MTFCA Forum

Correct me if I'm wrong...
The spindle/wheel bearing threads are Rt hand on the left and left hand on the right.
I have a loose kingpin bushing on the left and found everything I need to replace them.
I also found a spindle that looks like new, bushings nice and tight with a NOS kingpin.
I plan on just swapping spindles, this one has RH threads, for the left side ??

Another question...
Do you think that replacing the spindle will change the toe setting much ?

There is a reason why they are threaded that way. They are threaded to loosen up when turning in the way the wheel turns when the car is going forward. The washer with the tab and the cotter pin keep the jamb nut in place and theoretically will not come loose while driving. However, when you have the spindle on the wrong side, the thread will tighten the bearing and could cause the wheel to lock up while driving causing you to lose control of steering. it might be possible to find a bearing of the right size without the threads and replace the bearing with the unthreaded one. The later cars from Model A on used the same type washer and jam nut so it should not be a problem with the steering if you use that type bearing.
Best fix would be to replace the bushings and spindle bolt and use the correct spindle.
Norm

Norm. I think this IS the correct spindle, just making sure before I take it apart.
RH threads is the left side, correct ?? That's what I gather form your explanation

I don' have the time now to change bushings and ream, find the tools...
I think I can just swap spindles in an hour or so.

In the condition that spindle is in (without the steering arm) you may also ID the spindle by where the steering arm enters. The spindle will have a healthy countersink to clear the radius on the shoulder of the arm and will have a FLAT face for the nut to seat on. Prior to '26, spindles are all theoretically interchangeable, though not identical. You would NOT want a '26-27 spindle on an earlier car unless they were matched as that would lower the front end. And yes, if you have a normal, right hand thread, that spindle belongs on the driver's side.

Thanks Scott...
How's that for about an hour ??
All Done, all tight. Sighting down the tires, doesn't look like toe has changed any.

However, DO measure the toe-in anyway. While most spindles were carefully indexed and machined true, I have seen spindles swapped resulting in a change of about a quarter inch (sometimes enough to ruin a tire in a few hundred miles). I have seen photos (on this forum!) that were off much more than that. So put checking the toe-in on your list of things to do when you have a few more minutes. I do not think anybody can sight that little a change.
One of the nicest looking spindles I have ever seen!

Thanks Wayne, I will measure the toe ASAP.
I have done a lot of alignments on modern stuff in the past. I'm pretty good at sighting the tires to center the wheel, just a double check on a machine. I sight front and rear of the rim/tire in relation to the rear tire...I think it might be in just a bit too much. The steering wheel is still centered, so it can't be off much.
Just got back from a drive and it did really well. Always did steer decent, just a little pull to the right on a crown, THAT is noticeably better and it feels a little tighter.

IN My quest, I found several bolts and bushings...

Left side or drivers side on common US cars and TTs are right hand thread sould not change it much
If the are is the same style

On a side note re. RH and LH threads. Don't always assume the nuts are on correctly. I tried to remove a bearing locknut one time and worked and worked, cussed, grunted, etc., etc. and couldn't make it budge. Finally, out of pure desperation, I tried turning it the "wrong" way, yep, it screwed right off! OK, what's going on here? Hmmmm, spindle threads looked a bit "wonky". Somehow, someone in the past had managed to thread a RH nut on a LH spindle(or vice/versa, don't recall which) The bearing was threaded on correctly. The threads on the nut were nearly perfect, they cut/formed the spindle threads like they had been cut with a die. The bearing unscrewed without much difficulty, but the spindle threads left a bit to be desired after all of that as did my demeanor. Dave

Dave, I would bet someone took a die to the spindle and rethreaded it. I doubt, if you forced the nut on, it would survive and come back off.

So..... the right threads left. Right?

Yes

Possibly Dave, but I don't think so, the bearing threads were correct. It screwed off in the correct way. Dave

Looks like the passenger side spindle

Dave, To tell which side the spindle is for look at the whole where the arm goes thru and you will find a radius edge that goes on the inside, hold it so that the radius is on the insie this will let you know which side it is for .....

Update...
I got around to checking the toe today.
I read 1/2" toe-in. Adjusted one turn in and now have 1/8" toe-in. Rainy, but maybe later I can road test it.