S14 Spindle / hub assembly (Driftworks) Question - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

sentradude · 04-17-2019, 02:13 PM

Hey everyone, I'm running into some issues and need input. I have purchased Driftworks drop knuckles and 5 Lug hubs from 240sxconversions (fronts) and I am having a heck of a time with getting the hubs on to the spindle... Every video I've watched it seems the hub should just slide on to the spindle but mine go on about half way and stop.. Without pressing the hubs on to the spindles they wont go on.. I don't want to mess anything up and was hoping someone could measure the STOCK spindle with a micrometer/caliper and tell me what diameter they get, is it 34mm? What should the inner dia. of the bearing be on the hubs? Anyone else run into something similar to this? THANKS IN ADVANCE.

derass · 04-17-2019, 06:21 PM

Are you sure the knuckles are for S14?

Are you sure you have S14 hubs and not S13 conversion hubs?

sentradude · 04-17-2019, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by derass

Are you sure the knuckles are for S14?

Are you sure you have S14 hubs and not S13 conversion hubs?

Yes and yes.... super frustrating as I don't want to press them on as I've tried it once and when I tried to pull the hubs off the bearing races came apart. Do I try to sand the spindle down a bit?

sentradude · 04-19-2019, 12:51 PM

Bump anyone can help please it would be much appreciated.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

tacotacotaco · 04-19-2019, 01:13 PM

On most aftermarket parts the tolerances are never perfect. With some of the gktech units we had to sand the spindle a bit or measure out and decide if the tolerance was close enough to see if pressing it on would work without destroying the race.

speedfiend · 04-19-2019, 04:09 PM

I have the Driftworks "Grip" Knuckles on my s14 and had zero issues installing my hubs onto the knuckles. Like tacotacotaco mentioned though, tolerences are different when it comes to aftermarket parts. If I were you Id do what he said and just sand the spindles down a bit until the hubs slide on fairly easily.

Have you measured the I.D. of the hubs to see exactly how much of an interference you have?

sentradude · 04-19-2019, 04:14 PM

THX for the feedback I WANT TO GET MY CAR BACK!!! Been on blocks for almost 2 years (for other reasons..)

First set of hubs were measuring around 33.83ish ID or so.. .Got my latest and they are right on 34.00.. They go down about 1/4" of the way and get wedged and I have to carefully remove them without popping the rear race out of the hub..

How would I go about sanding the spindle evently? Or do I just get 1000 grit and do the best I can? Should I have the spindles machined ?? I just want to do it right but at the same time get my car back on the road.. THX!!!

tacotacotaco · 04-19-2019, 04:48 PM

I just measured an oem one s14 spindle. Im at about 33.96

I would just give it a lil sand and press on the hub and torque to spec

sentradude · 04-30-2019, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tacotacotaco

I just measured an oem one s14 spindle. Im at about 33.96

I would just give it a lil sand and press on the hub and torque to spec

Sounds good - ill give it a try! I just dont want to ruin the hubs or these knuckles... surprised no one else had this issue with DW knuckles.

gills · 05-07-2019, 01:25 PM

Spindle tolerances are 0.0005", i.e. the spindle should only be 0.0005"-0.001" smaller than the bearing ID. It's a near perfect sliding fit, not interference/press.

Things this precise are generally ground for surface finish and precision. Aftermarket stuff that has critical dimensions like a spindle should always be measured to be trusted. Their ability to hold tolerances like that is highly variable. As you can see, that spindle probably also has a taper on it as well.

It also means you should be measuring these things with a micrometer and telescoping gauges, not a caliper. I mean a caliper gets you pretty close, but if you want to know 0.0005" increments, they aren't the right tool.

And sanding can work, but it may take you an eternity to remove even 0.0005" with high grit sand paper. If you have the ability to chuck it in a lathe with live centers, your life will be made much easier if you go the sanding route and will do it guaranteed evenly. Just keep a micrometer by you and measure constantly.

sentradude · 05-07-2019, 02:16 PM

Thanks Gills.. Very informative post but now I am once again at a standstill. I was going to attempt sanding the spindles but now with my OCD not sure of this decision to do so.. My fear is not being able to sand it down evenly and no access to lathe or machine shop that I would trust with these knuckles.. WTF DW!! Lol

gills · 05-07-2019, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sentradude

Thanks Gills.. Very informative post but now I am once again at a standstill. I was going to attempt sanding the spindles but now with my OCD not sure of this decision to do so.. My fear is not being able to sand it down evenly and no access to lathe or machine shop that I would trust with these knuckles.. WTF DW!! Lol

You can do it, just make sure you're consistent and equal in how you're sanding it. Measure as you go along and/or test fit the bearing until it slides on precisely. Be patient. I have access to machine tools and I need to be anal with my car for what I use it in so I'm more over the top than most people.

But, for machine shop details, when I say "live center," it means they will hold and support the upright with the small spotted hole at the nose of the spindle and then there should also be one on the back side of the spindle that's perfectly inline with the centerline of it. Those are tooling marks the manufacturer used to machine the spindle.

sentradude · 05-07-2019, 03:02 PM

I appreciate the feedback gills.
A colleague in thread #8 measured the spindle at 33.96 , any chance you can take a reading as well to confirm the ball-park I am aiming for please? Thank you!!!

gills · 05-07-2019, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sentradude

I appreciate the feedback gills.
A colleague in thread #8 measured the spindle at 33.96 , any chance you can take a reading as well to confirm the ball-park I am aiming for please? Thank you!!!

2 days too late my friend. I'm sorry. I had a set of spindles sitting on my desk for the last 4 weeks also.

What I do have are a few hubs and I can measure them. Won't be until tomorrow.

04-17-2019, 02:13 PM	#1
sentradude Zilvia Addict Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: California Age: 41 Posts: 740 Trader Rating: (14) Feedback Score: 14 reviews	S14 Spindle / hub assembly (Driftworks) Question Hey everyone, I'm running into some issues and need input. I have purchased Driftworks drop knuckles and 5 Lug hubs from 240sxconversions (fronts) and I am having a heck of a time with getting the hubs on to the spindle... Every video I've watched it seems the hub should just slide on to the spindle but mine go on about half way and stop.. Without pressing the hubs on to the spindles they wont go on.. I don't want to mess anything up and was hoping someone could measure the STOCK spindle with a micrometer/caliper and tell me what diameter they get, is it 34mm? What should the inner dia. of the bearing be on the hubs? Anyone else run into something similar to this? THANKS IN ADVANCE.

04-19-2019, 04:14 PM	#7
sentradude Zilvia Addict Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: California Age: 41 Posts: 740 Trader Rating: (14) Feedback Score: 14 reviews	S14 Spindle / hub assembly (Driftworks) Question THX for the feedback I WANT TO GET MY CAR BACK!!! Been on blocks for almost 2 years (for other reasons..) First set of hubs were measuring around 33.83ish ID or so.. .Got my latest and they are right on 34.00.. They go down about 1/4" of the way and get wedged and I have to carefully remove them without popping the rear race out of the hub.. How would I go about sanding the spindle evently? Or do I just get 1000 grit and do the best I can? Should I have the spindles machined ?? I just want to do it right but at the same time get my car back on the road.. THX!!!

05-07-2019, 01:25 PM	#10
gills Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 450 Trader Rating: (13) Feedback Score: 13 reviews	Spindle tolerances are 0.0005", i.e. the spindle should only be 0.0005"-0.001" smaller than the bearing ID. It's a near perfect sliding fit, not interference/press. Things this precise are generally ground for surface finish and precision. Aftermarket stuff that has critical dimensions like a spindle should always be measured to be trusted. Their ability to hold tolerances like that is highly variable. As you can see, that spindle probably also has a taper on it as well. It also means you should be measuring these things with a micrometer and telescoping gauges, not a caliper. I mean a caliper gets you pretty close, but if you want to know 0.0005" increments, they aren't the right tool. And sanding can work, but it may take you an eternity to remove even 0.0005" with high grit sand paper. If you have the ability to chuck it in a lathe with live centers, your life will be made much easier if you go the sanding route and will do it guaranteed evenly. Just keep a micrometer by you and measure constantly. __________________ IG: core4motorsports www.core4motorsports.com

04-17-2019, 06:21 PM	#2
derass Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Toronto, ON Age: 36 Posts: 1,182 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Are you sure the knuckles are for S14? Are you sure you have S14 hubs and not S13 conversion hubs?

04-19-2019, 12:51 PM	#4
sentradude Zilvia Addict Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: California Age: 41 Posts: 740 Trader Rating: (14) Feedback Score: 14 reviews	Bump anyone can help please it would be much appreciated. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

04-19-2019, 01:13 PM	#5
tacotacotaco Post Whore! Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: GRRRVINE!!! Age: 40 Posts: 3,249 Trader Rating: (16) Rides Gallery: tacotacotaco Feedback Score: 16 reviews	On most aftermarket parts the tolerances are never perfect. With some of the gktech units we had to sand the spindle a bit or measure out and decide if the tolerance was close enough to see if pressing it on would work without destroying the race.

04-19-2019, 04:09 PM	#6
speedfiend Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Destin, Fl./Houston, Tx. Age: 39 Posts: 1,206 Trader Rating: (68) Feedback Score: 68 reviews	I have the Driftworks "Grip" Knuckles on my s14 and had zero issues installing my hubs onto the knuckles. Like tacotacotaco mentioned though, tolerences are different when it comes to aftermarket parts. If I were you Id do what he said and just sand the spindles down a bit until the hubs slide on fairly easily. Have you measured the I.D. of the hubs to see exactly how much of an interference you have?

04-19-2019, 04:48 PM	#8
tacotacotaco Post Whore! Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: GRRRVINE!!! Age: 40 Posts: 3,249 Trader Rating: (16) Rides Gallery: tacotacotaco Feedback Score: 16 reviews	I just measured an oem one s14 spindle. Im at about 33.96 I would just give it a lil sand and press on the hub and torque to spec

05-07-2019, 02:16 PM	#11
sentradude Zilvia Addict Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: California Age: 41 Posts: 740 Trader Rating: (14) Feedback Score: 14 reviews	Thanks Gills.. Very informative post but now I am once again at a standstill. I was going to attempt sanding the spindles but now with my OCD not sure of this decision to do so.. My fear is not being able to sand it down evenly and no access to lathe or machine shop that I would trust with these knuckles.. WTF DW!! Lol

05-07-2019, 03:02 PM	#13
sentradude Zilvia Addict Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: California Age: 41 Posts: 740 Trader Rating: (14) Feedback Score: 14 reviews	I appreciate the feedback gills. A colleague in thread #8 measured the spindle at 33.96 , any chance you can take a reading as well to confirm the ball-park I am aiming for please? Thank you!!!