Difference in Spindle material

[Clyde65]

I hope someone can enlighten me...

CPP sell a spindle that is Ductile Iron

McGaughy's sells a spindle that is Chromoly Steel


What is the difference?

Thanks

[GEARBOXGARAGE]

Spindles are actually made of two seperate components. The cast part of the spindle is often a ductile iron, a stronger form of cast iron basically.
The machined "spud" (as they're sometimes called) is usually made of an alloy/chromoly steel. Hope this helps!

[Scottshotrods]

Maybe there is some confusion on correct names of the parts.
The correct name of the axle pin is "spindal".
Most people refer to the spindal as the entire up right assembly or knuckle assembly
(axle pin and casting).
Chevrolet calls the front axle upright a "Steering Knuckle"

Older drum brake often had a 1 piece "Knuckle" where the axle was part of the knuckle.
Later disc brakes were made from a 2 piece "steering knuckle assembly"; 1 axle pin (spindle) and 1 knuckle (casting).The spindal is pressed in to the "knuckle"

The knuckle casting is ductile iron, the same material Chevrolet used for their disc brake
castings.Older drum brake knuckles were normally made from carbon steel.

FYI: Later year 2 wheel drive and all 4 wheel drive have only a knuckle, with a live axle installed; non-driven axle (2wd) or driven axle (4wd).
Independent front suspension 4 wheel drives feature a seperate suspension sytem for each knuckle and these knuckles still contain a live axle.

The Cpp "Spindal" or axle pin is made of 4130 alloy steel "Chromalloy", Chevrolet normally used 1040 or 1050 carbon steel.

Any of these materials work well.

For the most part there is no difference on strength or performance of "knuckles" made
from steel or ductile iron.Typically, a ductile iron casting is slightly thicker than a forged steel knuckle.Forged steel has a higher density than ductile iron.If the part is engieered correctly there is virtualy no difference in weight or strength.

Justin

[Clyde65]

Thanks Scott, I was asking because of the spindAl manufacturers terminology. I appreciate you letting us in on the secret, not that it is but....

[starvinartis]

hmmmm... I cant find the term "spindal" anywhere, when I search it changes the word to "spindle". Thinking I need a new computer now...