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Thu May 24, 2012 5:29 pm

My spindle appears to have had numerous attempts to reuse the old spindle nut and now the threads are buggered up. So I want to chase them with a die. I think the size is 17mm x 1.00. Can someone confirm that is correct for me?

Thanks,

Paul

Thu May 24, 2012 5:55 pm

Finding a die for that size may be tough. Try getting hold of a thread file, they aren't too expensive and have many uses.

http://www.amazon.com/Nicholson-Thread-Repair-Sing...amp;sr=8-6

The local machine shop you are on friendly terms with might also lend you a universal style thread restorer.

http://www.amazon.com/OTC-7402-Universal-Outside-T...amp;sr=8-3

Thu May 24, 2012 6:28 pm

it might be 18mm x 1.00. and can't tell for sure. amazon has a die that size for $13. Cheaper than a new spindle.

Thu May 24, 2012 7:41 pm

is there any reason why we can't use the bay window spindle nut that clamps instead of peens for locking? I do believe all the bus are the same: 18mm x 1.00.

Thu May 24, 2012 9:08 pm

You are correct sir! 18x1.00

While I have never actually used a Bus unit, I have used clamp style spindle nuts from a Porsche.

Thu May 24, 2012 9:14 pm

914's I know use the same size locking spindle nut as the Bays. Which ones have you used Chris? Do they fit under the dust cap just fine?

Thu May 24, 2012 9:27 pm

Mine are from a 911. A quick search through Pelican parts shows the 911 version, but I didnt see one for the 914. Maybe I just missed it. And yes, they fit under the stock grease caps.

Thu May 24, 2012 9:43 pm

Did a little more looking and the early 911s (up to '73) and 914s use 16x1.00 nut and the '74 through '89 911s use the 18x1.00 nut.

Fri May 25, 2012 9:41 am

Oh man! That's a great mod, I hate the idea of the peened spindle nut more or less holding my wheel on, I know, they've been used for years on countless vehicles, blah blah....but after just recently doing this and peening it, I was thinking there has got to be a better way. Did you get the hard lines mounted up for those jag brakes? I just added the plastic spiral brake line protectors to my flexies last night for a little extra security after swiping them off an xj in the lynnwood pnp, thought about how maybe a stock hard line to flex configuration might have worked out a little smoother at full lock.

Fri May 25, 2012 10:35 am

so if you want to use a clamping nut, Bay window busses used them, and a lot of porsches:
Clamping Nut, 18mm Spindle, (70-95)
Part#: 911.341.673.00
Clamping nut for front wheel spindle. It fits 911 with 18mm spindles(1965-1973), 911(1974-1989), 912 with 18mm spindles(1965-1969), 930(1976-1989), 912E(1976), 924(1977-1982), 928(1993-1995), 944(1983-1991), 968(1992-1995) models. Two required per car.

Still I need to chase my threads though. Further inspection reveals the passanger side threads are all rolled over. Dammit. No Westy this weekend unless someone locally has a 18 x 1 die I can borrow? Irwin makes one - Part No. 7358. I can't find one anywhere locally though.

Fri May 25, 2012 10:43 am

I believe and can be wrong that the following are 18 mm x 1.0

211-405-669 Front Axle Nut, Left 1968 to 1979
211-405-670 Front Axle Nut, Right 1968 to 1979

Please also note that earlier buses used a double lock nut and lock plate.
211-405-671 / 211-405-672 nuts (2 each)
111-205-661 lock plate

All this kind of stuff was also used on various Porsches and some Mercedes.

EDIT: looks like I got beat to this while editing!

Wed Mar 06, 2013 6:59 pm

Has anyone followed through on this to see if the clamping style spindle nuts fit?

Being a person raised on VW link pin suspensions, I was thinking about taking my used Vanagon spindle nuts, grinding off the locking collars, and using them together as a set of double-lock nuts. Any thoughts on this?

Wed Mar 06, 2013 7:11 pm

Christopher said yes he has used them.

I would not do it. Even if you machined then down on a lathe or a surface grinder. This would make sure that the nuts are flat and perpendicular. Then what you would need a thin wrench to hold the inner nut?

Another note is that Vanagon spindle nuts are a 1 time use part.

Thu Apr 25, 2013 1:59 pm

70coupyel wrote: Christopher said yes he has used them.

I would not do it. Even if you machined then down on a lathe or a surface grinder. This would make sure that the nuts are flat and perpendicular. Then what you would need a thin wrench to hold the inner nut?

Another note is that Vanagon spindle nuts are a 1 time use part.
Well why not?

Both late Bay bus to 79 and then Vanagon starting in 80 used a washer 111-405-661 38x20mm between bearing and lock.

Snort wrote: Has anyone followed through on this to see if the clamping style spindle nuts fit?

Being a person raised on VW link pin suspensions, I was thinking about taking my used Vanagon spindle nuts, grinding off the locking collars, and using them together as a set of double-lock nuts. Any thoughts on this?
Early buses used two jamb nuts and a lock plate, then they used this lock and then on Vanagons they used the pinch nut. It is all 18x1.00 mm It will work....

Now to my question and the reason I bring this thread back up. MoFoCo sells the right and left spindle locks for $8 each. Anybody use that brand? It is important that these things work and not crack, and used originals tend to be damaged and the part is NLA it seems even via VW Classic.

So anybody use the MoFoCo ones?????

Thu Apr 25, 2013 2:11 pm

I asked them about availability and they replied that the right hand thread has not been available for a while now. I purchased used Porsche from a popular auction site, fits fine no problems.

Thu Apr 25, 2013 3:49 pm

Snort wrote: I asked them about availability and they replied that the right hand thread has not been available for a while now. I purchased used Porsche from a popular auction site, fits fine no problems.
I found that out too. Right only.

I have my brother looking in our out of state cache of NOS VW parts. He says he saw some, maybe.

I called all around today for left, too.....sigh....

Sun Apr 28, 2013 10:11 pm

The early 944 Porsche uses 18x1.00 pinch nuts but both sides are right hand thread. The bay ones work but they are bulky compared to the 944. Does anybody know if other Porsches or perhaps BMW stuff fits and has left and right hand threads?

Mon Apr 29, 2013 12:00 pm

[email protected] wrote: The early 944 Porsche uses 18x1.00 pinch nuts but both sides are right hand thread. The bay ones work but they are bulky compared to the 944. Does anybody know if other Porsches or perhaps BMW stuff fits and has left and right hand threads?
Yes, 356C and 911 (I think through 89). But they are Porsche priced when getting through the aftermarket.

It has been suggested to use inexpensive aluminum dune buggy ones at a cost of about $5 each...not sure I would use those, though.

Mon Dec 02, 2013 10:18 am

Any News on availability on these clamp nuts?

Btw: I had a nasty accident last week with my split screen van; the Wheel bearing jammed, the centre nuts tightened themselves, and the spindle broke clean off! And I was doing 80 km/h... I couldn't avoid going straight over in the opposite lane, but luckily nobody came towards me right there and then...

So I'm changing to clamp nuts...