Has anyone re-threaded early Ford spindles?

I got myself a stock '40 Ford front axle set-up. The axle looks good but the spindles have rusted pretty bad. I think I could use them if i could get some good threads on the end. Could I use a die of the next smaller size and it would stil have enough holding power? Has anyone built-up the ends with weld and put and good (stock) thread on them? I know they are hardened steel, but could it be done safely?

 

Spindles are cheap, find some mo-betta ones.

 

[ QUOTE ]
Spindles are cheap, find some mo-betta ones.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm not a Doctor, but couldn't agree more.

 

The spindles I see advertised are expensive, but definitely, BUY MORE! Then send me the old ones. I would use a (I HATE this word!) metric die the next size smaller. I use a thread file when possible on these threads. drj, what do you consider cheap?

 

Life is expensive, Hardware are cheap.
never take any shortcuts on Brake,suspension,steering components.

With that said, the metric solution should work well if it's done well.

 

Yeah,what he said.
Either the next smaller size,or the metric one.
Just make sure you use a similar wide(high?) nut,and fine threads.

 

What is the thread-size on a 40 spindle? One of mine got knocked off the workbench and damaged the threads on the very end.

 

If they're really that rust damaged, do as the good doctor says and junk em.

That said, I bet that wire-wheeling them and running a thread file over them would clean em up so that new spindle nuts would fit.
Spindle nuts are usually available at for-real parts stores.
Look in the Dorman bolt department.

It probably wouldn't hurt to run the proper (meaning stock size) die over them for clean up, but I wouldn't cut them down to the next size.
There's a reason they are the size they are and if Ford felt that a smaller spindle nut would have done the job you can bet the smaller nut would be on there already.

 

[ QUOTE ]
What is the thread-size on a 40 spindle? One of mine got knocked off the workbench and damaged the threads on the very end.


[/ QUOTE ]

NoBux - you need one of these.

 

If you find you have most of but not quite enough original thread after thorough cleaning, I think a SMALL drop in size would be OK, being careful not to leave a sharp step between new and old diameters. To see if a suitably tiny step is available, find one of the online thread charts that interfiles godless metric sizes with real American sizes, and see if there's something that will rethread available metal.
Having cut threads here instead of rolled is a theoretical hazard, but root diameter of spindle is pretty big and I'd guess this would be safe in the real world. I would give new threads a very good polishing on wire wheel.
I have seen old crusty spindles with a VERY bad job of this, looked like they'd been cut down a quarter inch and then rethreaded by a drunken sharecropper with a hatchet, that seemed to have lived out there service life just fine. Wheel was probably actually held on by the cotter pin. We're talking really damn good tough forgings here.

 

If the threads are that bad, what about the seal surface area? That can be fixed too but is the few dollars saved worth all the effort. If you have to pay someone, then it's a loss.

 

I just re threaded mine with this split die. It worked great. about $20 bucks plus shipping

 

@Pewsplace 17 years late to the party though

 

Ya , but the party is still going lol.

 

Thats just a really aestheticly pleasing tool.

 

Some one was recently looking for a similar tool. I was with the “is that a flaring tool” crowd.

Nice stuff for sure

 

I bought a used " one of these tools " 1 1/2 years ago at the Hershey flea market. It cost me $ 45.00, used, but I repaired a pair of Ford spindles with it. I consider it money well spent.

 

They can be fixed, this is a spindle I repaired for an RV.

 

I, personally, would either buy some brand new ones for around $250, or jump on these...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1937-1938-...-/143930062041?_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49292

Sent from my SM-G950U using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

Shoot - this thread is from 2004? Lol

Sent from my SM-G950U using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

Cut and welded steering arms? I’d pass and look for a different pair.

 

Always seems to be 37-40 spindles on the HAMB for sale for around 150.00. I've done dozens of early Ford spindles and when I take them to the machine shop to be bead blasted and re bushed they always clean up the threads without asking.

 

You're right; I didn't even notice that!

Sent from my SM-G950U using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

I do not think any welding on a spindle is a good idea as you do not know diffence it has made to the structure of the original metal.

 

due to -19 time stands still as seen here

 

I cannot say that I have re-threaded one but I have chased the threads on a bunch of old Ford (and other brands) spindles. I guess I would not be opposed to welding one up and cutting it again if I had access to a machine shop but if one is that far gone it can sit on the shelf until I cannot find one to replace it.

 

You can always cut the arms off and use bolt on arms, but then you'd have more money in them than a nice pr of originals off the HAMB.

 

Funny I got a pair of brand new repop round backs that I have less then 100 dollars invested in. Someone will know that they are not gennie ford but I don't care. It is really hard to tell if they are originals or not at 70 MPH LOL

 

@porknbeaner , are those forgings or cast that you got for less than $100?
You know what they say about cast axles, I’d be even more wary of a cast early Ford spindle.

 

Forged steel. Someone bought them and then changed projects. I don't think that anyone makes a cast spindle.

There are a few sets of round back spindles in the classifieds now cheap enough to not bother rebuilding any. Good originals but you got to scroll.