I have a question and maybe a problem. Hope some of you guys can help me. My 98 F150 NASCAR turned 5,000 miles last weekend and I rotated the tires. When I did this I noticed that my front hub assembly/spindles were rusty. Not just in patches, but completely, totally rusted. Folks, I went from a Corvette to this truck so believe me when I say this was a shock to my system. Is it normal or do I have a defective truck?
One other thing, the rubber bushing on top of both front shocks is in little pieces held on by a concave shaped washer. I know that isn't normal, is it?
Appreciate the help.



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98 NASCAR Special Edition
1OF600 w/ Auto & Tonnaue
K&N FIPK
Hypertech Power Prog.
JET 180 degree thermostat
Hellwig SportTech swaybar
Gibson SuperTruck CatBack
Pilot SS Resonated Tips
Shelf-It overhead storage
Hella FF300 Fog Lights in grill.

 

Mine were rusty when i got my truck. It had 3000 miles on it. Ford probably doesnt treat the parts in question with a corrosion resistant layer. As long as the inside where the grease is is not rusted id say no problem.

 

MechE; I hope you're right. They really look bad. I'm tempted to try clean and paint them but think the job will be above my limited mechanical abilities. I need to sneak a peak at some more late model F150's spindles and see how rusted they are.. Might ease my mind some.
Thanks for your reply

------------------
98 NASCAR Special Edition
1OF600 w/ Auto & Tonnaue
K&N FIPK
Hypertech Power Prog.
JET 180 degree thermostat
Hellwig SportTech swaybar
Gibson SuperTruck CatBack
Pilot SS Resonated Tips
Shelf-It overhead storage
Hella FF300 Fog Lights in grill.

 

I replaced my factory spindles with Fabtech units and they are rusted, too. For some reason I guess they quit powdercoating them blue like the rest of their parts. I read a while back that somebody clearcoated them prior to installing.

If it makes you feel any better, the stock spindles I took off are rusting also... on a shelf in my garage!

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-JonC-
*Silver 2000 4x2 F150 Supercab
*4.6L Triton V8
*315/75/16 Pathfinder ATR's
*16 x 8 Panther Custom 108's
*K&N GenII FIPK
*Custom Cat-back w/ Flowmaster 50 Series
*Fabtech 6.5" "Ultimate" suspension lift
*Smittybilt nerf bars
*Extang Black Max soft tonneau
*Stull billet grille
*Clear corners

 

JonC; It don't make me feel any better but thanks for the info anyway I'm going to drop by the Ford dealer where I bought it and get them to check it out. One of the mechanics there is a friend of mine and I don't think he'd lie to me. They really do look bad; more like junk than what you'd see on a truck with only 5,400 miles. I've still got over a yr on my warranty so if they do need replaced, it won't cost me any.



------------------
98 NASCAR Special Edition
1OF600 w/ Auto & Tonnaue
K&N FIPK
Hypertech Power Prog.
JET 180 degree thermostat
Hellwig SportTech swaybar
Gibson SuperTruck CatBack
Pilot SS Resonated Tips
Shelf-It overhead storage
Hella FF300 Fog Lights in grill.

 

the reason why there rusty as hell when they cast them hot out of the molds they set them out in the snow or cold them down outside over night they dont clean the rust off the just make sure the spindle shaft it self is clean and smooth for assy
take them to the dealer and see the new spindle in the box there nice and clean and painted too

 

fordtec; That's exactly what they look like. Like they were forged and dumped into a snow bank while still hot and then forgotten till spring thaw. Won't get a chance for a week or two to take time off and go by the Ford dealer due to a heavy work load right now but I'm going to try convince them that they need replaced and to do in while it's on warranty.
Thanks

------------------
98 NASCAR Special Edition
1OF600 w/ Auto & Tonnaue
K&N FIPK
Hypertech Power Prog.
JET 180 degree thermostat
Hellwig SportTech swaybar
Gibson SuperTruck CatBack
Pilot SS Resonated Tips
Shelf-It overhead storage
Hella FF300 Fog Lights in grill.

 

I've never heard of this forging process for cast iron. I have worked in a casting factory and visiting a few more and every cast part has its cooling controlled. Uncontrolled and rapid cooling especially on complex parts with many curves will cause cracks. Then you end up with a new broken part.
If it is not a special cast iron or if the part is not coated as soon as it gets cool enough to not ignite the coating it will rust. The machine shop i worked at was attached to a foundery. All the dipped parts did not rust, but as soon as we machined them the service would start rusting with in 25 minutes. If you dont keep a layer of oil on them they will be totally service rusted with in an hour sometimes.
If the part designer does not specify for a coating then the casting manufacture will not coat it. Some rust can be could though, on the spindle casting if it gets surface rust it could be protecting the underlying surface from the elements.

 

Took my NASCAR truck by the dealer today. My friend who works there said that the spindle rust was just a Ford. That they didn't paint or treat the spindles in any way. As for my shocks, he's ordering me new shocks, but get this; the book list the front of the NASCAR as having "dual shocks". Mine doesn't have dual shocks. The number listed was different than all the other models which is as it should be since it's the only one that is "factory lowered". Anyway, he's ordered the shocks listed and is at a loss as to why it's listed as duals. My question to all you NASCAR owners (the 1998 variety) is: does your truck have dual shocks in front? If it does and the book lists duals for the 98 NASCAR then mine is wrong and I want it right! Know what I mean?
Thanks



------------------
98 NASCAR Special Edition
1OF600 w/ Auto & Tonnaue
K&N FIPK
Hypertech Power Prog.
JET 180 degree thermostat
Hellwig SportTech swaybar
Gibson SuperTruck CatBack
Pilot SS Resonated Tips
Shelf-It overhead storage
Hella FF300 Fog Lights in grill.

 

Rusted Spindles are totally normal on many trucks. The spindles are cast iron with no finish. The only reason the FABTECH spindles are blue is for marketing purposes. When you buy them, they are rusted too. You can't see the spindles on a stock height truck anyway!!!

 

I thought fabtech powder coated all their stuff...which protects from tust...its also why they are blue. I know their old spindles were just the bullseye ones but I thought now they made their own and powder coated them?

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Things to come: coil spacers, 4.10 gears, Grill
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