs off 1/2 dozen times on various jeeps. if you dont have a masons chisel, use a cold chisel,just dont use a wood chisel. if you stay outside of the studs, you should be fine. if you raise some metal, file it down. once its up on one edge,use a pry bar , a big screwdriver, a lug wrench, to work it off the studs.

[Bombadier]

that's the thing.... i've spent two days with various cold chisels, peen hammer, slide hammer, and acetylene. And my 12lb BFH.....

At this point, i figure the studs will snap before the spindle comes off.....

After looking at it, i might as well just rebuild the steering gear anyways.

[talntar]

put the nuts back on te studs and knock them out.now theyare out of the way and you can swing better.i used a "pickle" fork and a big hammer still took me two days till i used the fork

[BMB]

Never tried it myself, but I've heard of putting a long (5' or so) piece of tight fitting pipe over the spindle and popping them loose.

BMB

[Bombadier]

Groovy, picked up two knuckles, new U-joints and two spindles for just over $100.....

Problem is, on one of the 'yard spindles, the bearing surface is slightly gouged.....

Can spindles be turned smooth??

[orangecherokee]

my suggestion is that you should take your two best and then put them to the side, this is of course assuming you have two good ones already off. then beat the absolute poo out of it until it breaks free!! then chunk the bad one and put the new (well somewhat new) on there and you'll be off to the races or wherever you might be heading.

[2ndtimearround]

Originally posted by Bombadier:
that's the thing.... i've spent two days with various cold chisels, peen hammer, slide hammer, and acetylene. And my 12lb BFH.....

At this point, i figure the studs will snap before the spindle comes off.....

After looking at it, i might as well just rebuild the steering gear anyways.So the spindle puller socket DID NOT work?
Never heard of that happening before....

Lawrence

[Bombadier]

Nope, the spindle puller socket did not work.....

So now, after three days of swearing, pounding and prying, we finally got the spindles off. Pulled the axleshafts out, the u-joints were kinda stiff (nasty lookin' too), but this is the kicker......

Both spindle bearings were good!?!?!?!? :mad: :mad: :mad:

That was the whole reason i started this job, to replace those caged needle bearings!

The axleshaft had so much play in it, it was jiggling around in the spindle and the little c-clip on the end of the axleshaft was catching on the locking-hub clutch gear, causing a severely annoying ratcheting sound....

AND.....

We went and bought two "new" spindles and two "new" steering knuckles.....
Turns out we didn't even need the two extra spindles.....

But the "new" knuckles and ball-joints were in better shape than the ones on the truck, so i pulled the knuckles off and Linz gave the new ones and our dust-covers a thorough cleaning and fresh coat of black paint.

It's all going back together tomorrow, we've got to have a shop get the u-joints out of the axle-shaft yokes because the old ones are rust-welded in place.....

The thing is, this should've been a four hour, tops, job...... And it's lasted three %@&!(%ing days.....

I'm taking lots of pics of the whole procedure for anybody who wants to see em, and i'll post a few for reference for those who have never removed steering knuckles.

[2ndtimearround]

Well first time for everything, a spindle puller not working. I guess you cannot believe those snake oil salesmen. :D

Those spindles must have really been rust welded. I guess it could be the Florida coastal weather that made the difference.

Good to see that you got them both off. As for the needle bearings since you went to so much work you should replace them.

Great to see that you are going to post some pictures.

Lawrence

[ March 05, 2003, 05:22 AM: Message edited by: 2ndtimearround ]