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Bent spindle?

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Old Dec 7, 2010 | 12:43 AM
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Bent spindle?

Just replaced both upper and lower control arms. The guy at the alignment shop said the right front spindle is bent, and needs replacing. The car is pulling really hard to the right. What is this spindle? Is it the cylindrical piece that fits inside the hub behind the rotor?
 
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Old Dec 7, 2010 | 06:30 AM
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Is this a 2WD or 4WD/AWD? What year?

Generally the spindle is the rod that the wheel bearings ride on, sounds like generally what you are describing. You probably need to replace the associated steering knuckle to get the spindle.

-Rod
 
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Old Dec 7, 2010 | 12:38 PM
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1996 4wd xlt. So is the spindle what sits inside the steering knuckle, on the end of the CV joint then?
 
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Old Dec 7, 2010 | 01:45 PM
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Since it's 4WD they're probably really saying the knuckle appears to be bent. The wheel bolts to the hub assembly. The hub asssembly contains the wheel bearings and the outer CV joint has a spline shaft that mates with splines in the hub bearing. The combination of the spline shaft and hub basically makes up what would be the "spindle" in a 2WD vehicle. The hub and bearing assembly can be replaced independently from the knuckle.

About the only way I can understand this getting "bent" would be if the knuckle arm that the outer tie rod end connects to were bent. If that's the case it seems like the inner tie rod end and possibly rack and pinion assembly also had issues.

-Rod
 
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Old Dec 7, 2010 | 01:56 PM
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So in terms of what to replace, what all am I lookin at?
 
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Old Dec 7, 2010 | 06:09 PM
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4 x 4 knuckle with hub and disc mounted

http://www.clubfte.com/users/racergu...of100_0081.JPG
 
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Old Dec 7, 2010 | 06:11 PM
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photo off removing ball joint from lower part of knuckle. see the CV drive spline in center

http://www.clubfte.com/users/racergu...of100_0080.JPG
 
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Old Dec 8, 2010 | 02:25 PM
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I was told my best bet was to buy a used or "refurbished" spindle on ebay. im having trouble distinguishing whats what while i search around on ebay. is it possible someone could bring up an example item? Thanks!

1996 explorer xlt 4wd 4.0l
 
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Old Dec 9, 2010 | 12:30 PM
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Originally Posted by WillFargo
I was told my best bet was to buy a used or "refurbished" spindle on ebay. im having trouble distinguishing whats what while i search around on ebay. is it possible someone could bring up an example item? Thanks!
1996 explorer xlt 4wd 4.0l
Look at post #6.....
 
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Old Dec 9, 2010 | 02:14 PM
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Looks like someones rotor to me, i've seen the picture. i was wondering if someone could pull up what they believe to be the right part on an ebay or rockauto type store
 
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Old Dec 9, 2010 | 07:15 PM
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I would suspect the shop is referring to item #1 in this diagram.

-Rod
 
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Old Dec 9, 2010 | 09:37 PM
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Originally Posted by shorod
I would suspect the shop is referring to item #1 in this diagram.

-Rod
I dont think the guy in the shop knows what he is talking about, the parts that coincide with a 2WD spindle are comprised of the cage bearing and the outer section of the half shaft which fits through the bearing..

I suggest you go back and have then explain which part they think is bad..
 
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Old Dec 9, 2010 | 10:22 PM
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I dont think you have a real good idea of what your doing. You need to talk the the mechanic or get another guy to look it over and tell you what is wrong, if anything. RAndomly trying to figure out what someone said and trying to match up parts to that is not a good way to repair a truck.
 
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