what the heck is the difference between a hub, spindle and knuckle

[mellow65]

ok i hear a few different words, hub, spindle or knuckle.

 

ok so straiten me out here if i'm wrong.

 

i think of a knuckle as the the metal chunk that the bearings would go in and the hub the part that actually turns and the axle goes through it.

 

and then a spindle as something you would find on the front wheels of a rear wheel drive car. just has the rod that sticks out and you put your bearings over it and then your brakes.

 

so help me out, this came up today and i just need others knowledge

[Caboobaroo]

You are correct my dear friend on terminology of those parts. The spindle could also be the end of the CV axle where it goes through the hub but also refered to as the CV stub.

[mellow65]

You are correct my dear friend on terminology of those parts. The spindle could also be the end of the CV axle where it goes through the hub but also refered to as the CV stub.

 

sweet i was right

 

thanks a bunch

[GeneralDisorder]

The knuckle is what you describe - more technically correct it's a "steering knuckle". It holds the bearings, and connects the steering and suspension to the rotating components.

 

The hub is the splined part the mates to the axle, and bolts to the wheel, and the brake disc (or drum on very old models).

 

The spindle would be the end of the CV shaft on a Subaru (in many vehicles it would be a seperate peice), or in the rear of an EA series you can see what would be refered to as a spindle by itself as the CV is splined and pinned in place to it.

 

GD