Outer bearing seized to spindle question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

JimKshortstep4x4 · 05-30-2009, 07:38 PM

I am trying to disassemble a front axle on a 71 K-10 and on one side the inner race of the outer bearing is stuck or frozen to the spindle. The bearing had failed for lack of grease and has been very hot when it seized on the spindle.

I am a little hesitant to apply a torch to the bearing because of the "kickback" from blowing into a hole.

Any tips on how to remove the bearing so that the rotor can be removed would be appreciated.

Jim

Eturnit3 · 05-31-2009, 01:28 AM

ya, all that grease doesnt smell to good under the torch either... I had a similar issue today whilst doing bearings/hubs... Not sure I read right but it sounds like the bearing is frozen on the spindle... I was lucky enough to find a small non sharpened cats claw type looking tool (one of my stepdads creations no doubt) and a BFH... Seems to me if its frozen to the spindle (where the inside of the bearing sits on the axle, to clearify what Im calling a spindle) you should be able to smack the back of the rotor with a bfh? I would assume you will be replacing the spindle anyhow since there will more than likely be damage to inner race from the seized bearing. Im curious to know what solution ends up doing the trick...

JimKshortstep4x4 · 05-31-2009, 05:25 AM

Thanks for the reply.

I am sure the spindle is ruined since the bearing is seized on it. I have been hitting the rotor from the back side but it has not helped yet.

If that does not work, I guess that I will go the torch route.

Jim

Billhilly · 05-31-2009, 05:41 AM

I wonder if you were careful with the heat, medium sized tip with careful application, you might be okey. You could go the other direction and go cold, buy a can and squirt it all in there. Got nothing to lose, well a few bucks.

**special-K** · 05-31-2009, 06:49 AM

The rotor,bearings,and spidle all will need replaced,I`d think.Why not just look for a donor axle for the knuckle and screw a buncha bullwork on that old assembly?Just pop it off at the knuckle (ball joints).You may,then,be able to seperate easier to save the knuckle.

Hottrucks · 05-31-2009, 07:10 AM

heres what I do on trailer bearing that get seized on you may try this and Bill hilly is on the right track..........get a CO2 fire extingwisher clean as much grease of as you can place the cone over the axles and let it have it a couple times then try to pry it off in most cases this works like a charm I've had to change a few road side

JimKshortstep4x4 · 05-31-2009, 08:08 PM

Thanks for the comments and suggestions.

I had been soaking the bearing for a couple of days with a penetrant and beating on the rotor with no success. I gave up and fired up the torch heating the seized inner race to a cherry red. I tried the pounding again with no sucess.

With no movement on the rotor after many attempts of heating the race and pounding I gave up and torched the rollers out of the bearing. Once this was done the rotor came off and was still in good condition. The spindle was ruined which I had known from the start. Here is a picture of the spindle with the remains of the inner race on it.

Jim

Billhilly · 05-31-2009, 08:14 PM

Well that worked!

msgross · 05-31-2009, 08:14 PM

I have a spindle.. you can have it for shipping cost.. (USPS flat rate probably the best) $15?

mine is a little newer spindle so you would need to confirm the measurements of your old one...

JimKshortstep4x4 · 06-01-2009, 05:21 AM

Mike,

Thanks for your kind offer!

I have spare spindles so I would not need another one.

Jim

**special-K** · 06-01-2009, 05:42 AM

That thing gave ya hell,huh?But,you whooped it! I bet it feels great to be able to move on.Nothing worse than 1/2 on 1/2 off...I hate being there...ARGH!!!

05-30-2009, 07:38 PM	#1
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	Outer bearing seized to spindle question I am trying to disassemble a front axle on a 71 K-10 and on one side the inner race of the outer bearing is stuck or frozen to the spindle. The bearing had failed for lack of grease and has been very hot when it seized on the spindle. I am a little hesitant to apply a torch to the bearing because of the "kickback" from blowing into a hole. Any tips on how to remove the bearing so that the rotor can be removed would be appreciated. Jim __________________ 1971 Shortbox step side 4x4, 350 sbc, 3:07 rear end 1965 Impala SS 400 sbc, Muncie rock crusher 1966 Impala SS 396 bbc, TH 400 1969 El Camino, 350 sbc, TH 350 1971 Snowplow built on a Blazer frame 1972 GMC Short bed, stepside, TH 400, 427 BBC

05-31-2009, 01:28 AM	#2
Eturnit3 Bloodied Knuckles Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Grass Valley CA Posts: 273	Re: Outer bearing seized to spindle question ya, all that grease doesnt smell to good under the torch either... I had a similar issue today whilst doing bearings/hubs... Not sure I read right but it sounds like the bearing is frozen on the spindle... I was lucky enough to find a small non sharpened cats claw type looking tool (one of my stepdads creations no doubt) and a BFH... Seems to me if its frozen to the spindle (where the inside of the bearing sits on the axle, to clearify what Im calling a spindle) you should be able to smack the back of the rotor with a bfh? I would assume you will be replacing the spindle anyhow since there will more than likely be damage to inner race from the seized bearing. Im curious to know what solution ends up doing the trick...

05-31-2009, 05:25 AM	#3
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	Re: Outer bearing seized to spindle question Thanks for the reply. I am sure the spindle is ruined since the bearing is seized on it. I have been hitting the rotor from the back side but it has not helped yet. If that does not work, I guess that I will go the torch route. Jim __________________ 1971 Shortbox step side 4x4, 350 sbc, 3:07 rear end 1965 Impala SS 400 sbc, Muncie rock crusher 1966 Impala SS 396 bbc, TH 400 1969 El Camino, 350 sbc, TH 350 1971 Snowplow built on a Blazer frame 1972 GMC Short bed, stepside, TH 400, 427 BBC

05-31-2009, 05:41 AM	#4
Billhilly Registered User Join Date: May 2001 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand. Posts: 782	Re: Outer bearing seized to spindle question I wonder if you were careful with the heat, medium sized tip with careful application, you might be okey. You could go the other direction and go cold, buy a can and squirt it all in there. Got nothing to lose, well a few bucks. Attached Images __________________ 1972 K2500 Long Box 400/350

05-31-2009, 06:49 AM	#5
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: Outer bearing seized to spindle question The rotor,bearings,and spidle all will need replaced,I`d think.Why not just look for a donor axle for the knuckle and screw a buncha bullwork on that old assembly?Just pop it off at the knuckle (ball joints).You may,then,be able to seperate easier to save the knuckle. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

05-31-2009, 07:10 AM	#6
Hottrucks Redefining LowBudget Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: lebanon Cow Hampshire Posts: 4,538	Re: Outer bearing seized to spindle question heres what I do on trailer bearing that get seized on you may try this and Bill hilly is on the right track..........get a CO2 fire extingwisher clean as much grease of as you can place the cone over the axles and let it have it a couple times then try to pry it off in most cases this works like a charm I've had to change a few road side __________________ 1970 C10 CST fleetside 472 ....big dreams little cash... http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=335721 SunShine Syndicate.. Mikes Sandwich Fair Run OCT 8th 2011 http://www.thesandwichfair.com/html/...auto_show.html

05-31-2009, 08:08 PM	#7
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	Re: Outer bearing seized to spindle question Thanks for the comments and suggestions. I had been soaking the bearing for a couple of days with a penetrant and beating on the rotor with no success. I gave up and fired up the torch heating the seized inner race to a cherry red. I tried the pounding again with no sucess. With no movement on the rotor after many attempts of heating the race and pounding I gave up and torched the rollers out of the bearing. Once this was done the rotor came off and was still in good condition. The spindle was ruined which I had known from the start. Here is a picture of the spindle with the remains of the inner race on it. Jim __________________ 1971 Shortbox step side 4x4, 350 sbc, 3:07 rear end 1965 Impala SS 400 sbc, Muncie rock crusher 1966 Impala SS 396 bbc, TH 400 1969 El Camino, 350 sbc, TH 350 1971 Snowplow built on a Blazer frame 1972 GMC Short bed, stepside, TH 400, 427 BBC Last edited by JimKshortstep4x4; 07-14-2009 at 12:52 PM.

05-31-2009, 08:14 PM	#8
Billhilly Registered User Join Date: May 2001 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand. Posts: 782	Re: Outer bearing seized to spindle question Well that worked! __________________ 1972 K2500 Long Box 400/350

05-31-2009, 08:14 PM	#9
msgross Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Central PA Posts: 12,201	Re: Outer bearing seized to spindle question I have a spindle.. you can have it for shipping cost.. (USPS flat rate probably the best) $15? mine is a little newer spindle so you would need to confirm the measurements of your old one... __________________ The Garage: 1968 K-10 SWB - "Project Money Pit" 1996 Z-71 - "huntin rig" 1969 C-10 LWB (SOLD) "Project flip that truck or else" 1993 Passport, F@rd 1-ton (SOLD)"Project Cousin Eddie" My Garage Build "The 1,000 footer" Last edited by msgross; 05-31-2009 at 08:24 PM.

06-01-2009, 05:21 AM	#10
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	Re: Outer bearing seized to spindle question Mike, Thanks for your kind offer! I have spare spindles so I would not need another one. Jim __________________ 1971 Shortbox step side 4x4, 350 sbc, 3:07 rear end 1965 Impala SS 400 sbc, Muncie rock crusher 1966 Impala SS 396 bbc, TH 400 1969 El Camino, 350 sbc, TH 350 1971 Snowplow built on a Blazer frame 1972 GMC Short bed, stepside, TH 400, 427 BBC

06-01-2009, 05:42 AM	#11
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: Outer bearing seized to spindle question That thing gave ya hell,huh?But,you whooped it! I bet it feels great to be able to move on.Nothing worse than 1/2 on 1/2 off...I hate being there...ARGH!!! __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

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