Drop Spindle install issue...suggestions needed
 

So, I'm in the process of installing a set of 3" drop spindles and I'm running into an issue that I need some suggestions on, guys. I removed the caliper, rotor, all the nuts and cotter pins and I'm at the point where I put the floor jack under the lower control arm to lower it....BUT IT'S FREAKIN STUCK!!! I went and bought a pickle fork and beat the hell out of it and STILL nothing. I used a crowbar and jumped on it, pounded it on all sides with a 4lb mallet, and even tried to put the jack under the factor spindle to jack that up while pushing down on the lower control arm (dangerous, I know, but I ran out of options) and no still dice. Does anyone have any other suggestions?

The good thing is that after taking it all apart I realized I needed to change out all the busings and ball joints. So, I just ordered a complete front end kit from Performance Online (it's like $80 cheaper on ebay, by they way, from the same company). I also realized how 30 yrs of dirt, grime, and grease have caked up, so I took a drill and wire brush adapter to it and it's looking much better. I'll post some pics up in a bit.

Anyway, I'm out of ideas on how to get the lower control arm to finally let go...maybe it just knows it will never see that spindle again and has a separation disorder or something...:lol:

Re: Drop Spindle install issue...suggestions needed
 

OK dumb question first. did you loosen the ball joint nut? maybe try removing the jack and lossening the nut about 75% of the way. and maybe try a pickle fork you can put on an air chisel. that might help. good luck

Re: Drop Spindle install issue...suggestions needed
 

your going to destroy the ball joints boot anyway, so you can count on buying a new one. that being said, when I did the spindle swap, mine were stuck too... the upper came off pretty easy, the bottom, not so much. i flipped the crown nut upside down and screwed it onto the ball joint untill flush. placed the jack under the control arm but not to where its touching the control arm.. say 1'2 inch or more. Just went to town with a 3 or 5lb sledge hammer and eventually it broke loose. Went down to harbor freight and picked up a ball joint service kit for like 30 bucks... made installing the ball joint a piece of cake.
clint

Re: Drop Spindle install issue...suggestions needed
 

loosen the ball joint nuts and smack the spindle with a 5lb sledge,

or use a pickle fork

if you can't get it let me know, i'm in huffman, i can try to help sometime....

Re: Drop Spindle install issue...suggestions needed
 

Here are some of my pics:

Re: Drop Spindle install issue...suggestions needed
 

chrismoore701 - Yeah, I even went as far as removing the nut completely and jumping on a crowbar WITHOUT the jack and still nothing.

87chevy.com - I'm not too worried about the ball joints. I'm getting a new set when the front end replacement bushing kit comes in. I think I'm gonna try a bigger hammer next.

tommie - Thanks for the offer, bro. I really appreciate that. I went to Autozone and bought a pickle fork and that still didn't work. So, you're saying to smack the spindle? I haven't tried that. If I still can't get it loose by next weekend, I may hit you up to see when we can meet up...I'll pay for your gas, since we know how expensive it is these days and will even throw in some cold ones while we get it all loose.

Right now I've got it on jack stands, so I'm sure my HOA will send me a letter or two about that...hehehe

Re: Drop Spindle install issue...suggestions needed
 

where are you in humble?

kind of looks like walden?

do you have an air compressor? i have a air hammer and pickle forks for ball joints and tie rod ends....

nice truck...

and yes, loosen the ball joint nuts and smack the spindle right where the ball joint attaches... wait for a loud pop, then apply pressure with the jack and completely remove the nut....

Re: Drop Spindle install issue...suggestions needed
 

I'm at Park Lakes (non-gated side) off of the Beltway & Wilson (behind the Walmart). I just got a brand new 33 gallon Craftsman upright that I just christened for this project. This is barely the first side that I'm working on, so I still have the other side and the flip kit out back. It will be the first time I ever do a flip-kit, so let's see how that goes.

Again, bro, I'd appreciate any help or suggestions from anyone. Thanks, guys.

Re: Drop Spindle install issue...suggestions needed
 

I went to town with a sledge and a couple of pickle forks and it finally broke loose. It took a little bit to get it but it came out.

Re: Drop Spindle install issue...suggestions needed
 

By the way, here are the rims that are waiting to be slapped on once I get done with the drop and the bushing replacement:

Re: Drop Spindle install issue...suggestions needed
 

well, try it again with the pickle and the sledge (5lb works pretty good)

if not, send me a pm with your # and I could prob help sometime this coming weekend.. I'm off thurs-sunday, and i'm not that far from wilson / bw8

Re: Drop Spindle install issue...suggestions needed
 

Man, that is a CLEAN lookin truck you got, Tommie! I love that grill!

Re: Drop Spindle install issue...suggestions needed
 

Thanks,

I just got it, and will get some better pics when I get done with the engine swap and get it out of the garage...

Yours should look sweet with those rims and the drop!!!

Re: Drop Spindle install issue...suggestions needed
 

Thanks...I'm saving up for a 420hp 383 stroker, myself. For now it's a L6 that gets me from A to B.

I've got a 3/5 lowering kit right now, but I wanted to see how low it was going to be with those wheels so I know how much further I have to go. I'm thinking probably another 2" in the front with some drop springs and maybe another 2" in the rear with a shackle replacement.

I'll keep you posted, bro. Thanks again!

Re: Drop Spindle install issue...suggestions needed
 

I finally got it loose with a little 1/1 Dr. Phil time about her separation disorder...and a 5lb sledge. Thanks, guys! I'll keep ya'll posted on my progress and post up some pics as soon as I'm all done.

Re: Drop Spindle install issue...suggestions needed
 

glad you got it seperated

Re: Drop Spindle install issue...suggestions needed
 

Those will look awesome on there. What size did you go with?

Re: Drop Spindle install issue...suggestions needed
 

20X8.5's with 245/40's. I have a buddy that works at Discount Tire and he hooked me up with a price I couldn't refuse.

Re: Drop Spindle install issue...suggestions needed
 

while you have it taken apart cut a coil off the front springs so it can sit nice and low. and i would suggest to get a flip kit out back and do it once, the 4" outback isnt going to cut it if your going where i think your going with this truck. just my .02 though.

Re: Drop Spindle install issue...suggestions needed
 

I agree, I would do the flip kit and spindles and springs...

Re: Drop Spindle install issue...suggestions needed
 

Especially with that super short 20" tire. It will have a monster fender gap with that little bitty tire. It's only 27.7" tall, which is really short. I was running a 28.4" tall tire with a spindle, drop spring with a 1/2 a coil cut off of it, and a flip kit in the rear, and it fit the fender really well. Just my .02.

Good job on getting the spindle seperated...now you get to do it again on the other side ;)

Re: Drop Spindle install issue...suggestions needed
 

Yeah, I got a flip-kit for the rear (the kit said 5", but you never know). I'm thinking about getting a shackle replacement for the extra couple of inches I'm gonna be looking for. I'm sure a c-notch is in order, as well. As far as the front, I was thinking about getting a set of 2" lower springs, but do you think cutting off a coil will do the same thing?

Re: Drop Spindle install issue...suggestions needed
 

My buddy said that as long as I don't mount the rims/tires I can exchange them. What size tire do you guys recommend? I'm new to this, so any help you guys can provide will be greatly appreciated...as always.

Re: Drop Spindle install issue...suggestions needed
 

i would buy the springs if you have the money...

some people just cut the springs...

Re: Drop Spindle install issue...suggestions needed
 

I am going to be putting drop spindles on my '76 Blazer this weekend and am replacing the coil springs that are on it now with new Moog coil springs. But, I will be starting out by cutting a round off of the coil spring before I install them :). It's cheaper to do it this way than to pay the additional $50+ for a drop spring, in my opinion.

Re: Drop Spindle install issue...suggestions needed
 

Is the ride quality affected by cutting a coil, as oppose to a new set of drop springs?

Re: Drop Spindle install issue...suggestions needed
 

Not if you are cutting a new set of replacement coil springs. If you are cutting the original springs, it won't really change the ride quality that the o.e. spring is providing now. But considering the o.e. springs age, it is a great idea to replace them with the drop spring or a new cut factory style spring IMO.

Re: Drop Spindle install issue...suggestions needed
 

Good luck with your install this weekend. I think I'll just buy some new drop springs. What type of shocks are you guys running for your lowered trucks?

Re: Drop Spindle install issue...suggestions needed
 

I got these when they were only $70
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-G726/

Re: Drop Spindle install issue...suggestions needed
 

To much of a drop for this dude...But your truck looks FANTASTIC. flamingbig10 ;)

Re: Drop Spindle install issue...suggestions needed
 

thanks, tucking the tread on 27" tire is where its all at

Re: Drop Spindle install issue...suggestions needed
 

^^^:lol: The roads here are not small tire friendly. Lots of gravel, pot holes, and critters :)

Re: Drop Spindle install issue...suggestions needed
 

So was this project ever completed i would really like some follow up pictures since I will be installing drop spindles soon.

Re: Drop Spindle install issue...suggestions needed
 

You are Darwin worthy....

Re: Drop Spindle install issue...suggestions needed
 

Sorry, I never posted my after pics on this thread. My fault. I finally finished the drop, but for some reason my passenger side wheels seem to sit about -1 1/4" further in than my driver side. I'm not sure if it's my passenger or driver's side, but I don't really notice any major issues with the frame. I could be wrong, though. I've been on a money crunch for a bit, so I still haven't finished the back. I did a flip kit, but still want to go another 1-2" back there.

I also have another issue with the passenger side sitting about 3/4-1 1/2" lower than my driver side. I'm not sure what that is, but it varies after I drive it a bit. I was thinking about putting a spacer under the spring, but I'm not sure how big of a spacer I need because of the fluctuation. Do you all think this may be the shocks (I still haven't replaced them yet) that may be causing this fluctuation in height?

I've been dealing with an electrical issue with my headlights and turn signals as well and just got that all figured out last night. I went ahead and replaced all the light harnesses up front and that seemed to fix it. I also added some custom tail-lights out back. I'm gonna be using a piece of diamond plate for the bed floor instead of the traditional wood bed kit. Anyhow, here are my updated pics:

Re: Drop Spindle install issue...suggestions needed
 

you must have wheels with different offsets in them? maybe you have two back wheels on one side and two front ones on the other? try measuring the backspace.....make sure the springs are seated properly, sounds like one of them isn't. they sit in the spring pockets a certain way. my truck sits lower on the driver side but only by 1/2"

Re: Drop Spindle install issue...suggestions needed
 

I actually measured from the rotor hub and completely removed the possibility of the issue being with the wheels. For the spring issue, I noticed the truck had a spacer within the spring coils it had before the swap. I'm assuming it was to compensate for this issue. I've checked and reinstalled the springs many times thinking the same thing, as well. I made sure they're in the grooves for the bottom part of the spring.

Just not sure if maybe anyone has seen something else like this. I haven't changed out the cab mounts, I just thought about that. Anyone think it could be that?

Re: Drop Spindle install issue...suggestions needed
 

On these old trucks it could be several things. Your going to have to measure carefully and eliminate things as you go. It could be tweaked frame, weak springs, etc.

All I know for sure is the truck looks sweet. If you get the urge to part with it, look me up.

Re: Drop Spindle install issue...suggestions needed
 

You need to "clock" the TOP of the coil spring,... not the bottom.
It must seat around a ring up in the spring pocket.
Don't worry about the bottom.

Re: Drop Spindle install issue...suggestions needed
 

wrong! the groves are in the lca so you have to clock the spring at the bottom.and put the top pig tail in the slot up top