Spindle and rotor question

[Johnny]

Installed my front wheels, and grabbed bottom and top of tire, pushed in and out. Question: How much play should there be on the spindle? It does move very little. I just need to know if there should be a little movement or should be zero movement.

Thanks, guys

 

[2old2fast]

"IF" your whl. bearings are good ,and adjusted properly, their should be very little play wheel to spindle, should be almost none ,kingpin to spindle. hope that helps, dave

 

[Johnny]

Dave,
Thank you very much. I will do some adjusting for sure. I didn't think there should be any movement, but I wanted someone on here to confirm.

 

[Old Rotor Flap]

I used to wash the wheel bearings and spindle bearing surfaces with parts washer.... aka; gasoline (old guys who ran fuel cars called gasoline parts washer).

I'd then install everthing, adjust the bearing nut and wiggle the wheels/tires. Then I'd make some mark on the spindle nut (we didn't have Magic Markers then), disassemble and pack the bearings and re-assemble all.

After a rotation or two. I recall that I would then back the nut off one flat... or ... ?? ...... OK, I don't really recall........

(should I post this? After all, I've had a glass of wine and I know Lee knows IPUTI - Oh, what the heck, Fly the Big Ones.)

 

[ellis8500]

You really shouldn't feel any noticable play if everything is tight and within specs. There should be no play at all between the rotor and the spindle. There might be some at the kingpin if there is some wear there. But, if you can feel the tire moving then there is too much looseness somewhere. Just my opinion. Let the experts chime in and educate us.

 

[T-Test]

You really shouldn't feel any noticable play if everything is tight and within specs. There should be no play at all between the rotor and the spindle. There might be some at the kingpin if there is some wear there. But, if you can feel the tire moving then there is too much looseness somewhere. Just my opinion. Let the experts chime in and educate us.

I had this problem last year. checked wheel bearings and kingpin bushings, all good. Found that the axle was worn where the kingpin went thru the axle. Tried to fix the axle and found it real hard to solidly bolt the axle down at the correct angle to drill and rebush. Just got another axle that was not worn out. This was my first time ever finding an original axle worn in this place, "kingpin boss", in about 50 buckets that I've built in the last 35 yrs or so.

 

[stretch]

Similar to Old Rotor Flap, I load the bearings and install them loosely enough that the wheel spins fast & free. Then I tighten the bearings down till the wheel doesn't move at all, then back off to just where it starts to spin freely. That's usually the "nut."

Frank

 

[Allen]

I do the same thing!!--kegt

 

[one finger john]

I had this problem last year. checked wheel bearings and kingpin bushings, all good. Found that the axle was worn where the kingpin went thru the axle. Tried to fix the axle and found it real hard to solidly bolt the axle down at the correct angle to drill and rebush. Just got another axle that was not worn out. This was my first time ever finding an original axle worn in this place, "kingpin boss", in about 50 buckets that I've built in the last 35 yrs or so.

If the wheel bearings are ball bearings, a little less than "snug" would be appropriate. If roller bearings I believe a little more than snug will do the trick.

Bpickett, do you have any pictures of the Ts that show the style changes thru the years?

John