GM Big Bearing Spindle Question

[t120r]

Can the big bearing spindles be machined down to the small bearing size safely?

 

[broncnaz]

Yes its only the inner bearing journel that needs to be turned down to bronco size. once done its basically the same as a bronco spindle as far as strenght.

 

[Ranchtruck]

Yup, did two sets and they came out great. I welded a flat plate on the end of one of the bearing nuts and center drilled it. That gave me a way to hold the threaded end centered with the big flange end in the chuck. I tried using just the chuck but the spindle kept tweaking when I tried cutting it.

I also had to make a special tool to cut the radius where the spindle shank meets the step. You don't want a stress riser there. I used a carbide to do the rest of it and polished the sealing surface while I was at it.

The other option is machining a spacer to fit on the stock bronco spindle to move the inner bearing over. There's still enough space for the seal to ride on, so that way works too.

 

[t120r]

Are the caliper brackets for these big spindle bearings useable as well?

 

[broncnaz]

yes the caliper brackets work fine. the only differance is that spindle with its larger bearing journel

 

[73stallion]

yep, caliper brackets are the same, and i've had the spindles machined down before too.