Art Jett
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 25, 2004
- Messages
- 366
- Location
- Azle Tx.
- Corvette
- 1977 TPI 383 stroker, 700R-4/ 2002 6 spd.
I got my new rear spindles from Corvette America and I have new Timken bearings. I measured the I.D. of the races and the O.D. of the spindle bearing surfaces. The spindle surfaces are .004" larger than the inner races. I checked with the mechanical engineers at my work, and they all said this is too much. They told me that it shouldn't be more than .001"-.0015". According to them if I press the bearings on like this it more than likely will distort the bearing race and effectively kill the bearing before I even put the car on the ground. Has anyone run into this before? A resto shop near me says that it takes a 10-15 ton press to install the spindle! For a bearing this small this seems excessive! I have access to a lathe so I can turn down the new spindles but it dosen't seem like I should have to after spending that much for what is supposed to be a correct part. I have a turned down spindle that I used for a setup tool so I have the correct shims, no problem, just unsure about the spindle measurement.