63 Spindle Flange

[Harry S.]

At the start of 63 the spindle was thin in configuration, see area in red. This entire piece was made thicker. I guess popping the clutch made the flange go from together to apart.

The question is, was the redesigned thicker part introduced sometime in 63 or at the start of 64 production. My April, 20th 63 car has the thin configuration. One is ok the other had a welded ear so I replaced it with the thicker one.

Anyone have a clue?

[Frank D.]

Re: 63 Spindle Flange

A pal and I redid my whole rear suspension a few months back on my May 29th split window - and yeah the car has the thin spindles...

[Joe L.]

Re: 63 Spindle Flange

At the start of 63 the spindle was thin in configuration, see area in red. This entire piece was made thicker. I guess popping the clutch made the flange go from together to apart.

The question is, was the redesigned thicker part introduced sometime in 63 or at the start of 64 production. My April, 20th 63 car has the thin configuration. One is ok the other had a welded ear so I replaced it with the thicker one.

Anyone have a clue?

Harry------


For most of 1963 the "thin" spindle flange, GM #3830253, was used in conjunction with the "thick" axle flange, GM #3832048. Both the spindle flange and axle flange were cast of nodular cast iron. Because it was of nodular cast iron, the axle flange had to be thick to achieve the desired strength. Sometime before the end of 1963 production, the spindle flange was changed to the "thick" flange, GM #3839830 and the axle u-joint flange changed to "thin" flange, GM #3843018. The GM # 3839830 continued to be manufactured of nodular cast iron while the GM #3843018 was made of forged steel. Just when this change occurred I do not know but I believe it was VERY late in the model year, perhaps only the last month or two of production.

The GM #3830243 spindle flange was discontinued in October, 1963 and replaced for SERVICE by the GM #3839830. The GM #3832048 axle u-joint flange was discontinued in March, 1966 and replaced by the GM #3843018. This implies that the spindle flanges of either part number and axle flanges of either part number could be used interchangeably. However, I really don't think that would be advisable as the "geometry" of the installation would be changed using either a "thin" axle flange with a "thin" spindle flange OR a "thick" axle flange with a "thick" spindle flange.

The GM #3839830 spindle flange continued to be used for all 1964-79 Corvettes. The GM #3843018 axle flange continued to be used for all 1964-74 Corvettes.

[Michael G.]

Re: 63 Spindle Flange

Harry, I've clipped a piece of an earlier post that, I think, answered your question:

[Richard G.]

Re: 63 Spindle Flange

1963-Early and later outer flanges.
Both are nodular cast iron.

[Joe L.]

Re: 63 Spindle Flange

1963-Early and later outer flanges.
Both are nodular cast iron.

Richard------


The example on the left is a GM #3832048. As far as I know, this was the original axle flange used for 1963 Corvettes although given the part number, there may have been a predecessor part which I have no information on.

I do not know what the example on the right is. It may have been a version of the 3832048 which occurred by a revision to the original spec without a change in part number. It's also remotely possible that it's a predecessor part to the 3832048 although I highly doubt it. In any event, it's not a GM #3843018 which I believe was used for the last month or two of 1963 production. The 3843018 is of forged steel, has a thinner cross section than the 3832048, and usually has the forging number 3843018 on the front. Does the example you show on the right have any casting number on the front?

[Harry S.]

Re: 63 Spindle Flange

The one on the left is the original with a broken ear. The one on the right is what took it's place. Did this in 2008.





After the car was back together I found these. If I ever take it apart again they will be installed.

[Joe L.]

Re: 63 Spindle Flange

The one on the left is the original with a broken ear. The one on the right is what took it's place. Did this in 2008.





After the car was back together I found these. If I ever take it apart again they will be installed.

Harry-----

These are both nodular iron spindle flanges as were all 63+ spindle flanges. I wish I could read the casting number you picture. If I could it might reveal a part number which preceded the 3830253.

Do either of the other two you picture have any casting numbers on them?

[Harry S.]

Re: 63 Spindle Flange

This is the better of the two, Casting is GM 1.

[Joe L.]

Re: 63 Spindle Flange

This is the better of the two, Casting is GM 1.

Harry------


I would read this to be 3830284. That could very well be the casting number of the spindle flange GM #3830253. While the second to the last numeral character appears to be an "8" to me, if it actually is a "5" that would almost certainly mean that it's the casting number for the 3830253 since casting numbers are often on digit higher than the part number.

[Richard G.]

Re: 63 Spindle Flange

Below are the examples I have;

Right to Left;
The first two are nodular cast iron the last one is cast steel.

The part number is visible only on the flange side of the first one. I believe that they are the same part only the machining is different.




Another view in the same order just rotated for a different view.


Rotated again showing the flange side.


Below is a close up picture of the first one in the line up.
It is my attempt to show the casting numbers better.



Almost every one of the used flanges I have inspected have been bent.
Here is the fixture I used to check them.


Also typical is damage to the inside of the trunnion bore where it has been peened over because the U-joint has been driven into the opposite flange. Lots of reasons not to use these flanges on any car that is driven hard or has anything but the stock tires. My car has approximate 100K miles on it and the left side was still factory original. Right side had been replaced, likely in the first five years sometime. After careful consideration I kept the car all original with the early 63 flanges on both sides.
Rick

[Joe L.]

Re: 63 Spindle Flange

Below are the examples I have;

Right to Left;
The first two are nodular cast iron the last one is cast steel.

The part number is visible only on the flange side of the first one. I believe that they are the same part only the machining is different.




Another view in the same order just rotated for a different view.


Rotated again showing the flange side.


Below is a close up picture of the first one in the line up.
It is my attempt to show the casting numbers better.



Almost every one of the used flanges I have inspected have been bent.
Here is the fixture I used to check them.


Also typical is damage to the inside of the trunnion bore where it has been peened over because the U-joint has been driven into the opposite flange. Lots of reasons not to use these flanges on any car that is driven hard or has anything but the stock tires. My car has approximate 100K miles on it and the left side was still factory original. Right side had been replaced, likely in the first five years sometime. After careful consideration I kept the car all original with the early 63 flanges on both sides.
Rick

Rick------


The one on the left is a GM #3832048. I believe the one in the middle is also a GM #3832048 but probably revised by a change to the specification without a change in part number. If not, it's another part number that I have no record of.

The one on the right is a GM #360913. This flange was used in PRODUCTION for 1975-79 Corvettes and SERVICE for all 1963-79. As far as I know, it is manufactured of forged steel as was it's predecessor the GM #3843018 used in PRODUCTION for VL1963-74 Corvettes. The 360913 flanges were manufactured by Spicer and usually have that brand name embossed on them. Note the depressions between the mounting bolt holes. This is a feature of the 360913 not seen on the 3843018.