1965 rear spindle

[Joseph E.]

I need to replace a spindle removed from one of my trailing arms. It's not the original one as it has no access holes to adjust the parking brake mechanism and has a thin hub. This piece must have been replaced over the years at some time due to failure as the back side of the trailing arm has some damage done to it. I'm looking at new units from either Ikerd's or Bair's. Does anyone have any experience with the quality and correctness of the units sold by these companies? Both have told me their spindles are U.S. manufactured. Thanks for any input.

Joe
#45420

[Joe L.]

Re: 1965 rear spindle

I need to replace a spindle removed from one of my trailing arms. It's not the original one as it has no access holes to adjust the parking brake mechanism and has a thin hub. This piece must have been replaced over the years at some time due to failure as the back side of the trailing arm has some damage done to it. I'm looking at new units from either Ikerd's or Bair's. Does anyone have any experience with the quality and correctness of the units sold by these companies? Both have told me their spindles are U.S. manufactured. Thanks for any input.

Joe
#45420

Joe-----


I believe that many of the reproduction spindles on the market today are actually manufactured by the same company that makes them for GM. If they're not, they're identical to the current GM SERVICE pieces. However, the current GM SERVICE pieces are not 100% identical to the originals. The primary differences are in the center hub area and involve different forging marks and very slightly different configuration. The differences fall into my category of "nuances".

A problem I have found consistently with the GM spindles and, by inference, any spindles manufactured by the same company that does them for GM is excessive runout on the spindle flange. I've rarely found one that was held to below 0.002" TIR. That much equates to about 0.005" TIR on the disc brake rotor.

The spindles available from International Axle are much better in the latter respect. They are guaranteed to have 0.0005", or less, TIR. I have found them to meet this spec consistently. The only problem with these spindles is that the hub section is completely different than original and easily discerned (only with the hub caps or wheels off, of course).

If Bairs or Ikerds will guarantee that the TIR on the USA-manufactured spindles they sell will meet 0.0005" TIR, they might be the way to go. Otherwise, I'd go with the International Axle spindles.

[Joe R.]

Re: 1965 rear spindle

Joseph,

I have used many axles from both International Axle, Bair's and Ikerd's. Other than the visual differences they have all exceeded GM specifications and have performed without any exceptions.

If you are driving your 65 and not showing just purchase the most economical of the three. IF you are showing your 65 do the same. It would only be a point or two anyway.

JR