I have a 1959 F-250 4x4 fire truck with 4 worn studs on the front rear end spindle arm where the steering arm mounts. The four studs were previously repaired by rethreading the stud holes for larger studs and later added helicoils to help tighten them. Now I have 1 tight, 2 semi tight and 1 loose nut on these studs. Does anyone have a suggestion to tighten them or know where I can purchase one of these NOS spindle arm castings? Someone suggested welding the steering arm to the spindle arm, is this possible? I drive this truck to fire truck musters and we want to arrive safe. Can anyone help? Thank you.

 

I have an interest in this thread.
This seems to be a weak spot on the early Dana 44. Both hubs on my 59 have some spindle bolt holes repaired, and the top king pin bearing retainer studs heli-coiled over the years.
I don't think welding them is a good idea. But you could have a machine shop weld and rethread the holes.

PS Welcome to the Orphanage! We like pictures!

 

Welcome, and yes, Pictures. Some of us are partial to 59s, and the bigger trucks and those of us that like this stuff prefer them in the words of Bob Seeger, 'way up firm and high'. Sounds like a cool rig!

 

i would not weld the arm to the spindle. if im not mistaken you have to take that off if you every want to have the front end aligned. worst case i would weld studs in the spindle. then secure the arm to that with nuts. that way you could still remove it if need be.

 

The steering arm has been welded onto the spindle on my 64 4x4 but it doesn't make any sense how are you supposed to service the king pin bearing or remove the spindle in currently putting in a 78 high pinion axle instead of messing with fixing my closed knuckle