How much spindle wear is acceptable?
 

Just 2,000 miles since the front axle was rebuilt, and I just found some play in the right spindle. It looks like its all in the top bushing. It moves enough to give a click-click, 10-20 thousands or so. So I either over reamed it, or it's not getting enough grease.

Do I wait until it wears more or vibrates? I know in an ideal world it would get replaced now, but the to-do list is already long.

Re: How much spindle wear is acceptable?
 

Are you sure it isn't play in a worn axle eye? Or even a loose cotter pin king pin retainer (cannot think of the correct USA term for it but I don't mean what we limeys call a split pin and you call a cotter pin). My axle eye has an 8 thou split shim to take up slack. Cut to fit around said retainer cotter. It has all stayed tight for 20000 miles so far, despite some criticism from other experts who say I should shrink the axle eye or bore and solid bush it.
SAJ in NZ

Re: How much spindle wear is acceptable?
 

All I know is that the king pin bushings (which sounds what you are describing) there should be no noticeable play. If there is then they need to be replaced. The king pin should be good just the bushing may be bad. I am assuming there are no other issues here as well.

Mike

Re: How much spindle wear is acceptable?
 

I get about 1 inch of movement at the wheel. It's one of the things on my list, I used a reamer/driver tool sold in the 70s, it chattered, they were very tight at first, then got loose quickly, but the car has no bad habits because of it at this moment, got the parts, and sunnen hone, and other higher priority problems, after 50 years since I restored it it is due again for more than just kingpins

Re: How much spindle wear is acceptable?
 

Do you mean you get an inch of play at the tread of the tire? That sounds like a lot, I get less than 1/16" at the tread.

Do you notice any symptom when driving?

Re: How much spindle wear is acceptable?
 

I agree it could be the axle hole. Either way, you need to take it apart and determine what’s worn! You WILL get a death wobble if you keep driving it as is!

Re: How much spindle wear is acceptable?
 

Yes 1 inch at tire, drives , brakes normal, stable at 60, normal tire wear, but on rough roads I can tell it is too loose and trying to think about death wobble

Re: How much spindle wear is acceptable?
 

What is death wobble? Some kind of resonance?

Re: How much spindle wear is acceptable?
 

When the front end parts get worn, the front wheels will shake so hard that your false teeth will fall out! If you have it, you know it!!!🤓

Re: How much spindle wear is acceptable?
 

Between king pin and bushing you should have about .001 clearance.
One inch at the tire tread is way loose and could be from the inner and outter wheel bearings or the tapered pin has not been driven in tight to hold the king pin tight in the axle or loose lug nuts.
Al

Re: How much spindle wear is acceptable?
 

Lots of wear can be got by with if the toe in is correct . Toe in keeps the wheels going in a straight line . Toe out will set up a shimmy at certain speeds and conditions that is often referred to as death wobble . Once the shimmy begins , any looseness in the front end will contribute to death wobble . Correct toe in should be one sixteenth . A weak front spring will cause shimmy , so can under inflated rear tires .

Re: How much spindle wear is acceptable?
 

Seems like the question might be what type of reamer did you use? Is it a 2 stage reamer specifically made for King Pins? If not, chances are the two bushings in the spindle were not reamed in the same plane or along the same center axis. This would cause the likely scenario of wear occurring over a short period of usage.

Focus on the logical issues involved in work you just performed before worrying about other front end issues. Your issue is a prematurely worn upper bushing on one spindle. I agree with others that you might be noticing movement of the king pin in the axle but, if you rule that out, why is this bushing showing wear so soon after servicing?

Bob Bader

Re: How much spindle wear is acceptable?
 

MisterMoose _ I am in the process of getting my spindles reworked (bushings) only to find that the axle is egg shaped, but before taking it apart I was convinced it was the spindle bushings! As to you comment of the top bushing not getting enough grease, I too was thinking the same thing. I actually have been thinking of drilling the upper spindle/bushing and installing a grease zerk fitting

Re: How much spindle wear is acceptable?
 

Mr. Moose are referring to the steering wheel ?

Re: How much spindle wear is acceptable?
 

No, not the steering wheel.

It's too long ago to be sure, but I would guess I used a relatively inexpensive reamer, or no reamer at all. They were not done by a shop or honed. I did the front axle in 1980, then got involved in work, got the car restored and on the road in 98-99, and have put 1,700 miles on it. I'm sure I made an amateur mistake of some kind.

I'll try to get a short video of the visible play up in the next week, maybe that will help.