inner wheel bearing race spun on and fused to front right spindle leaving deep groove

[superbee_68]

Working on a 1967 Plymouth Belvedere with four wheel drums.

I redid the brakes all the way around and changed the wheel bearings, races, and seals while I was there. The car rolled from the shop, on the trailer, off the trailer to a muffler shop, back on the trailer, then back in the shop. In that short period of time, it appears as if the right front inner wheel bearing race has spun on the spindle and worn a pretty serious groove in the spindle and the bearing. I have done this rebuild a bunch of times and never had an issue. I guess I'm lucky I pulled it back apart to change the brake adjusters and discovered the problem.

Is the spindle ruined? Where can I get another and what should I pay for another spindle? How can I prevent this from happening again? Any help and advice is much appreciated.

 

[badmopar67]

We need to see some pics of the spindle after you get the bearing race unseized and not a problem getting another spindle setup in fact I got a complete set from the spindles out in my garage off over my 67 coronet so me or somebody else on here can get you back up and running

 

[miller]

I do have a suggestion for you, getting the spun race off. Use a cut-off wheel, cutting through the race in line with the spindle. Doing that will relieve the race, use a chisel to finish the split, and it should come off. If you have to, cut opposite sides.

I learned the hard way. Home from work, had a spun inner race, and was using a steel drift to try to get it off. Wasn't room in the wheel well to use my face shield. One lousy spark. It hit my eye. Long story short, yeah, I have only one eye.

 

[daredevil]

Ouch! Cant argue with that advice. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Moparparts]

I have a spindle and hub if you don't get fixed up and need one PM me

 

[Cranky]

Yup, hammering on any kind of a metal and especially something hard like a bearing race is dangerous to the eyes. Always wear eye protection....

 

[miller]

There is one fix on the spindle, if you want to go that way. It would depend on how bad the spindle was damaged, or the amount of heat it took. You can look into a stainless steel bearing sleeve. We're talking about just the axle surface the bearing race sits on, only the fit.
You would clean up the existing surface, to the needed size, and the sleeve is pressed into place, making a new surface for the inner race to sit on.

But, it's just an option on fixing it. You said you changed out the bearings, races, and seals. Wonder if you might of mixed your bearing sets? That is a no-no. They must be kept together.

Does sound like you've already gotten the race off, right? I know I'll never try it again, without a race puller. Yeah, I'm correcting myself on cutting the race off. I've paid for that once.

 

[Jonnyuma]

I do have a suggestion for you, getting the spun race off. Use a cut-off wheel, cutting through the race in line with the spindle. Doing that will relieve the race, use a chisel to finish the split, and it should come off. If you have to, cut opposite sides.

I learned the hard way. Home from work, had a spun inner race, and was using a steel drift to try to get it off. Wasn't room in the wheel well to use my face shield. One lousy spark. It hit my eye. Long story short, yeah, I have only one eye.

Eye protection with the cutoff wheel too. Goes without saying...but there, I said it anyway.

 

[miller]

Eye protection with the cutoff wheel too. Goes without saying...but there, I said it anyway.

Thanks for reminding me. Happened 30 years ago. Things happen.
Sometimes economics gets in the way, or bad timing. That sleeve bit is how I fixed my spindle, on a 77 Cordoba. Flat couldn't afford another spindle.

Hopefully Superbee_68 has gotten things going on his deal, by now.

 

[superbee_68]

Quick update for y'all, another member here is sending me another spindle and hub just in case my hub is damaged or distorted as well. I'll get new bearings, races, and seal for the new hub. I should be up and running again soon. I hope this restoration is done fighting me because I am so ready to drive this thing down the road for the first time. Thanks for the help and advice guys.

 

[mcmlvii]

right front inner wheel bearing race has spun on the spindle

Reminds me of the time I was driving my brother in law's Dodge 100 van one time. Zipping along minding my own business and the left front wheel started pulling and making a racket. It would go away, then come back. I knew I needed to pull over as soon as I could. By the time I had a place to turn off, the wheel bearing had welded to the spindle. As I recall we did a spindle change in the parking lot (it was 30 years ago).

Long story short, yeah, I have only one eye.

Wow, sorry Miller. I'm not in the same boat but I'm wearing hearing aids now because of a situation 25 years ago of not wearing personal protection. Almost lost an eye in the incident too but didn't. All you young kids out there, be careful. Now back to your regularly scheduled thread...

 

[miller]

Yeah, roger that, mcmlvii. No prob, I've been living with it half my life. Hehe, the hearing bit...surprised I can hear! I do hear ringing in my ears, 24-7, probably cause of all the radial engines I overhauled nearly 20 years. Ha! They are loud, but I love the sound of good music.

There ya go, superbee_68...get that baby doll back up.