The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts 1968 C60 Rear Spindle Repair ??

I finally got the axle nuts off of my old dump truck. Someone had tack welded the outer nut to the spindle because the threads were ruined. I cut it off with a torch without doing any further damage but the spindle threads are bad. Does anyone know how I can possibly repair the spindle? Also need to find out where I can get a new axle nut.

The nut is a standard part available at any truck dealer. The threads are another matter. Depends on how low they are worn. There should be a lock ring between the nuts. The inboard nut should have a pin sticking out of the outboard face that engages a hole in the lock ring when it is adjusted. The outer nut is tightened securely against the lock ring.

If there is still enough there, you might try a thread repair file: https://www.mcmaster.com/thread-repair-files Certainly worth a try. You must use the correct pitch file to match the threads, I do not know off hand what that pitch is. You could measure it from the good threads remaining. Keep the file carefully in line with the threads and only file until the teeth reach the bottom of the V of the threads. You can see the bottom start to glow as the file touches the metal in the bottom. Go around the spindle carefully, it will take a long time but you might have some luck.

I don't think the spindle is replaceable, maybe someone else knows for sure.

One could spend a fair amount of time with a thread file & get a nut to go on but it looks like it has had a "Okie knurl" job on the outer bearing surface of the axle as a "repair " after the bearing spun earlier in it's life.

Oh, you are right about that, did not notice it, it's good you did. That would be bad. I would be looking for a "new" housing I think.

Yes, a new housing is in order. There are professional services to cut off and weld on new spindles (if they have your size available) but I suspect a new housing will be cheaper, these axles often being free for the taking.

Spindle replacement or repair welding and rethreading is usually done on the bigger rigs, 18-wheeler stuff, etc. It involves some pretty specialized machining and welding procedures. On a 3/4 ton housing, it would probably be much less expensive to simply replace the housing. I've done a few emergency field repairs that involved tacking that nut into place, but only after getting a written waiver from the truck owner authorizing emergency fix. There's a huge amount of liability involved in that kind of a fix!
Jerry

My drive axle is a GM T170 which I was told was out of a C60. They're out there and readily available. If you do a search for that axle, several sites pop up that have them.

ticketman186,,,that is what my differential is. Just don't know if I am up to the task of replacing it. I do have a front end loader that I suppose I could use to move it around. I have never changed out a differential that big before and don't have any help available.

Jack up the truck and support it very well in front of the rear springs.
Cut the U-bolts, roll out the old axle and roll in the new one. Use new U-bolts and nuts.
This can be done by one person if necessary.

A two ton is actually easier to work on than a pickup once you get over being intimidated by the size of things. If you have a loader, it would actually be quite simple. Years ago I made axle housings serviceable with one of these things. https://www.otctools.com/products/universal-outside-thread-chaser That might be all you need for casual use. We used to fix them by chasing threads for trucks in daily service back in the day.

I've got one of those thread chasers I'd be willing to loan out if you want to give it a try. The snout in the picture looks to be in pretty rough shape, but it might be worth a try before going to the effort of swapping housings.
Jerry

Even though I also suggested chasing the threads, I changed my mind after it was pointed out that a close look at the bearing area of the spindle shows someone already used a center punch on it to expand it to tighten the fit of a make a replacement bearing after the previous one spun on the spindle. There is no good way to make another bearing fit properly any more.

Clean up the threads and put a new bearing on if you want but do not be surprised when it fails in short order because it cannot be adjusted correctly. Likely the reason why the hub is apart now.