HELP.. Spindle stripped

No need for the should-a, could-a, would-a... I'm already kicking myself..

Added in 1/2" spacers this morning with the LCA disconnect/swing-down" method. Passengers side changed out like a dream... Got over to the drivers side, ready to put everything back together and BOOM... it seems as though I stripped the start of threads where the LCA connects to the spindle. The threads of the female spindle.. not the bolts.. any ideas???

 

Chase the threads with a tap as a last ditch before replacing the spindle

 

what do you mean stripped the start of the threads, the bolts look to be snugged down to the cap already? sounds like you stripped the threads...two ways to repair, I would recommend a new part, but you may be able to helicoil and reassemble, either way, the part has to come out for repair.... I wouldn't do helicoil, just in case of some kind of failure of helicoil fix down the roadie, especially with the extra strain of a spacer...

bummer....

 

The pics is just showing everyone the part and the bolt locations.. The bolts are out, but the spindle is the part that is stripped..

 

then you need either a new spindle, or go for the helicoil, not recommended IMHO...

 

Being such a critical part I personally wouldn't use a helicoil, especially if both are stripped. If as you say only the first couple of threads are gone then try tapping them and get new bolts. If that doesn't work then I'd find a salvage yard or pick-n-pull and get a used spindle.

 

I would also have a large concern about running a tap down, just how well will the remaining threads hold??? not worth the chance...

I agree, new or used, you gots to replace it....

 

Short term fix is to get a tap and try to clean the threads and get the bolts in.

Long term fix is to get a new spindle.

They show up for sale here quite often and pretty cheap. Shipping to HI is gonna cost you...

 

Tried tapping with a new bolt as it would have been hard to find an exact tap tool for the size and fine thread...

Ended up getting the last driver's side knuckles (spindles) on the island. Don't ask how much I paid for an OEM part... if I had more time and money I would have just switched to a 4" spindle lift.

Chalked up a DIY install and paying a bit more than a shop would have charged me for the full install but now with another notch in my DIY belt...

FigUred the problem was that I did the install in front of the house on the street with not level ground. When I did the drivers side ( higher ground side), the knuckle and the LCA were not lined up straight. Hence, the stripped knuckle. Reinstall consisted of attaching the knuckle first then attaching the UCA.

Tomorrow of to install LR-UCAs ( shop install, even through I could definitely do it especially now...) and alignment at the same time....

 

Doesn't sound like the threads were stripped or pulled out, more like you just cross threaded then you started to install the bolt and then it wouldn't thread in properly.

If that's the case, you probably could have just located a tap and chased the threads, cleaning them up and continued on with no issues.

Still though, if the threads were clear and the bolts could thread in, even i the first threads had pulled out, why not just go with a longer bolt of the same style and grade?

Glad to hear you got it resolved.

PK

 

Glad you got everything worked out. Like you said, the UCA install is pretty easy, but the shop will be handy in pressing out the old upper ball joints... those can be a pain!

 

Here is a pic of my knuckle.. As you can see, the left side is smooth for the first 1/8" or so... other side looks better, but was starting to do the same thing. A longer bolt wouldn't have worked as the stock bolt is nearly the max length for the knuckle..

Actually I did have to locate sub bolt which was a bit longer. Toyota was backordered on the stock bolt. Needed a couple of washers to take up the space as I didn't want to cut the bolt and risk another fail...

 

Sorry to revive an old thread. What is the spindle bolts thread size? Mine is missing today and need to get a new bolt asap. Thx

 

yup

 

Goddammit, responded to old thread