What is a common cause of severe wear in the rear spindle assembly?

Severe wear in the rear spindle assembly is often attributed to dry wheel bearings. When wheel bearings lack proper lubrication, they can overheat and degrade, leading to increased friction and wear. This wear can cause misalignment and damage to the spindle assembly, impacting overall vehicle performance and safety. Proper lubrication ensures that the bearings can function smoothly and efficiently, preventing premature wear and tear on connected components.

While other factors like excessive lubrication might seem problematic, it usually leads to a different set of issues not directly related to wear in the spindle assembly. Overheating brake pads mainly affect braking performance and don’t directly cause wear to the spindle itself, and improper wheel alignment can lead to uneven tire wear but may not necessarily translate to severe wear on the spindle assembly alone. Thus, dry wheel bearings stand out as the most direct cause of this specific issue.