spindle spindle / bearin wear??

[don911]

I changed my front bearings 6-8 months ago. Ever since, my right front has been groaning at low speeds...rolling up to a stop sign speeds. Today I pulled the hub to see if I could figure out the problem. I've changed a few bearings before but never really inspected the spindle. Where the inside bearing rides on the spindle, it looks like there is some wear. Is this normal? There is also some marks on the bearing that seem odd.
Also, I used swepco 101 grease to pack the bearings. It seems really stiff and doesn't seem to allow the rollers to actually roll. I'm thinking of using another, lighter, grease. Any suggestions on grease to use other than swepco?
Here are some pixs. Any thoughts? Thanks.

[Tyson Schmidt]

Swepco 101 is correct. The 103 is the really grainy thick stuff that I feel is too thick.

That wear on the spindle is very common. If the new bearing fits tightly on the spindle, then it's O.K. But if it has any slop at all with a new bearing, then the strut is essentially a paperweight. You'll never get the slop out of the wheel.

Install the new bearings and get everything back together with the proper bearing pre-load. Then install the wheel and rock it back and forth to check for play. If you still have play, then the spindle is too worn and strut replacement is necessary.

Yours don't look that bad yet, judging by the picture. To prevent further spindle wear, always stay on top of the bearing adjustment. Keep them adjusted properly at all times.

[Wil Ferch]

Hint:
Use a micrometer and check the spindle diameter at four test places...12 o'clock with 6..then 3 with9. Should read about the same , but in SOME cases wear shows up on 12 and 6....time for a new strut, and that would cure your problems. Let us know if this is the case here.
---Wil Ferch

[don911]

Thanks for the responses. Sounds like I may have a paperweight shaped like a strut.
One of the problems I've been having since I put new bearings in is that the bearings won't stay adjusted.
Anyone know where to get struts? I checked PP but couldn't find any.
Thanks,

[Wil Ferch]

you might want to try various dismantlers. I recently had to do this for a friend's 911 and we got a bare, good, used strut from DC Auto...around $200-220 as I recall.Inserts not included.
--Wil Ferch
PS- mike your spindle first.

[n8marx]

I recently replaced rear wheel bearings on my '86. One of the rear hubs was shot. A new one was about $370. I got a very clean used one from 20th Street Auto Parts in Phoenix for $165 plus $14.50 shipping. They are my new "go-to" guys for used parts.