Spindle question

[Elvis' Truck]

Swapped my front axle in my 70 K10 to a 71 to get disc brakes several years ago. Tore it down thinking wheel bearings were out and discovered a broken spindle with the bearings welded to the nut!

My question is, I still have the old closed knuckle axle (both are Dana 44). Will the spindle from my old axle work on my newer one ? I know I could remove the other side and compare, but would rather not break down 3 if someone has the answer

Thank you

[kwmech]

I believe it will, given the inner bearing is the same. The 70 was an open knuckle front end...only difference being it was drum.

[Elvis' Truck]

Thank you for your reply

My 70 was a closed knuckle and that made me wonder if it would work.

As I was looking online I saw that most small bearing spindles gave 73 as their earliest date. Didn't know if Dana changed then or of they just used the model year that the trucks changed for the date as they are most common on square bodies

I will post the answer if I find it before someone else here chimes in.

Thanks again for taking the time

[kwmech]

If is is a closed knuckle, then it is not a 70 front, probably a left over 69 front. 1970 was a 1 year only open knuckle drum brake front

[Elvis' Truck]

Posting a reply for anyone else that may have the same question.

Yes, the spindle did work. On the truck and driving.

Thank you for the replies. Interesting that my 70 had a closed knuckle axle. Could have been changed at some point in it's life with whatever was available or could have been left over from 69. I changed it out to get disc brakes.

Had to cut the broken end off with a hand grinder and a chisel to get it off over the axle where it had worn down and melted a bit. Not a fun job. Very thankful for snap rings !!!!