Spindle Nut Question

My new spindle nuts arrived yesterday (you mean they don't have big gouges in them from the factory?!!!).

How in the world to you get that outer washer to fold over the outer jam nut??? I've already broken the tip off one screw driver, and figured I'd better ask, in case there was some secret I wasn't aware of.

TIA.

 

pre bend in a vise just a little if it helps
I use the tip of a pry bar, wedging against one of the hub bolt openings for strength
use just enough of the tip to start the bend, then re-position for the final bend
BE CAREFUL ! I have seen hubs broken from too much leverage used against the hub in non bolt opening ( read reinforced) areas of the hub

 

Hey Tim, where'd you get those new spindle nuts? Mine have those same custom gouges as yours.

 

I ordered mine from Turner 4WD (www.thejeep.com).

The "spindle nut repair kit" (or however they word it) has both nuts, and both washers. I ordered a set for each side. Seems like they were about $4 each.

 

I have seen this done, not done it myself...

install all pieces and torque.
mark along side of nut on washer where you intend to bend.
remove outer nut and washer.
make 2 cuts into side of washer perpendicular (about 3/8 inch apart) to your scribed line going slightly past it.
prebend slightly as mentioned above
reinstall, torque and bend with large screwdriver. this will eliminate half of the stress of trying to bend nearly 3/4 inch of of steel in a confined area on both you and the hub. $.02

 

Very good idea Randy. I think I might give that a try. Might actually do it on two sides, just to be sure.

Thanks!!!!
Tim

 

In the past I have made "pie" cuts with a dremel cutoff wheel along the outside edges, only need to be about 1/8" long. Basically the same idea. Makes it a lot easier.

 

all ya gotta do is keep it from beginning to unscrew, which does not take much metal.

 

Thanks Tim. I'll check Turner's out.

 

I may be totaly wrong on this, but couldn't you just use spindle nuts like those on a 44 and ditch the silly tab bending washer thingy? The nuts on my 44 have little allend screws that lock into slots in a special washer. You have to have a special socket for the nuts, but you need that anyways, and you need the right size allen wrench, but no bending of tabs neccessary.

I also thought there was a ford version that was even simpler.

Its just a thought.

Kevo

 

Quote:
"I may be totaly wrong on this, but couldn't you just use spindle nuts like those on a 44 and ditch the silly tab bending washer thingy? The nuts on my 44 have little allend screws that lock into slots in a special washer. You have to have a special socket for the nuts, but you need that anyways, and you need the right size allen wrench, but no bending of tabs neccessary.

I also thought there was a ford version that was even simpler."


I'm very interested in this idea. I have no idea what the 44 system looks like but if I could use it I would toss out the PITA bend over washers. I've got the dana 30. Anybody ever do this conversion?

 

The allen style you are using came with the Warn automatic hubs. These were usualy found on IH's. As for the later Ford/Chevy nuts, they will work. HOWEVER, the combined width of the stack is too much and will interfere with the back of the hub when assembled. There are two ways to fix this problem. 1) grind the outer nut down. 2) use the old stock nut as the lock nut. I have done this conversion and opted for the second choice. As for the lock washer on the earlier nut set up, you don't have to lock the outer nut. Simply set the bearing pre-load, tighten the lock nut, and fold the washer inward to keep the inner nut from turning.