Rear bearing problem

[muddevil01]

I have a 93 L and I was driving it today and the bearing seized up and the hub came off before I could get it stopped so I guess that I have 2 questions could there be any chance that the spindle can be saved(I doubt it) and if not how hard is it to change it is on the right rear and I know that the spindle nut is reverse thread is there any other secrets that I need to know also where can I find a new spindle

[1988redfordfestiva]

probably not but when u replace is use a counter pin in after you put the big nut in so it doesn't try to do it again

[Festy46]

You have to remove the nuts that hold the spindle on by turning the nuts. Do not try to turn the head of the bolt. The bolts are serrated and pressed or driven into the spindle hub.

[Pu241]

Just to clarify, the nuts are on the back side of the backing plate and you will need to remove the bottom strut bolt to get to the last nut.
Hit everything with PB Blaster and if your lucky, you might get that strut bolt out.
If possible use an impact wrench because if you snap the strut bolt there is much pain ahead of you.
My driver side one came out without to much effort, the passenger side I still haven't got out.

Until you get the drum off you don't know how badly damaged the spindle is.
I have seen some in which the outer bearing seized to the spindle clean up very well, with some work.
Check with Festiva Tunner for details.
I don't know that new ones are available but someone may have a good used one for you.
Place a [WTB] in the [FS] section.

[muddevil01]

ok thanks for the help I can't use an impact as the car is on the side of the road I was able to pull it apart while I was waiting for my wife to get there because I had a new hub with bearings in the trunk but the outer bearing had came apart and the inner race of the outer bearing is welded to the spindle so I think that I am going to pull the parts off of my other car(it is not road ready yet) to get my car home and then go from there

[Pu241]

OK, same scenario as Festiva Tunner had.
You are not likely to be able to pull the last nut from the backing plate.
You will better understand when you try to remove the one from your parts car.
Tunner and I used a nut splitter we got from Advance Auto, I think, and carefully cut the race from the spindle.
Doing as little damage as possible.
Then Tunner spent probably up-wards of and hour filing and sanding it smooth.
Put in new bearings and carefully drove the first 5 miles before checking both the wheel temp and if the badly damaged crush nut we had to re-use was coming off.
Did a number of stops to check this.
But he ultimately drove 200+ miles that night.
I don't know if he ever did replace the spindle.

Tunner can you give him details, because I think this is going to be his best bet unless that lower strut bolt comes out easy.

[Mike McKown]

Sometimes, you can take a punch/hammer and knock the race off the spindle. You can also use a hacksaw to cut the race most of the way through and then split it with a hammer/chisel.

If the new inner race spins freely on the spindle after you clean it up, the spindle is likely junk.

Check the seal surface on the inboard side of the spindle for gouges and scores.

I've fixed spindles that had bearings spun on them and cut them undersize by using a punch to slightly work the surface up so the bearing race will hold snug. Some frown on this. Claim it can cause stress risers and eventual failure. I don't recommend you do it but I haven't had any trouble.

[muddevil01]

ok I have got the spindle off of the parts car I see what you are talking about the strut bolt wasn't stuck but the nut on the back side of the strut bolt was spinning I now have a custom made wrench to reach that nut so now I get to see if I can do it on the side of the road I will report back when(if) I get mine fixed

[Pu241]

You'll get it done!

Hey, I know there are more than a few members in and around Kansas City.
Anyone available to give muddevil01 a hand?

Would like to see the "custom wrench" that could be very useful and chance of getting a pic or two?

[Festiva_tunner]

Check your pms

[muddevil01]

ok I got it done I was able to get my spindle off and believe it or not without removing mt lower strut bolt my struts are different than on my 91 parts car my struts get real skinny the last 6 inches or so I was able to put a short 14mm on a 3inch extension and was able to reach the last bolt thanks for all the help couldn't have done it with out it and festiva tunner sorry I didn't get the pm until I got home