worn stub shaft

[jpeck71]

So as I was fitting my front axle together last night I noticed that I should have paid a little more attention to the stub shaft portion of the driver's side axle shaft. It looks like when my spindle bearing went bye-bye however long ago that was it wore down the area of the stub shaft beneath the spindle bearing. I suspect that when everything gets fit back together I will have a little play between the spindle bearing and the axle shaft.

Should I try and repair that or just replace the stub? I haven't found a great place to get them yet but I've also read that people have tried to build up the shaft with JB weld and either turn it or sand it down with emery cloth. I'm just not sure if that's the right thing to do under that bearing.

I'm putting it back in as is right now since I don't expect the front axle to be turning for a while. I need to get it back together and tested so I can move on to other issues. Now that I know how it all comes apart and goes back together I figure I can do it later to address the axle shaft.

 

[Hedgehog]

Seems like it could be sleeved, but would machining be more expensive than getting another shaft? With all the front axles floating around it seems like an easy matter to find an inexpensive replacement.

 

[jpeck71]

I've done a little more searching and may have found a fairly inexpensive replacement stub shaft. I think that's likely what I'll do. Wish I would have seen that a few months ago, I could have taken care of it now. Oh well. Like I said, now I know how it comes apart and it should be easier now that all the dirt and rust has been taken off.

 

[Old Dog]

get a new (used) stub shaft for sure.

 

[Hedgehog]

How are your spindle bearings? If they are at all questionable, change'em.

 

[jpeck71]

Spindle bearings are good I think. The side with the bad stub shaft was completely destroyed and I ended up replacing the spindle as well as the bearing. The other side is good.