Topic: Spindle crack
in Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling
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Moderator
Moses Lake, WA - USA
Joined: 4/16/2005
Posts: 2134
Vette(s): 1976 L48 4-spd, Mahogany Metalic exterior, Buckskin interior 350ci/350hp, 3rd owner, fiberglass spring, 255/50-16's Torq-Thrust II
Well I have been busy on my front end rebuild. After cleaning up the parts I decided to take a close look at everything. I appears that one, the inner bearing race has been rotating and cut a groove in the surface the bearing seats against. Upon a closer look, I found a crack
going around the base of the spindle shaft. Here are a couple of pic's. I hope the crack showes up. Its just a reminder to inspect all parts closely as you work on the vette. Unless you bought the vette new, you never know what its been through.
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Moderator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20226
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Rare, indeed!! I can't remember ever seeing a cracked spindle!
Good job of catching that one!!

Good job of catching that one!!

Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Moderator
Moses Lake, WA - USA
Joined: 4/16/2005
Posts: 2134
Vette(s): 1976 L48 4-spd, Mahogany Metalic exterior, Buckskin interior 350ci/350hp, 3rd owner, fiberglass spring, 255/50-16's Torq-Thrust II
I was sure surprised as well. At first I thought it was just part of the area wore away by the bearing back spinning. The bearing actually cut a trough of about 1/16 of an inch. As I wiped the grease out of the trough I picked up a couple of small slivers. I started looking at it closer and the line was not concentric with the shaft and it was some what jagged. This led me to believe it was a crack. The only other thing I could think of is that the knuckle is a 2 piece weldment and the bearing wore through part of the welded section. Which is making the joint area visible. The other knuckle has a trough as well from the bearing's inner race spinning but not as deep. So it looks like I will be replacing both. Any recommendations were to find them. Mid America has recondition ones and Van Steel has them as well. Van Steel is twice the price so I think there's may be new. The list of parts I will need keeps growing every day.
Maybe I need to take a vacation so the list will stop growing.

in Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling
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