The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network - View Single Post - 1963 front spindles replacements

LuckyLightning · 08-03-2014, 01:23 AM

Hey all, I'm hoping this is as unique as I think it is (because I searched and did not find what I needed).

I have a recently purchased '63 2WD 1/2 ton. PO started the process of swapping out the 6 lug drums for 5 lug discs. He said they are from an '88 and were bolt-in (no fabrication needed).

What he did so far:

removed drums
installed spindles
installed rotors (with wheels)
installed only one caliper (passenger side)
original master cylinder is untouched
brake hoses in front are cut
upper and lower ball joints look new on both sides/wheels

I don't know much about brakes. I don't want to spend time searching for a matching caliper (I am skeptical these are 88's since everywhere I've read they are not really compatible), nor do I want to mess with finding a master cylinder to push discs/drums. Sounds like I need to find "the right combo".

I have a donor '63 so I figured it would be easier to go back to stock by just pulling the drums from the donor and use them to replace the disc spindles/rotors on the "new" truck. Install new brake hoses, bleed, and be done with it.

I see three contact points per wheel:

upper control arm
lower control arm
outer tie rods

Looks like I just need to remove 3 castle nuts, decompress the spring, and remove the spindles.

Today I took a closer look at the castle nuts on the "new" truck and noticed when I turn them, the thread/bolt in the ball joint also turns? This is the case on at least one of the upper ball joints as well as with one of the outer tie rods. I was not expecting this - how can I remove the castle nuts?

I'm also reading that ball joints need to be removed. Why? It seems unnecessary. Searching youtube shows a lot of videos for how to remove, but not why.

Also, there is a lot of play in the steering wheel, and today I saw why: outer tie rods have little-to-no bushings (where it touches the spindle). I'll need to replace the tie rods since it seems the bushings alone are not sold at LMC.

I would greatly appreciate ANY help. I apologize if this is redundant (I'm sure someone has run into this before, but even in advanced search I'm not finding much of what I need).

08-03-2014, 01:23 AM	#1
LuckyLightning Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Round Rock, TX Posts: 348	1963 front spindles replacements - issues! Hey all, I'm hoping this is as unique as I think it is (because I searched and did not find what I needed). I have a recently purchased '63 2WD 1/2 ton. PO started the process of swapping out the 6 lug drums for 5 lug discs. He said they are from an '88 and were bolt-in (no fabrication needed). What he did so far: removed drums installed spindles installed rotors (with wheels) installed only one caliper (passenger side) original master cylinder is untouched brake hoses in front are cut upper and lower ball joints look new on both sides/wheels I don't know much about brakes. I don't want to spend time searching for a matching caliper (I am skeptical these are 88's since everywhere I've read they are not really compatible), nor do I want to mess with finding a master cylinder to push discs/drums. Sounds like I need to find "the right combo". I have a donor '63 so I figured it would be easier to go back to stock by just pulling the drums from the donor and use them to replace the disc spindles/rotors on the "new" truck. Install new brake hoses, bleed, and be done with it. I see three contact points per wheel: upper control arm lower control arm outer tie rods Looks like I just need to remove 3 castle nuts, decompress the spring, and remove the spindles. Today I took a closer look at the castle nuts on the "new" truck and noticed when I turn them, the thread/bolt in the ball joint also turns? This is the case on at least one of the upper ball joints as well as with one of the outer tie rods. I was not expecting this - how can I remove the castle nuts? I'm also reading that ball joints need to be removed. Why? It seems unnecessary. Searching youtube shows a lot of videos for how to remove, but not why. Also, there is a lot of play in the steering wheel, and today I saw why: outer tie rods have little-to-no bushings (where it touches the spindle). I'll need to replace the tie rods since it seems the bushings alone are not sold at LMC. I would greatly appreciate ANY help. I apologize if this is redundant (I'm sure someone has run into this before, but even in advanced search I'm not finding much of what I need). __________________ Michael - 1962 C20 LB stepside (project thread) - sold - 1963 Chevy C10 LB stepside (donor) - 1963 Chevy C10 LB Custom flatbed (project thread) - sold - 1979 K20 LB fleetside (project thread) Favorite exchange on the board so far: ol_Curt: "Jason, do you have power steering?" jason65: "No, but I lift weights."