Uniball style spindles JM pro and tweed

[Jadewombat]

Toyota 4WD trucks in the 80s and some military trucks had them IIRC. I thought the same thing about dirt too the first time I saw that exposed surface covered with a thin smear of grease on a toyota truck in person, I'm sure there's a reason for it otherwise there would be a cover plate or something like a CV boot.

[DeMinimis]

Uniballs are used on plenty of off-road buggies. I would not be overly concerned about that. They can get clanky though.

[Ol'fogasaurus]

Does it look like there is a wiper type of seal on each ball? Especially for sand and off-road use I would think there must be something like that. I would also think there would be something to keep the grease in and corruption out.

[dansparts]

Are they going to wear out fast being open to sand and dirt getting in there?

It's no different then the a-arm cars that use uni-balls and heims for their spindles

[bajaherbie]

well that settles that......

[dustymojave]

Uniballs seem to work pretty well outdoors. They are used on all Trophy Trucks and many 1400/1450 offroad race trucks. They are basically a large heim joint ball and socket same as used on the ends of offroad shocks like Kings and Fox.

[dustymojave]

Oh, and PS:
Uniballs are intended to be used dry, not greased.

The covered u-joints on 4WD front axles are internally lubed and have wiper seals on them to keep lube in and dirt out.

[Jeffreythomas]

Hey guys, first post hear.
Do you think that either of these uniball spindles would be class 5 1600 leagal?

[dustymojave]

As a Tech Inspector, I see absolutely NO cause for these spindles to NOT be allowed for 1-2 or 5-1600. They are no more different in concept from original VW than Combo spindles are.

[Steve Arndt]

So there is a big C-clip that holds the ball in the socket right?

Anybody running them on the street in a dual sport car?

[BAJA-IT]

As a Tech Inspector, I see absolutely NO cause for these spindles to NOT be allowed for 1-2 or 5-1600. They are no more different in concept from original VW than Combo spindles are.

Do they widen the track any?
Isn't there a width limit for 1/2 & 5-1600? (wheel mounting face to wheel mounting face)

[dustymojave]

You're right Cameron that there is a limit on width. Wheel mounting surface to wheel mounting surface must remain stock. I've not seen any info that indicates these spindles move the wheel outboard. If they do, then that would render them not legal for the 1600 classes.

[PhillipM]

Are they going to wear out fast being open to sand and dirt getting in there?

In the sizes that are being used for these you can get spherical bearings with proper lip seals just like a normal ball bearing, etc - I'm making a pair at the minute (the removal of free play and ability to adjust camber a lot more per track is appealing) with some sealed SKF bearings, the centre of the housings has a tube welded in that holds 50ml of oil to feed them and keep wear and friction down.

[KBWAKESK8]

Is anyone running the JM pro 6" arms

[KBWAKESK8]

Thinking of running these spindles any feed back