So, what are spindles made of?
Specifically, the "Tall" spindles....

I am guessing that they are forged steel, but as I said I am guessing. Anybody KNOW?

K

Chevello, I'm not sure what they are made of, but have put in a call to a long time machinist friend of mine to see what he says. They are probably just 1040 mild steel. They aren't going to be made out of some funky alloy like some cranks or connecting rods. What ever the material is, it's soft, hit one with a file and it'll cut like butter. I'l let you know what I find out from the friend.
HMMMMM....... Whatchu gona make.I like makin' stuff????? Mama says, I make stuff gooood. I wanna help , I promise not git in the way. Please?

I'm guessing its G3000 or G2000 grey cast iron. Same thing cylinder blocks are generally made out of.

Easy to cast with especially with GM's "lost foam" casting technique that they've used for years on cylinder heads.

Joe

They look cast with the 'gate' for the material in the mold on the front side in the big arch from the steering am up to the top of the spindle. If you look at this photo you can see the bump where the gate is Spindle (http://www.buffnet.net/~airrj/images/MyChevelle/CBB/Hub-mounted.jpg). If they were forged they would have a wider less noticeable parting line. And the actual spindle stub is a seperate part and is pressed into the casting.

And I'm with MAX, what are we making?

i dont know what they are made of but i think the spindle axle is forged and pressed into the cast spindle body.

Some are 2-piece, bit some are one piece too. I have a couple of the tall spindles, one you can see where the snout is pressed in and on the other, it just looks carved out of the forging (casting?).

The older Chevelle Spindles look like one piece too. I'll have to look closer.

Just trying to figure out if the material is weldable. I have done it to racecar spindles, but they get replaced a lot more often than street car ones.

Max, if you promise not to get in the way, you kin he'p :D

K

Originally posted by Chevello:

Just trying to figure out if the material is weldable. I have done it to racecar spindles, but they get replaced a lot more often than street car ones.
Here is the kicker. I've cut into the tall spindles and can tell that they are cast as the sawzall cuts through them like butter. Also, from what RJ said, you can also obviously tell that they are cast by the wide parting line in the casting.

You can weld on a cast metal, but don't expect it to hold or have any amount of significant regidity.

Good luck with your project!!

BTW, I thought we were going to cast a new tall spindle that would relocate the steering arm. :(

That's something I would like to try.

Joe

The tall spidles are cast. Stock spindles are forged.

Originally posted by 72SSAbody:
BTW, I thought we were going to cast a new tall spindle that would relocate the steering arm. :(

That's something I would like to try.

Joe I'm going to Harbor Freight Tools tomorrow. What tools will I need to cast new spindles? graemlins/clonk.gif ;)

maybe use a mechanical way to connect the parts in addition to welding. use tung and grove or clamps, brackets, pins, bolts anything so that there is nothing relighing on a weld alone. guys here including me can help check any stress analasys.

Originally posted by Q-ship:
The tall spidles are cast. Stock spindles are forged. Uh, You mean the original spindles are forged and the later model ones are cast?

I think I found a better way anyhow <evil grin> wait til you guys see :D
Just gotta figure out how to get past the useless bro inlaw's stuff to get the car in the air.

K