Spindle confusion. What’s wrong with this picture?

[slpro1207]

I have installed the front spindles, however it is not right. The spindle is clearly marked DSS but it seems backwards. What am I missing? Could this be for the 33 Hotrods?

79618

79619

79620

[Papa]

For the roadster, they need to be swapped. The one marked as driver's side goes on the passenger side and vice versa.

From the manual:

"The spindles are marked DSS (Driver Side Spindle) and PSS (Passenger Side Spindle). These refer to the way they are mounted on the FFR Hot rod, which is rear steer. The FFR Roadster uses these as Front steer so they are mounted opposite. The DSS spindle is mounted on the Passenger side and the PSS spindle is mounted on the Driver side."

Obvious, right?

[Jeff Kleiner]

You have the spindles on the wrong side of the car with the steering arms installed backwards. Mounting ears for the calipers go to the rear, steering arms point forward and angle outward with the wide part of the tie rod end taper pointing down. The DSS and PSS markings are for the Hot Rod.

Jeff

[slpro1207]

Obvious, right?

When all else fails read the manual. Thanks Papa. I am embarrassed.

[Papa]

When all else fails read the manual. Thanks Papa. I am embarrassed.

Don't be! We're all in this together. You want embarrassment, try being an electrical engineer that almost fried his entire electrical system poking around with a test probe. :o

Dave

[SelectivePC]

Haha, when I just installed mine, it took a sec also. We have a 33' also, so I was like ok...Wait a minute.

[SelectivePC]

Don't be! We're all in this together. You want embarrassment, try being an electrical engineer that almost fried his entire electrical system poking around with a test probe. :o

Dave

That would have been a bummer. Details?

[Papa]

That would have been a bummer. Details?

Start here: http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?26460-Did-I-Kill-My-Gauges&highlight=fry+gauges

Then here: http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?26707-No-power-from-Brown-Gauge-Feed-or-Radio-Power-Wires&highlight=fry+gauges

[SelectivePC]

Start here: http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?26460-Did-I-Kill-My-Gauges&highlight=fry+gauges

Then here: http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?26707-No-power-from-Brown-Gauge-Feed-or-Radio-Power-Wires&highlight=fry+gauges

Hahah, noted.

[slpro1207]

Don't be! We're all in this together. Dave

You are right Dave. I could not have gotten through my first build without all of the help I received from everyone on this forum. For that I am so grateful. Thank you to all.

[Big Blocker]

And THAT is why we all love this forum . . . well, actually, the people that hang out here. They are the best group I've ever been associated with and I'm happy to say; "I'm a Factory Five builder / owner".

Just sayin'

Doc

Papa, I feel your pain as a retired electrician and telecommunications / data engineer.

[toadster]

I did the same thing, had everything torqued down and showed my skills - the forum helped 'correct' me :)

one nagging issue now, I am pulling everything apart to swap and I cannot get the spindles to separate from the ball joints - is there some special tool needed? or just BFH?

[ydousurf]

@toadster - A ball joint (pickle) fork and/or BFH too! Keep the nut on some what to avoid damaging the threads. And maybe layers of duct tape to avoid major damage to the part, that is, if your going without the fork, but it should pop free after a couple of hefty whacks - Happy hammering!

Dj

[Norm B]

If you use a ball joint fork you will most likely need a new dust boot or complete ball joint. Loosen the nut to the top of the threads on the stud and give the spindle a couple of sharp taps on the side of the ball joint mounting position. Being newly installed the ball joint should pop out of the spindle.

HTH

Norm

[rich grsc]

Why take it apart? Just swap everything left to right, upper and lower control arms with assembled spindles.

[toadster]

Why take it apart? Just swap everything left to right, upper and lower control arms with assembled spindles.

that's something I didn't even think of... would have to re-space the UCAs but that's probably simpler than separating these darn spindles...

124084 124085

they won't give up!
at this point I'm probably bashing the hell out of the boots enough to replace them :(

[toadster]

probably need to use this tool...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=se6Lo5MizLo

[glastron351]

probably need to use this tool...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=se6Lo5MizLo

I also recommend a ball joint separator...even a cheap one will pay for itself the first time you use it.....

[toadster]

i whacked it good with a hammer and all good now ;)

[CraigS]

I use my 3# sledge hammer.

[Avalanche325]

Just to clarify for new readers. The part you should whack with a hammer is the eye on the spindle that the ball joint goes into. it squeezes the the hole and pops the tapered pin out. The next step is two hammers, one from each side. Never hit the threaded part, even with a nut on it if you plan on reusing the ball joint.
It is amazing how stuck it can be, and still pop out with a hit or two.

[toadster]

Just to clarify for new readers. The part you should whack with a hammer is the eye on the spindle that the ball joint goes into. it squeezes the the hole and pops the tapered pin out. The next step is two hammers, one from each side. Never hit the threaded part, even with a nut on it if you plan on reusing the ball joint.
It is amazing how stuck it can be, and still pop out with a hit or two.

as @Jeff Kleiner pointed out to me in a pic, this worked perfectly!

124135

[32J]

...Or a mechanical engineer that doesn't read the whole manual before starting. I took great care to cut the rear spindles to fit the IRS toe arms, then grind and polish, and then apply some burnt bronze Cerakote to match the diff cover. Then after mounting them, I find out I have to cut off some more to mount the 13" Wilwood brakes! :mad: Not that big a deal. I just have to cover everything up while I brake out the recip saw again.

[J R Jones]

You have the spindles on the wrong side of the car with the steering arms installed backwards. Mounting ears for the calipers go to the rear, steering arms point forward and angle outward with the wide part of the tie rod end taper pointing down. The DSS and PSS markings are for the Hot Rod.

Jeff

How many builders realizing this contribution to "economies of scale" question the appropriateness of akerman, anti-dive and bump steer to both applications?
As a dedicated sheptic, I do.
jim

[richtersand]

I also recommend a ball joint separator...even a cheap one will pay for itself the first time you use it.....

I did the same thing so you are in good company SLPro. I was also bashing and didn’t feel right. The ball joint separator tool did the trick with no violence!