My machinist friend just finished machining the front axle. Had to bush the top holes as they were worn. Here's my question to you guys out there. After cleaning up the two surfaces that the spindle bushings ride on, the gap was to large even with all the new meat on the new spindle bushings. So since the top surfaces of the axle were wore the most before we put in the top bushings he made up spacers that are held in place with the top bushing. The spacers are under a 1/16 of an inch, and now the spindles are within the 1 to 2 thousands fit. Will this be safe to use this way?
John,
It would have been perfectly safe if you used no shim washers at all. Still, no harm in what you've done.
Some people use a close fit here so they can torque down on the kingpin bolt and add a little drag to the spindle movement. This can reduce shimmy. However, it's a poor "cure" for shimmy, more of a band-aide.
Correct me if I am wrong. This last weekend we just had a Model T University in West Bend with about 40 guys. The instructor stated that the shims(spacers) should go on the bottom under the lower bushing. That the upper bushing will take most of the weight and punishment since that is where the most force is.
I am not a mechanic so I cannot state this in the correct terms. Maybe it doesn't really matter, but that was his suggestion.
Old post, but this is the closest thing the search has brought to me. Maybe someone out there can answer my question. Is there any advantage to putting shims between the bushing and the spindle as opposed to between the bushing and the axle? My axle has worn too large, so my idea is to take the old bushings and make shims from them. Is there anything wrong with this plan?
Jared, the way I read John's initial post is that he has done as you suggest. His spacers are held in place by the top bushes, presumably held under the head of the bush. Otherwise they would be held in place by the kingpin.
I have done this before, putting the spacers under the heads of the bottom bush where there is little load.
Hope this helps.
Allan from down under.
I'm just wondering if there's any reason to remove the lower bushing. I already pressed it in, then found out the axle was too worn. I'd hate to remove it and risk ruining the bushing.
Jared
don't worry about it.