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leewdave
Samba Member
Joined: March 30, 2022
Posts: 15
Location: calgary
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 Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2025 10:39 am Post subject: Spindle help ~ 83.5 Vanagon |
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Hello. Changing my hubs on my 83 vanagon. This driver side spindle has some burns, do you think im o.k. with new race and bearings or do i need to replace the spindle?
Thank you. |
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jlrftype7
Samba Member
Joined: July 24, 2018
Posts: 4515
Location: Chicago
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| Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2025 11:19 am Post subject: Re: Spindle help ~ 83.5 Vanagon |
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If those spots don't feel rough to the touch, or can't be really dragged with a fingernail, you're probably fine. Make sure you get the right sized bearings, as the Spindle was smaller on earlier Vanagons and slightly bigger at appox '84 production.
I think the difference is 19mm versus 21mm or something like that. It's here on Samba. Also, VW or time/shops, had been known to mix up early and later spindles on a Vanagon as some of our Members have found out, which means they have to buy one of each for their VW, one side early, and one side later. It happens.
Measure the ID of your current Outer Wheel Bearing and you'll know what you have.
_________________
'68 Westy- my first VW and vehicle/Bus- long gone.- sold it to a traveling Swiss couple....
'67 Type 3 Fastback, my 2nd car- gone
'69 Semi-Auto Stick Shift Beetle-gone
2017 MINI Coopers, our current DDs
‘84 Tin Top - Hilga....Auto |
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leewdave
Samba Member
Joined: March 30, 2022
Posts: 15
Location: calgary
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| Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2025 11:22 am Post subject: Re: Spindle help ~ 83.5 Vanagon |
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| Thank you. I'll give it a go. I have the correct bearings for it. |
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MarkWard
Samba Member
Joined: February 09, 2005
Posts: 18693
Location: Retired South Florida
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| Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2025 11:44 am Post subject: Re: Spindle help ~ 83.5 Vanagon |
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| Clean with some red scotch brite. Test fit your bearings prior to greasing and install. Spindles are rarer every day. I’d say you are ok and can keep an eye out for good used ones for the future. |
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Wildthings
Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2005
Posts: 52277
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| Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2025 2:04 pm Post subject: Re: Spindle help ~ 83.5 Vanagon |
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| Did the bearing lock up causing the inner races to spin? |
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skills@eurocarsplus
Samba Peckerhead
Joined: January 01, 2007
Posts: 17819
Location: sticksville, ct.
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| Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2025 5:40 pm Post subject: Re: Spindle help ~ 83.5 Vanagon |
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I zoomed in
it's rust, not a 'burn' and had it been a 'burn' from a seized bearing it would be all the way around the spindle
you're fine. polish it out and go find something else to worry about
_________________
| gprudenciop wrote: |
my reason for switching to subaru is my german car was turning chinese so i said fuck it and went japanese....... |
| Jake Raby wrote: |
| Thanks for the correction. I used to be a nice guy, then I ruined it by exposing myself to the public. |
| Brian wrote: |
| Also the fact that people are agreeing with Skills, it's a turn of events for samba history |
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Wildthings
Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2005
Posts: 52277
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| Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2025 6:53 pm Post subject: Re: Spindle help ~ 83.5 Vanagon |
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| skills@eurocarsplus wrote: |
I zoomed in
it's rust, not a 'burn' and had it been a 'burn' from a seized bearing it would be all the way around the spindle
you're fine. polish it out and go find something else to worry about |
The spindle surfaces need to be lubricated, no matter what caused these blemishes, whether rust or the fact that the inner races spin on the spindles slowly causing wear which is accentuated if there is no lubricant. The sealing surface needs a thin smear of grease as well. |
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skills@eurocarsplus
Samba Peckerhead
Joined: January 01, 2007
Posts: 17819
Location: sticksville, ct.
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| Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2025 7:06 pm Post subject: Re: Spindle help ~ 83.5 Vanagon |
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^^^^
never once did I say anything about not greasing anything. I simply pointed out the "burn" is a rust stain and can be polished out and is nothing to stress over. somehow water/moisture got in there long enough to cause the rust, probably sat for a while. either way, it's fine
_________________
| gprudenciop wrote: |
my reason for switching to subaru is my german car was turning chinese so i said fuck it and went japanese....... |
| Jake Raby wrote: |
| Thanks for the correction. I used to be a nice guy, then I ruined it by exposing myself to the public. |
| Brian wrote: |
| Also the fact that people are agreeing with Skills, it's a turn of events for samba history |
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leewdave
Samba Member
Joined: March 30, 2022
Posts: 15
Location: calgary
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| Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2025 9:02 pm Post subject: Re: Spindle help ~ 83.5 Vanagon |
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| Wildthings wrote: |
| Did the bearing lock up causing the inner races to spin? |
No, was just upgrading to bigger brakes, noticed it when I pulled the hub off. |
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leewdave
Samba Member
Joined: March 30, 2022
Posts: 15
Location: calgary
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| Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2025 9:03 pm Post subject: Re: Spindle help ~ 83.5 Vanagon |
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| Finished the job. Thanks for the help everyone. |
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Wildthings
Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2005
Posts: 52277
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| Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2025 11:29 pm Post subject: Re: Spindle help ~ 83.5 Vanagon |
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| skills@eurocarsplus wrote: |
^^^^
never once did I say anything about not greasing anything. I simply pointed out the "burn" is a rust stain and can be polished out and is nothing to stress over. somehow water/moisture got in there long enough to cause the rust, probably sat for a while. either way, it's fine |
Don't think I criticized you, I was just stating a fact. The lack of grease in that area can cause rust and/or wear. |
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