The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Bad Spindle

So I was working on my truck today trying to button up the engine install but had to wait on parts so I decided to work on the front end while I wait. My plan was to give everything a good greasing because all four corners are on jack stands, adjust brakes, and re-torque the wheel bearings. Pulled out the trusted torque wrench and got to work. Passenger side went well, but not so lucky on the drivers side. Started torqueing the castle nut and just about when I was expecting a click I felt the nut give. Backed it back off to look things over and I find the threads on the spindle are bad. I don't know how I did not notice this before because I have had the whole front end apart about a year ago. Anyway the threads are beyond repair by any means that I am familiar with. I have no choice except finding a replacement spindle. My question is this: I had the king pins replaced about a year ago, they have less than 500 miles on them. The truck is a 53 3100 and if I remember right they are not pressed in. Will I be able to salvage the king pin and bushings to put into the replacement spindle? Some times it seems we take one step forward and two backwards on these old trucks, but I try not to compline. I would much rather find bad threads on a spindle while the truck is in my shop instead on the highway as my wheel passes me up.

Likely the kingpins are OK, not worn. Bushings might be easier,or as easy, to just replace while you have it apart.

If you haven't thought of how to replace bushings I recommend fixing them in the spindles on the 1/2 tons, instructions here:
Kingpin Instructions

What did you torque the spindle nut to? Only 33ft lb prior to backing it off for proper wheel bearing adjustment?
http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/shop/1948_51truck/51ctsm0307.htm

Grigg

The king pins and bushings are new in my current axle, I was wondering if I they would be able to be removed and placed into the replacement spindle without damaging them.
The damage to the thread was not due to the amount of torque that was applied. I had the proper torque set on my wrench at 33#. The only thing I can think of is last year when I took the axle out and had new kingpins put in, they somehow messed up the threads. I guess that I did not see the damage when I installed it last year. I was just going through it today with some preventive maintenance.

Are you certain that the spindle threads are bad, or could it be the nut? If this seems to be a stupid question, no worries. I have been called worse.

It is defentally the spindle threads. A portion of them appear to be smashed. I don't think chasing them with a die would even help.

Carl's question was well worth asking. A good used spindle/knuckle is hard to find. NOS replacements rarely show up on eBay.

With as many OEM axles being replaced with half-donkey independent suspension systems as there are these days, spindles should be plentiful, and cheap, or even complete axle assemblies free for the hauling. Try posting an ad in the "parts wanted" forum.
Jerry

Be sure to get an agreement that the spindle/knuckle is useable. The seat/journal/opening for the floating king-pin bushing is often "wallowed-out" and the "floating" bushings would be quite loose in them.

I do have a want ad posted. The bad thing is not too long ago I had a spare axle myself but where I was living at the time I could not store it. As far as the thread in the spindle, that would be a 3/4-20 wouldn't it?