Front axle rebuild - advice on spindle wear

[cahill]

Dove into rebuilding the front axle on the LX and round some wear that I expect was the source of some slop in the driver side front end.

Any thoughts on the spindle wear? I was thinking it is still usable but wanted to double check with others with more knoweledge. I am able to just barely feel the texture of the circumfirential marks and can catch my fingernail of the little divets.

Here is the thrust washer as well that showes some deep groves in it. I'll be replaceing the washer.

The outer bearing was pretty bad - one side had a flat to it on the outer face. It looked like it was hit with a hammer or dropped on the floor from a height before installing it. My guess is that the bearing wasn't seated well into the race and when going over a pot hole or something the race smacked it and created the dent but who knows. I didn't get a photo of it last night but will post it up later. Off to cleaning out grease and to start re-assembling things. Thanks for your thoughts on the spindle.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

It does look worn but I believe new brass parts are available and can be pressed in. What do the bearing lands look like? Usually they determine whether you need to replace. I replaced mine at 120k miles just because I was in there and significant wear was showing on the outer bearing land.

The thrust washer wear is normal.

I seem to remember that Curiseroutfitters had aftermarket spindles available that looked well made, and maybe by the OEM. The price was pretty good compared to Toyota.

 

[BILT4ME]

That indicates that the bearings have been run loose a lot.

With the additional information that the cage of the bearing has a flat spot in it (most likely external damage during assembly), I would highly recommend new bearings and races, seals, thrust washers, and nuts. Cruiser Outfitters has a great kit with all you need.

You don't show or indicate anything about the spindle wear. What are you questioning? Sometimes loose bearings can cause spindle wear or a race to spin in a hub, or a bearing to grind on a spindle.

Spindles rarely need replacing unless there has been a significant impact or bearing failure. The inner spindle bushing, however, may need replaced due to lack of lubrication.

 

[inkpot]

I dont think wear in the spindle bushing will cause steering play, but loose/worn bearings sure can.

 

[Tools R Us]

I dont think wear in the spindle bushing will cause steering play, but loose/worn bearings sure can.

And that bushing looks fine. It has had some debris, causing scratches, but that isn't uncommon, from what can be seen in the pic, doesn't look to have excessive wear.

 

[cahill]

Thanks for the help - sure enough the spindle has some wear where the outer bearing seats on the spindle. I was planing on running it with the bushing the way it is but now that I see the spindle wear I'll just replace it as it seems like a bigger problem and is proably why I couldn't keep the bearing seated. Whoever was in the front end last didn't seem to do a stellar job. Several of the paper gaskets were missing and the dropped bearing being used doesn't inspire confidence in their work. I'll definitely replace the bearings and races and had the kit already from @cruiseroutfit.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Bummer the bearing surface has wear

If we can help with a new spindle we have both OE an Japanese options that we’ve had phenomenal luck and experience with. I’ll toss in the 42030 thrust washers so you can button it up nice and tight! Lmk

 

[cahill]

Thanks Kurt. I had already ordered the thrust washer this morning from a local dealer thinking I could button it back up quickly - then found the problem with the spindle. If I wasn't in a time crunch and covered with grease trying to figure this out I would have ordered the parts from you but just called the dealer back and added the spindle. I was hoping they would have it by tomorrow but they won't. I am sure you would have gotten it to me quicker and I'd have confidence it would be the right part

 

[cahill]

As promised, here are the photos of the outer bearing. Now that I think about it, it was probably dropped when someone was re-packing the bearing with grease and maybe they didn't notice the damage. It seems more likely than damage to the bearing when crawling to the mall - the pot holes can be pretty gnarly though and if not chosing your lines correctly might need to pull out a winch.

Here is the area on the spindle that has some wear that was preventing the bearing to seat all the way. Thanks @Kernal for pointing me where to look. The arrow points to the wear area where the inner race of the bearing was spinning on the spinde. It isn't too bad but enough to be problematic.

Just for visualization I placed the inner and outer bearings on the spindle to show where they ride without the hub blocking the view. The outer races are not shown since they are pressed into the hub.

Here is how the thrust washer and adjusting nut interace with the bearing to get the right pre-load and keep the bearing seated in the outer races on the hub.

Lasty here is the the thrust washer again and the grove that was worn into it in relation to the outer bearing's inner race.

I am sure that to many this is all old news. I am slow in the uptake and a 1/2 mechanic at best and learning as I go. Feel free to correct anything that I am explaining poorly. Long story short, if your re-packing your bearings check for wear on the thrust washer. It may indicate that there is spindle wear and the wear isn't always obvious as it seems to be on the under side of the spindle that wears first. The point of posting photo of the bearings on the spindle is to show where the inner races are supposed to lock onto the spinde and where to examine the spindle for wear. Hopefully someone will find this helpful.

 

[cahill]

So....I went to the dealer today to pick up the splindle that I had ordered. Thankfully I opened the box at the counter. Here is the part they ordered for me. At least they were kind of close???? Hopefully I'll get the right part in other couple of days.

 

[Tools R Us]

Cruiser Outfitters

 

[BILT4ME]

So....I went to the dealer today to pick up the splindle that I had ordered. Thankfully I opened the box at the counter. Here is the part they ordered for me. At least they were kind of close???? Hopefully I'll get the right part in other couple of days.

View attachment 2024122

View attachment 2024121

And THIS is why I don't trust MOST "Parts Professionals".........

(There are those exceptions: Dan and Onur)

 

[cruiseroutfit]

We still have plenty of the spindles in stock, both OEM and aftermarket ($145/each) Japanese that come pre-loaded with the spindle bearing/bushing or the bushing only for those that want

 

[cahill]

I was shaking my head at the counter and debating whether I should just cancell the order and give you a call Kurt. If they said it would be another five days and hadn't kept the price the same as they had quoted (They charged me for the hub which is cheaper than the spindle and kept it at the lower price) I would be giving you a call. I don't think I'll be using this dealer if I can avoid it.

 

[pnwcruiser]

Stealerships are profit machines, not customer centric or knowledgeable. Kurt, TorFab, Slee, all better than your local ripoff shop selling you the same bits and overcharge for it.

 

[cahill]

Finally picke up the spindle today and buttoned it back up. Interesting to see the spindle is a different design than original. I think I remember Onur writing about using a 105 series spindle that had roller bearings in the bushing instead of just the standard brass bushing. Anyone know of if the dealership just screwed up on the order again or if the old part went the way of the buffalo and this is what has replaced it?

 

[cahill]

Stealerships are profit machines, not customer centric or knowledgeable. Kurt, TorFab, Slee, all better than your local ripoff shop selling you the same bits and overcharge for it.

Most of the time I would agree. Cdan and Onur were exemplary. When Dan retired I was lucky to have Onur to continue providing services until recently. Now that he has moved on I am still struggling. I ordered the front rebuild kit from Kurt but didn't know the spindle was bad until I tore into it and was hoping to wrap it up quickly. I figured the dealer would have had the part available quicker but it sure didn't work out that way.

Thankfully it is buttoned up and seems to be fixed.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

The spindle with the bearing/bush is the “upgraded” design and all that I’d available from Toyota. The bearing/bushing can be retrofitted into the older style too.

 

[cahill]

The spindle with the bearing/bush is the “upgraded” design and all that I’d available from Toyota. The bearing/bushing can be retrofitted into the older style too.

Thanks for the confirmation regarding the spindle bushing. Anyone have insight regarding bearing wear on the new design and how long they last vs the brass bushing only?

 

[scottryana]

Just make sure you "pack" the bearing well and it gives long life.

Thanks for the confirmation regarding the spindle bushing. Anyone have insight regarding bearing wear on the new design and how long they last vs the brass bushing only?