C2 Rear Spindle

[Michael A.]

I've run into a problem with a repair being done on my 66 roadster following our return from Route 66. The wheel bearings started that concerning squeak on the return trip so I have it in a trusted shop in my home town to replace them.

While doing the work, they had trouble removing the bearing from the right rear spindle and damaged it. They obtained a replacement from Keen Parts and installed it. After installation they found that the brake rotor was no longer centered in the brake caliper. It was off center enough to cause one side of pistons to be rubbing pretty hard against the brake rotor. They've deduced that the spindle dimensions must be off and have ordered a new replacement from the local Chevy dealer. They'll be installing that next week when it comes in.

Has anyone experienced a similar issue with a reproduction spindle? What is the experience with Keen Parts? I'd appreciate any thoughts or insights.

Cheers,

[Joe L.]

Re: C2 Rear Spindle

I've run into a problem with a repair being done on my 66 roadster following our return from Route 66. The wheel bearings started that concerning squeak on the return trip so I have it in a trusted shop in my home town to replace them.

While doing the work, they had trouble removing the bearing from the right rear spindle and damaged it. They obtained a replacement from Keen Parts and installed it. After installation they found that the brake rotor was no longer centered in the brake caliper. It was off center enough to cause one side of pistons to be rubbing pretty hard against the brake rotor. They've deduced that the spindle dimensions must be off and have ordered a new replacement from the local Chevy dealer. They'll be installing that next week when it comes in.

Has anyone experienced a similar issue with a reproduction spindle? What is the experience with Keen Parts? I'd appreciate any thoughts or insights.

Cheers,

Mike-----

Entrusting a rear spindle overhaul job to a shop that does not have extensive experience in this particular repair is a prescription for a disaster, regardless of how competent the shop might otherwise be. I can almost guarantee you that the way in which they damaged the spindle was trying to drive it out with impactive force, with or without a thread protection tool. But, that's done now.

There are several types of spindles on the market. Some are original GM. These are high quality but they often have excessive runout on the flange. That causes brake problems and requires extensive effort to correct in a field situation.

The next type are some that look like GM spindles but I think they're imported. I don't know much about these.

Another type are those manufactured by International Axle. These usually have a very light greenish finish. They are very high quality, fully machined, and with near-perfect runout.

After saying all that, I really doubt that your caliper alignment problem has anything, at all, to do with the spindle regardless of which of the above were initially installed. Plus, I expect that when the new GM spindle is installed, you'll have exactly the same problem. My suspicion is that the caliper bracket has been bent or distorted in some way and that's the root of the problem.

Another possibility is that the spindle was not installed properly, particularly with respect to the outer bearing being FULLY pressed onto the spindle or, if the races were replaced (as they should be), they were not driven fully into the spindle support. This is a somewhat common problem when folks try to replace rear bearing races with the trailing arm installed on the car.

[Wayne M.]

Re: C2 Rear Spindle

...While doing the work, they had trouble removing the bearing from the right rear spindle and damaged it. They obtained a replacement from Keen Parts and installed it. After installation they found that the brake rotor was no longer centered in the brake caliper. It was off center enough to cause one side of pistons to be rubbing pretty hard against the brake rotor. They've deduced that the spindle dimensions must be off and have ordered a new replacement from the local Chevy dealer.
Cheers,

Michael -- in addition to all the good info that Joe L. has provided, also consider that they may have used a '63-64 design spindle, which has a different offset when used with calipers. When I bought my '65 in 1988, I changed the calipers because of leaks, and found that the RR had washers on the studs between the disc and the spindle, to center the disc in the opening of the caliper. Turns out that this wheel had an early style drum-brake spindle. Situation cured with correct disc brake spindle.

Just another possibility.

[Jim T.]

Re: C2 Rear Spindle

There are a lot of postings in the archives on C2/C3 rear wheel bearings. If correct tools, tools designed especially for spindle removal on the car and bearing removal from the spindle, are not used properly original parts are going to become unuseable.
For rebuild/maint of rear wheel bearings for those who do not have the correct tools and want it all done right by experienced professionals www.bairs.com would be my recommendation.
Driving down the interstates/highways and always having 100% braking, no excessive lateral runout of the disc rotor, no air pumping into the calipers, rebuilt emergency brake system, bearings set up correctly, is all sure the better in driving a C2/C3 Corvette.
It might be some work to remove the complete rear control arm and reinstall it for some. Bairs is the only place I know of that returns the spindle and rotors just like the C2/C3's left the factory, rivetted together.

[Dick W.]

Re: C2 Rear Spindle

I agree with Joe that they have probably bent the caliper mounting bracket, causing the alignment problem you are describing

[Michael A.]

Re: C2 Rear Spindle

Joe and all,
Thanks for the input. I'll work with the shop to come to a good resolution.

I'm going to have them check the runout on the GM spindle they are getting to see if it is good.

Questions for you:

• If the GM spindle has excessive runout I intend to look for the one from International Axle. Do you have recommeneded retail source for the spindles from International Axle?
• In your experience, is a bent caliper bracket repairable or shoud I be planning to replace the trailing arm?

Thanks again for the guidance.

[Joe L.]

Re: C2 Rear Spindle

Joe and all,
Thanks for the input. I'll work with the shop to come to a good resolution.

I'm going to have them check the runout on the GM spindle they are getting to see if it is good.

Questions for you:

• If the GM spindle has excessive runout I intend to look for the one from International Axle. Do you have recommeneded retail source for the spindles from International Axle?
• In your experience, is a bent caliper bracket repairable or shoud I be planning to replace the trailing arm?

Thanks again for the guidance.

Michael-----


I don't know which Corvette suppliers carry the International Axle piece. Be aware that the centers and coloration on the International Axle spindles are different than GM and will be a judging factor if that's of concern to you. Otherwise, I think they're the way to go.

If the caliper bracket is bent, you can replace just the bracket. They're long-since GM-discontinued but there are plenty of good used ones around. They are side-specific so, if you need one, make sure you get the correct one.