Mid Year trailing arm bearing/spindle support

[Nick K.]

The left trailing arm bearing/spindle support on my '63 is the issue. The 2 holes where the lower shock mount slides in are worn allowing the shock support to freely turn even after tightening the castle nut. Short of replacing the spindle/bearing support and the shock mount is there a fix for this. Obviously it's easy to replace the shock mount but just want to avoid trailing arm dis assembly and replacement of the support. Thx...

[Timothy B.]

Re: Mid Year trailing arm bearing/spindle support

Nick,

I am not sure this would work but could you enlarge the back hole and make a bushing with a good interference fit that has a flat to accept the shock bolt, the flat will keep the bolt from turning.

[Joe L.]

Re: Mid Year trailing arm bearing/spindle support

The left trailing arm bearing/spindle support on my '63 is the issue. The 2 holes where the lower shock mount slides in are worn allowing the shock support to freely turn even after tightening the castle nut. Short of replacing the spindle/bearing support and the shock mount is there a fix for this. Obviously it's easy to replace the shock mount but just want to avoid trailing arm dis assembly and replacement of the support. Thx...

Nick------

The current replacement shock mounts have a rather "prominent" knurled section. I think if you just replace the shock mounts your problem will be solved. You might also be able to "build up" the knurling on the existing shock mounts by "wrapping" the knurled section with thin shim stock and tapping it down into the knurling that remains. This might build it up enough to reestablish a good interference fit.

By the way, if your current shock mounts suffer from any pitting-type corrosion, especially on the leg that mounts the shock (as the often do after long use), they really aren't suitable for re-use. In that case, I'd just go with the replacements and forget about trying to make the existing ones work.

[Nick K.]

Re: Mid Year trailing arm bearing/spindle support

Thanks Tim and Joe for the input. The rear hole that has the 'flat' is worn to a point where the flat is no longer visible and the hole is egg shaped slightly. I think I'll try and get by with just replacing the shock support and see how that works. Plan B will be to salvage these original '63 bearing supports somehow.... possible drill and press in bushings in the holes.

[Donald O.]

Re: Mid Year trailing arm bearing/spindle support

Thanks Tim and Joe for the input. The rear hole that has the 'flat' is worn to a point where the flat is no longer visible and the hole is egg shaped slightly. I think I'll try and get by with just replacing the shock support and see how that works. Plan B will be to salvage these original '63 bearing supports somehow.... possible drill and press in bushings in the holes.

Nick,
If your D hole is ovaled and will not prevent it from turning, I don't see how drilling and adding a bushing is going to help that, you'll still have a round hole where you need a D type hole. That approach will work where the shock mount is knurled, on the leading or forward hole. You may just have to bite the bullet and replace the supports.

DonO

[Nick K.]

Re: Mid Year trailing arm bearing/spindle support

Don..Yes I thought of that. The bushing could be cut before installing so the flat area would be open initially then a piece could possible be made or machined to slide in the open area with a flat on the inside to approximate the original flat. After having said that in the end I'll probably replace the parts.

[Joe L.]

Re: Mid Year trailing arm bearing/spindle support

Don..Yes I thought of that. The bushing could be cut before installing so the flat area would be open initially then a piece could possible be made or machined to slide in the open area with a flat on the inside to approximate the original flat. After having said that in the end I'll probably replace the parts.

Nick------


I missed the fact that the "D" shaped hole was worn. I have never seen that occur. However, I'd be leery of bushing this. When the ears are bored out, the piece will be weakened. Strength will not be restored when the bushing is installed. Inasmuch as this is an important suspension piece and degrading it will compromise safety, I'd be reluctant to do this sort of repair.

Hopefully, someone else will have "crossed this bridge" and will have developed a repair they can advise on here.

[Terry M.]

Re: Mid Year trailing arm bearing/spindle support

Aren't the 1963 spindle supports a unique configuration? if I am right it might be worth trying your best to make a repair if you ever intend to have the car judged. If nothing else at least save the part for the next custodian of your car. They might have a different POV about judging.

[Joe L.]

Re: Mid Year trailing arm bearing/spindle support

Aren't the 1963 spindle supports a unique configuration? if I am right it might be worth trying your best to make a repair if you ever intend to have the car judged. If nothing else at least save the part for the next custodian of your car. They might have a different POV about judging.

Terry-----


Yes, the 1963 rear spindle supports are unique to that year. They have "webbing" between the forks. They are the same casting number, though, as the 1964-74.

I definitely agree that the supports should be saved. Even if there is not a repair available for them now, perhaps one will be developed in the future. Restoration technology progresses.

[Joe R.]

Re: Mid Year trailing arm bearing/spindle support

Terry,

All great thoughts above but I would suggest to have the hole welded up on the flat area and then using a die grinder carefully reshape the hole so the bearing support has that flat area to keep the shock support from turning. Any good welding shop could accomplish this task. Going to take some time but preserving the original 63 bearing support should be worth the time and effort. Definately change the shock support as the new one has some aggressive serated "teeth" to help keep it from turning.

JR

[Rob M.]

Re: Mid Year trailing arm bearing/spindle support

Terry,

All great thoughts above but I would suggest to have the hole welded up on the flat area and then using a die grinder carefully reshape the hole so the bearing support has that flat area to keep the shock support from turning. Any good welding shop could accomplish this task. Going to take some time but preserving the original 63 bearing support should be worth the time and effort. Definately change the shock support as the new one has some aggressive serated "teeth" to help keep it from turning.

JR

Damn, I just was going to propose this (so I could contribute also something to the board) but you beat me to it...

[Nick K.]

Re: Mid Year trailing arm bearing/spindle support

Guys...Thanks again for all the great input. The flat area in the rear hole is not totally gone and upon further inspection it appears that the cause was inadequately torqued nuts on the shock support to mount. I checked the right side and sure enough it was not torqued to the 80 lb. spec. I think if I replace the shock mount and torque to spec I may be OK as Joe recommended previously. If that doesn't work I will weld the hole(s) and drill/grind the flat. Great recommendations all.

Yes '63 supports are unique in production to June '63 in that they don't have the webbing between the arms as those from June '63 onward do. The webbing was no doubt added for increased strength of the casting.

[Joe L.]

Re: Mid Year trailing arm bearing/spindle support

Terry,

All great thoughts above but I would suggest to have the hole welded up on the flat area and then using a die grinder carefully reshape the hole so the bearing support has that flat area to keep the shock support from turning. Any good welding shop could accomplish this task. Going to take some time but preserving the original 63 bearing support should be worth the time and effort. Definately change the shock support as the new one has some aggressive serated "teeth" to help keep it from turning.

JR

JR-----


These supports are cast from nodular iron. While it might be possible to weld on them, I'd be extremely leery of doing so. Often times, when welding is performed on cast iron the cast iron metallurgy is affected and the part becomes prone to cracking, especially at areas away from where the welding was actually done. For a piece with serious safety implications like these supports, I'd never feel comfortable with a welded repair.

[Nick K.]

Re: Mid Year trailing arm bearing/spindle support

Joe..I'd have to agree with you on that. It's not worth any chance of injury/accident just to save the original part. If a new shock mount installed and torqued properly doesn't fix it I'll replace the bearing support as well. Thx

[Patrick B.]

Re: Mid Year trailing arm bearing/spindle support

[QUOTE=Joe Lucia (12484);656001]JR-----


These supports are cast from nodular iron. While it might be possible to weld on them, I'd be extremely leery of doing so. Often times, when welding is performed on cast iron the cast iron metallurgy is affected and the part becomes prone to cracking, especially at areas away from where the welding was actually done. For a piece with serious safety implications like these supports, I'd never feel comfortable with a welded repair./QUOTE] Perhaps a buidup could be done with brazing that would not need as much heat as welding.