Author Topic: Steering spindle sleeves  (Read 3943 times)

Offline Azchallengerboy

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Steering spindle sleeves
« on: October 25, 2015 - 09:59:51 AM »
 Has anyone had any experience with Doctor Diff's spindle sleeves? I bought a pair of sleeves and seals to use on my 1971 Challenger spindles.  Any information that someone can help me with is greatly appreciated.

Azchallengerboy




Offline djw383

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Re: Steering spindle sleeves
« Reply #1 on: October 25, 2015 - 10:19:11 AM »
Work Great! Just as easy as they sound so you buy cheaper and safer 1 piece rotors locally for 73-74 ebody.

Offline Azchallengerboy

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Re: Steering spindle sleeves
« Reply #2 on: October 25, 2015 - 10:28:04 AM »
OK, here is what is going down with my spindle. I drop the sleeve on the spindle and it's to long, I can only get a thread or two started on the spindle, I take the sleeve off, put the brake rotor on and the bearing nut  almost bottoms out.

Azchallengerboy

Offline djw383

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Re: Steering spindle sleeves
« Reply #3 on: October 25, 2015 - 10:30:38 AM »
What rotors are you using? Sourced from where? Could they be the wrong rotor?

Offline Azchallengerboy

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Re: Steering spindle sleeves
« Reply #4 on: October 25, 2015 - 10:41:34 AM »
Autozone is where and they only have one rotor called out for 1973, for 1971  rotor is said to not be  available. The number called out is 5314, that's what I have, I've looked at every conceivable combination and nothing seems to look correct. Now knowing that this is a forty plus year old car, I thought just maybe someone has swapped out the spindles for another year. The spindle  measures out to be 5 1/2 inches long, is this correct :clueless:

Offline Azchallengerboy

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Re: Steering spindle sleeves
« Reply #5 on: October 25, 2015 - 10:52:21 AM »
Would any of you have the correct  knuckle spindle part number? I can  barely make out the part number on the knuckle, I think it reads 2535683. I've tried to run that number but  could not find any thing .

Offline HP2

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Re: Steering spindle sleeves
« Reply #6 on: October 25, 2015 - 11:00:27 AM »
Is the spacer full seated on the spindle shaft? IIRC, there is a radius on both the spindle and the spacer and these need to flush up perfectly to allow teh rotor to seat.

Offline Azchallengerboy

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Re: Steering spindle sleeves
« Reply #7 on: October 25, 2015 - 11:11:26 AM »
 Yes, I do understand how the radius sets up  against the  radius where the Bearing should set.  Here is a little more information that might help. I took off the original rotors that came on the spindles and they are Kelsey Hayes originals with the small inner hub's, part number KH 85184/55755, that number is on the inside of the brake rotor hub.

Offline djw383

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Re: Steering spindle sleeves
« Reply #8 on: October 25, 2015 - 11:19:54 AM »
Maybe an email to Doctor Diff with the numbers..he is quick to respond. Doctordiff@Gmail.com

Offline 1 Wild R/T

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Re: Steering spindle sleeves
« Reply #9 on: October 25, 2015 - 11:23:50 AM »
What calipers do you have? in 70-71 would be single piston calipers but your spindle part # starting with 25 makes me think you might have the 68-69 four piston stuff.... Typically part number changes connect to years & 25XXXXX is earlier, 28 & 29XXXXX are typical 70 part numbers....
JS27N0B 70 Challenger R/T Convertible  FJ5 Sublime, Show Poodle w/90,000 miles since resto
WS27L8G 68 Coronet R/T Convertible  PP1 Bright Red, Project
RM21H9E 69 Road Runner Coupe R4 Performance Red, Sold...
5H21C  65 Falcon 2 dr Wagon... Dog Hauler...

Offline Azchallengerboy

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Re: Steering spindle sleeves
« Reply #10 on: October 25, 2015 - 11:32:14 AM »
Yes, I am going to do just that, call an ave chat. I thought just maybe the spindles were earlier, Thanks very much for your  insight to this small problem I have. You asked the type  caliper that I have, it is the single piston pin type floating caliper. It bolts straight up to the  knuckle.

Azchallengerboy

Offline 1 Wild R/T

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Re: Steering spindle sleeves
« Reply #11 on: October 25, 2015 - 11:45:45 AM »
Pin style caliper is correct but they use an adapter, the adapter bolts to the spindle & the pins screw into the adapter...
JS27N0B 70 Challenger R/T Convertible  FJ5 Sublime, Show Poodle w/90,000 miles since resto
WS27L8G 68 Coronet R/T Convertible  PP1 Bright Red, Project
RM21H9E 69 Road Runner Coupe R4 Performance Red, Sold...
5H21C  65 Falcon 2 dr Wagon... Dog Hauler...

Offline Katfish

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Re: Steering spindle sleeves
« Reply #12 on: October 25, 2015 - 01:04:48 PM »
Here's a pic of the 73-76 spindles for reference, sounds like the 5 1/2" length is correct.
As you know your bearing diameter is smaller.


Offline Azchallengerboy

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Re: Steering spindle sleeves
« Reply #13 on: October 25, 2015 - 01:42:48 PM »
Thanks Katfish for the  dimensions. My  knuckle spindle  measures out the same height but the inboard bearing inner dimension is only 1 1/4".

OK, so I am finding out I have a montage of parts which lead me to believe I had a true 1971 upper, lower, and  knuckle spindle with a 1971 dust plate bolted to the  knuckle spindle and Kelsey Hayes rotors mounted. I  also read here on the website that if you use the 71 dust plates you have to trim off the inner flange to allow the new 73 rotor to set correctly on the spindle.  I've now trimmed off the inner flange on the dust plate and now the rotor sets correctly in place. It looks like the only part of the sleeve seal kit that I got from Doctor Diff is the seals. It's not his fault that it didn't need the sleeves at all.

I will put all together and see if it work.  I really don't think that new spindles that are correct in every way will change the outcome.  This is just a streetcar that looks nice and doesn't have to be very accurate in documentation or parts.

Wish me luck,
Azchallengerboy

Offline 1 Wild R/T

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Re: Steering spindle sleeves
« Reply #14 on: October 25, 2015 - 01:56:22 PM »
If your spindle inner bearing surface is 1.25 & the new bearing measures 1.375 than you need the sleeve...  The raised center of the dust shield you trimmed was likely your issue... 
JS27N0B 70 Challenger R/T Convertible  FJ5 Sublime, Show Poodle w/90,000 miles since resto
WS27L8G 68 Coronet R/T Convertible  PP1 Bright Red, Project
RM21H9E 69 Road Runner Coupe R4 Performance Red, Sold...
5H21C  65 Falcon 2 dr Wagon... Dog Hauler...