spindle bearing

[Don S]

Does the spindle bearing on 48 ford go on the top of the axel or on the bottom shelf of the axel. Model A is on top. Thanks

[PeteVS]

Pretty sure that it goes between the bottom of the axle and the top of the bottom boss on the spindle. That way, the weight of the car is transmitted from the axle to the spindle as compression forces on the bearing. I think that the cars with rod type brakes have the bearing on top of the top boss on the spindle and the load is carried through the kingpin which would be in tension. If that was tried with the later kingpins, the force would just rip off the washer which is staked on the top of the king pin. Make sense?? Correct me if I'm wrong.

[Don S]

I did the conversion 20 years ago. There is a little movement when the top and bottom of the backing plate are push/pulled.

[Talkwrench]

on the bottom as it takes some load, the shims go on the top, Im quoting for a 35 axle here as Ive just done one and I assume all beams are similar in design. You will need a proper line reamer to do the bushes, and steady as she goes..bit by bit. If you can get the soild not split type bushes they would be better seem to be smoother.

[Don S]

Thanks for the info,good thing its winter. Cheers

[PeteVS]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Originally Posted by Don S

I did the conversion 20 years ago. There is a little movement when the top and bottom of the backing plate are push/pulled.

I'm not sure about this amount of wear, but I'd say (off the top of my head) that if you have 1/8" or more slop at the top and bottom of the TIRE, you're going to be experiencing front end problems such as shimmy or tire wear. There have been several discussions here regarding replacement of the bushings, reaming vs honing, etc. Try doing a search.

[31chevy]

My understanding that they were on top thru 1934 & changed in 35 correct me if I'm wrong, here is a picture of my 34 when original. A friend of mine who has a 47 was here at the time I was assembling mine & said I had it wrong, fortunatley I had taken pictures as I surely would not have remembered.
Gary.

[Mart]

My understanding is that the bearing position moved for the 37 spindles, so 32-36 have the bearing above. If using 37-up spindles on earlier axles, use the kingpin kit that matches the spindle.

The same applies to model A, but I have no experience before 32.

Mart.

[PeteVS]

32Chevy:
Thanks for the photo. I don't recall having seen that arrangement (other than having torn one apart fifty some years ago.) Obviously, there's no room for the bushing between the spindle bosses, so that's the only place it can go and be on top of one of the spindle bosses. It relies on the good strong integral "head" on the top of the kingpin to carry the weight.

[Don S]

Sorry for the delay in answering,I am also on the west coast,making it that much longer. I rechecked the movement,holding the top and bottom of the backing plate there is only a click sound.Hardly any movement. I wonder if a shim would work on the top of the pin?

[Don S]

To add to my response, the tires show no signs of uneven wear, with 7 years of use. I do get that sideway bounce when hitting a bump on the road. I have now gone through all the joints and steering box to tighten things up. The pitman arm bolt was a touch loose,is now replaced with new.The last to final are the spindels.

[PeteVS]

If you're getting a sideways jostle when you hit a bump, that's probably "bump steer." It occurs when your drag link isn't parallel to the line from the wishbone ball to the spindle centerline. If they both move through an arc during the bump and the arcs aren't quite tha same, it will give you the effect of a push or a pull from the drag link, which means that that there's a bit of unintended steering happening. Make sense??

[Don S]

More checking to do.I appreciate your combined thoughts