HELP REMOVING FRONT SPINDLE'S

poppie · November 23, 2003

I am trying to replacing my left front axle u-joint and the spindle is rusted on. Have tried using a block of wood and a large mallet ( sledge hammer ) and no luck. Anyone have any suggestions?
Am considering starting the garage on fire and waiting till the fire dept leaves to see if the heat might help.

CADDYBILL · November 23, 2003

Just make sure that all of the bolts are off. Them keep at it with the sledge. Keep hitting it all around not just in one spot, eventualy you will get it to move. Also try some penitrating fluid.

Blaine122300 · November 23, 2003

I'm guessing you got your rotor off ok. So all there is holding the spindle on is the 5 small nuts. once you get these 5 nuts off, just take a chisel or a flat blade screwdriver and tap around the whole thing. This should loosen it up. then you should be able to get the screwdriver in there to pry it off. that thin sheetmetal plate (pie tin) that is behind the spindle is what gives you the most problems I think. Make sure you look at your spindle well once you take it off to be sure that there is no pitting or rough scarring on it where the bearings ride. If there is, now would be a good time to replace it. Remember, it is 13 years old, and takes all the weight of your front end through your wheels. If it looks good, don't worry at all about re-using it. Just clean it up and reinstall.

Good luck.

Andy

MustangShane · November 25, 2003

You know another thing that I've found to work is putting the wheel bearing nut back on and... being very careful smacking the nut like it was your in-laws!! It being at the end of the spindle gives you a little more leverage. But beeeeee careful and I always use a dead blow mallet.
Have fun!

lwn · November 25, 2003

Make sure if you have front abs brakes that you remove the bolts that hold on the sensor and the sensor protector.

dgibson · November 25, 2003

Originally posted by MustangShane
... being very careful smacking the nut like it was your in-laws!!

Now that's a phrase that I would NEVER use. When it comes to the inlaws, I would smack it to crush it.

Josh S. · November 26, 2003

Originally posted by lwn
Make sure if you have front abs brakes that you remove the bolts that hold on the sensor and the sensor protector.

Yah what he said...the sensor can get rusted in that little cup inset thing on the spindle. Be careful though of the sensor, my buddy and broke the heck out of his and bent the crap outta the sensor protector sleeve trying to get it out. His was rusted in, and if I remembenr correctly, the ABS sensor was like 100 bucks including the wires and stuff...not cheap!!

Bill MacLeod · November 29, 2003

poppie:

Maybe find a piece of hardwood to fit between the studs. Then beat the crap out of it in a criss-cross pattern with a BFH (or sledge). Be carefull not to smack the studs.

Clean up the mating surfaces with some sandpaper and use anti-seize before putting it back together. If you ever have to do ball joints down the road, then its the same process all over again.

1993 was the first year for 4 wheel abs, so the front sensors are not an issue for poppie. 93/94 require a 12 point 6mm socket to remove the sensor bolts.

Bill M.

poppie · November 29, 2003

I want to thank all of you guys for the helpful hints in getting the spindle off. I finally got it off and found my problem.
As for smacking it like it was the inlaw's I could never do that, as after 23 yrs of the same inlaw's I would trade the wife before I got rid of the her parent's (lol).
And I meant to tell you that the fireman enjoyed the donuts and cider I had waiting for them.

DeRocha · November 29, 2003

I would have responded earlier, but was on vaca. I am glad you got the spindle off. I laughed my @$$ off when people say tap the spindle gently with a rubber mallet and it would come off. I beat mine every which way for over an hour with Zero result.

I ended up using several screwdrivers as wedges to pry the spindle from the knuckle. Even with this method it took 30+ minutes each side.

In this pic you can see the real culprit (a lip on the spindle). This spindle lip is actualy pressed into the knuckle. I wonder if all spindles are this way? I had read a manual and it had a pic of a spindle without this lip. So if it is true then it would explain why some people can remove their spindles easily..

**Update** The easiest way to remove a stuck spindle is to put the large axle bearing nut back on the spindle and pull it off with slide hammer. A few pulls and it yanks right out.

Minivek · December 24, 2003

Hey Derocha!

How did you put that spindle back in afterwards? I have that same darn spindle with a lip a spent half a day chiseling away before being able to seperate it enough to get a screwdriver in...

Thanks

DeRocha · December 26, 2003

After disassembly I sandblasted everything down and coated the mating lip surfaces with anti-seize. You will be able to fit the spindle back on over the studs and start the nuts before things get tight. You then keep tightening each nut 1 turn each until the spindle is seated.... When seated, torque each nut 40-50ft/lbs (1st gen spec).

Note: Use Loctite and a cross pattern when tightening the nuts. I would recommend you replace the Spindle bearings and seals while you have it apart. You use a 3-jaw puller to remove it (AutoZone free rental)..

Bearing (2) (Timkin B2110)
Seal inner (2) (Motorcraft)
Seal outer (2) (Timkin 722109)

Here is my completed re-install. All parts were coated with POR-15.

Minivek · December 26, 2003

Cool man thanks for the tips... That's one cool looking paintjob... might do smeting like that too to prevent rust a bit

SBJ420 · June 21, 2006

I am having the same problem!! But I am not too sure what I should be beating on???
maybe a pic with some pointers! here is were I am at!

I did get the abs off

SBJ420 · June 21, 2006

oh and the gard is off too

DeRocha · June 21, 2006

I have fixed the broken links in my above threads. I have found the easiest way to remove a stuck spindle is to put the large axle bearing nut back on the spindle and pull it off with slide hammer. A few pulls and it yanks right out.

SBJ420 · June 21, 2006

thanks alot! those help, thats what I have been doing. It has been soaking over nite so I got all day to bang on it
Thanks

glfredrick · June 21, 2006

You can also use one of these:

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...&group_ID=1336&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

A slide hammer screws right into the end of the puller and the puller screws onto the spindle. It fits several sizes so it is not a single-use tool.

It is the best IMO -- and you don't ruin the pie pan, though in the salt belt states the rust generally has already ruined it anyway.

sn0border88 · June 21, 2006

if you dont want to pony up for one of those, or they arnt working try heating around the base of the spindle.

Also, there was a thread in the 1991-1994 modified forum about your same problem, run a search for it as it may help.

DeRocha · June 21, 2006

btw I just noticed it looks like you using the OEM jack to support the vehicle..

I wouldn't trust it that much and consider it to be in the same league as a mini donute spare (Light duty temporary use only). As such I would get some jack stands and place them under the beam for additional support..

HELP REMOVING FRONT SPINDLE'S

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