Help, I need a 68 front spindle!!!!!!!!!!

[John L.]

The restoration of my 68 was going along smoothly until I discovered that the right side front spindle has play in the lower ball joint area. Does anyone know where I can get a replacement spindle? I'm told that the spindle is the same for both sides and that 65 to 68 are all the same. This is the only thing that's holdng the project up.

Thanks..............

John

[John H.]

Re: Help, I need a 68 front spindle!!!!!!!!!!

John -

Is the "play" in the ball joint itself, or is the taper in the spindle hole for the ball joint stud wallowed-out so the stud doesn't seat properly?

[John H.]

Re: Help, I need a 68 front spindle!!!!!!!!!!

John -

Is the "play" in the ball joint itself, or is the taper in the spindle hole for the ball joint stud wallowed-out so the stud doesn't seat properly?

[Jeff Chester]

Re: Help, I need a 68 front spindle!!!!!!!!!!

I have two, but I need them, sorry, factory old stock. paid about 85-90 each..
jc
69 are different....thicker..

[Jeff Chester]

Re: Help, I need a 68 front spindle!!!!!!!!!!

I have two, but I need them, sorry, factory old stock. paid about 85-90 each..
jc
69 are different....thicker..

[Joe L.]

Re: Help, I need a 68 front spindle!!!!!!!!!!

John-----

You were told one thing correctly and one thing incorrectly. The spindles are the same for both sides. However, 65-68 are NOT the same. The 68 spindle is a one-year-only part; it was not used for any other year. It was GM #3924384. The 68 spindle was a "transitional" piece. It used the small bearing size and thinner cross section of the 65-67, but used the 1/2" bolt size for the lower spindle-to-steering arm fastening. To accomodate the larger bolt size, the spindle forging was slightly "beefed up" in the area of the bolt holes.

[Joe L.]

Re: Help, I need a 68 front spindle!!!!!!!!!!

John-----

You were told one thing correctly and one thing incorrectly. The spindles are the same for both sides. However, 65-68 are NOT the same. The 68 spindle is a one-year-only part; it was not used for any other year. It was GM #3924384. The 68 spindle was a "transitional" piece. It used the small bearing size and thinner cross section of the 65-67, but used the 1/2" bolt size for the lower spindle-to-steering arm fastening. To accomodate the larger bolt size, the spindle forging was slightly "beefed up" in the area of the bolt holes.

[Dave Henderson]

Re: Help, I need a 68 front spindle!!!!!!!!!!

I just rebuilt my suspension and brakes and have a 67 spindle, but some nitwit spot welded it and machined it to the point the bearing races around on it so I don't think it would be any better than what your replacing. I feel your pain.

[Dave Henderson]

Re: Help, I need a 68 front spindle!!!!!!!!!!

I just rebuilt my suspension and brakes and have a 67 spindle, but some nitwit spot welded it and machined it to the point the bearing races around on it so I don't think it would be any better than what your replacing. I feel your pain.

[Jeff Chester]

Re:68 spindle letters, numbers...??

I found two, which I am going to use...New in the GM boxes..
One is opened, I'll check what the part Number says on the spindle itself...
.......I hate to tease you...there nice... right down to the heat (bluish marks)......box says:
Group No. 6.020
The spindle has, "11B" on it.The other is not opened..
Thanks Joe, from earlier, when I need help on this subject...
jc
I can get you 69-72, if you need one.....there a bit thicker.
These say "A103" and "5or8 CB" I have no clue what these numbers/letters mean.
Maybe I have 2 sets of 68's, there are no apparent differences...jc

[Jeff Chester]

Re:68 spindle letters, numbers...??

I found two, which I am going to use...New in the GM boxes..
One is opened, I'll check what the part Number says on the spindle itself...
.......I hate to tease you...there nice... right down to the heat (bluish marks)......box says:
Group No. 6.020
The spindle has, "11B" on it.The other is not opened..
Thanks Joe, from earlier, when I need help on this subject...
jc
I can get you 69-72, if you need one.....there a bit thicker.
These say "A103" and "5or8 CB" I have no clue what these numbers/letters mean.
Maybe I have 2 sets of 68's, there are no apparent differences...jc

[Joe L.]

Re: Help, I need a 68 front spindle!!!!!!!!!!

John------

One option that you do have is to convert the car to the 69-82 spindle. To do this, you would need to obtain 69-82 spindles, which are still available from GM under GM #3953416, 69-82 front rotors w/hubs which are discontinued but can be made up from used hubs and new rotors, 69-82 steering arms available used, and 69-82 bearings. This would completely convert the car to the 69-82 configuration. Of course, this would not be "correct" but it would be difficult to discern in judging. The bearing hub cap diameter is an easy tip-off, but, as far as I know, the rally wheel caps do not have to be removed for NCRS/NCCB judging so no one would ever get to see them.

One thing to keep in mind, too, if you drive the car: GM did not change the design of the front spindle and related parts for the 1969 model year because the previous design was just as good and worked just as well.

[Joe L.]

Re: Help, I need a 68 front spindle!!!!!!!!!!

John------

One option that you do have is to convert the car to the 69-82 spindle. To do this, you would need to obtain 69-82 spindles, which are still available from GM under GM #3953416, 69-82 front rotors w/hubs which are discontinued but can be made up from used hubs and new rotors, 69-82 steering arms available used, and 69-82 bearings. This would completely convert the car to the 69-82 configuration. Of course, this would not be "correct" but it would be difficult to discern in judging. The bearing hub cap diameter is an easy tip-off, but, as far as I know, the rally wheel caps do not have to be removed for NCRS/NCCB judging so no one would ever get to see them.

One thing to keep in mind, too, if you drive the car: GM did not change the design of the front spindle and related parts for the 1969 model year because the previous design was just as good and worked just as well.

[John L.]

Re: Help, I need a 68 front spindle!!!!!!!!!!

Joe;

Thanks for the part number. I think I'll try locating the 68 spindle. The 69 set-up sounds like it would be expensive. The spindle I have definitely has play in the tapered lower hole. I placed a new ball joint in the hole and it rocks even with applied pressure. Some one repaired the right side of my car and reused this spindle and also put the front spring upside-down. Jeff thanks for the tease. I owe you one back.......

[John L.]

Re: Help, I need a 68 front spindle!!!!!!!!!!

Joe;

Thanks for the part number. I think I'll try locating the 68 spindle. The 69 set-up sounds like it would be expensive. The spindle I have definitely has play in the tapered lower hole. I placed a new ball joint in the hole and it rocks even with applied pressure. Some one repaired the right side of my car and reused this spindle and also put the front spring upside-down. Jeff thanks for the tease. I owe you one back.......