#1779
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    Keymaster

    Item 6

    Tag Axle Spindles and Inner Oil Seals

    Here’s where the inner seal of the hub rides on the spindle. This is NOT the tag; it’s the drive axle hub in the picture. The big radius is excellent—almost impossible to misfit and nick the seal going together.

    On the tag spindle, the design is different. This carries through to the mid-’90s and in some aspects to this day with round nuts and pinch nuts.

    Look at the seal riding surface on the tag spindle compared to the drives. The 90° edge is quite problematic. It’s important to monitor the backside of the wheel to ensure the seal isn’t nicked on this sharp edge. The seal only holds a pint of oil and can drain quickly if it leaks. Keep an eye on it until you confirm it’s been properly serviced.

    When reassembling, index the hub before disassembly. Count how many exposed threads are on the spindle. This is critical for novices. Set the inner nut (a round nut) and snug it. Turn the hub while hitting with a large rubber mallet, snug the nut again, and repeat until the nuts and washer expose the same amount of threads as before disassembly.

    After setting the inner nut correctly and ensuring the seal is fully seated, turn the round nut back a tick until it’s free, then tighten it by hand, finding the exact spot where it touches the bearing.

    Next, turn it back loose approximately 50° (a rough estimate for a round nut). Regular nuts use exactly one flat spot backed off. If done correctly, you’ll feel a tiny jiggle if you grab the hub. After running up the second locking nut, the jiggle should disappear. This should be close to correct. Some suggest a couple of thousandths of play is acceptable, but this may cause scuffing on the spindle where the inner races of the bearings ride.

    The steer axle has a similar spindle design.

    Who will be the next test pilot?

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