Spindle destroyed?

[Paparazzi]

Coming back from Open House last weekend, I was 4 miles from home when there was a loud 'crack' and the steering went immediately wobbly. I braked a little and felt the front left decidedly not well. Changed down quickly and pulled to the side of the road (NY Taconic State Parkway). Couldn't see anything obviously wrong so tried moving a little - a horrendous grinding sound indicated serious issues.

AAA couldn't help me as the parkway is restricted access, so a call to our friendly NY State Troopers and a tow truck later, I made it home.

Up on the lift and my fears were confirmed - the outer wheel bearing was toast.

Today I pulled the entire assembly to see how bad it is. There was all but nothing left of the bearing and the condition of the race on the rotor leaves me thinking I'm going to have to replace it.

https://preview.ibb.co/h8gs55/20170614_162432.jpg
https://preview.ibb.co/jcBEJQ/20170614_162314.jpg

Not only that, but the bearing appears to have welded itself to the spindle. I used a diamond cutting wheel on a Dremel to delicately cut through it but it's just not going to come off. I managed to break a small piece off and what's left of the spindle looks like it would need major attention before being usable with a new bearing.

https://preview.ibb.co/iZ63Ck/20170614_170300.jpg

Looking for advice. Should I attempt to get the bearing off with a torch? Or continue to cut it piece by piece and, assuming I can actually get it all off, sand and polish the spindle?

Or is it too far gone and I should replace the spindle?

As to why it failed, I'm not sure. I removed the right side to check and it looks ... OK. I don't like that there doesn't appear to be much grease on the outer bearing, not sure why, but that could certainly explain what happened to the other one. Both inner bearings are swimming in grease.

[Jeff Kleiner]

Replace it. Good used Fox spindles are a dime a dozen.

Jeff

[42Bfast]

A lesson learned, and quick tip suggestion to help gain an early warning of such issues; I've towed trailers a good bit over the years and encountered a few tire/bearing issues.
A couple years ago I picked up one of the infrared point-and-shoot thermometers, $25.00.
Now, at each stop, I walk the trailer and shoot the tires and hubs. I will know if I have a bearing heating more than others.
For all new builds, might be a handy thing to stop every so often and check some temps.
I certainly plan to do so, someday in the bright and shining future the has my completed kit.

[Just puttering]

If it got hot enough to weld the race on to the spindle, hows the temper of the spindle?

I would replace it

[hom-ade]

How many miles were on this before disaster struck?

[Paparazzi]

Been tracking this on the 'other side'. The spindle will be replaced, as will the bearings - thanks to the generosity of a forum member.

I'm going to remove the cone from this rotor, and replace that and all four bearings. Seems that it could be a combination of not having packed the outer bearings fully/correctly (although the inner ones are swimming in grease) and/or over/under torquing that side. Will redo with extra caution.

I had 1,200 miles on them - but this was the first long run (500+ miles in one day), so the first 700 miles of short runs may not have been enough to get them so hot that they failed. There was no indication before this of any issue - wheel span freely with zero wobble when pulling the tire, but I may try your method, 42Bfast, while I get my confidence back.

[rich grsc]

I always replace the race when I replace the bearing. They should be considered a 'set'. How did you tighten the bearings on the old spindle?

[Paparazzi]

The races were already installed in the rotors - this time I will replace them. From what I remember (was years ago), I torqued them, then backed off slightly. Looking at YouTube I note that you're supposed to spin the wheel to torque, not turn the wrench. I don't remember, but I don't believe I did it that way. Perhaps that introduced some subtle binding.