Progress on front end rebuild - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

chevybill · 02-12-2005, 06:27 PM

Hey guys, after a long hard battle with the coil spring compressor, my front suspension is back together. This includes 5 lug rotors, and disc brakes on the front. I may have to do a little grinding between the new spindle and the bottom edge of the top a arm right out on the end where the upper ball joint is located. Will this problem correct itself when I sit the frame back down on it wheels?

Next I will probably remove rear trailing arms for new bushings and por-15 treatment. Looking at rear disc brakes and a posi-traction unit of some type to bolt into the original 12 bolt housing any suggestions. I already have the 5 lug axles for the rear. I also have 3 inch lower springs for the rear, while I used 2.5 drop spindles for the front with stock height springs.

She is going to get in the rear next time boys!!!!!!!

chevybill · 02-12-2005, 08:27 PM

what is wrong guys --no opinions or input.

18 view and no comments, everybody got lockjaw??

lloyd k · 02-12-2005, 09:05 PM

sounds good,i know what it feals like to get something accomplished,excpecially on your own truck!allot of heavy work on the front end too.after you get weight on the front end you shouldnt have any clerance issues.make sure you double check everything-bolts etc.what spindles did you use?

**COBALT** · 02-12-2005, 09:17 PM

Make sure you space out your upper control arms appropriately with some shims before you torque down the nuts on the center bars. I guessed about 3 shims per stud. Also guestimate on how long your tie rods need to be. I matched my new ones up to my old ones before putting the drag link back in, and connecting them to the spindles. Make sure you're torquing everything to spec.

Once you're back down on the ground, and you've confirmed you don't have any clearance problems take the truck to an alignment shop. Do not pass GO. Do not collect $200. If you don't do this you'll cause yourself a lot of problems - unnecessary stress on the front-end members, and excessive tire wear.

chevybill · 02-13-2005, 09:47 AM

I used classic performance spindles and front brake kit, they had the best price i could find, even though shipping from calif. to missississippi is substantial.

This is a total frame off resto / mod project so I will definetly be going to the alignment shop in due time.

When I disassembled the front end I recorded the shim number and location and number on each side and put them back exactly as they came out.

I still have the steering part of the front suspension to complete.

02-12-2005, 06:27 PM	#1
chevybill Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: calhoun city ms Posts: 940	Progress on front end rebuild Hey guys, after a long hard battle with the coil spring compressor, my front suspension is back together. This includes 5 lug rotors, and disc brakes on the front. I may have to do a little grinding between the new spindle and the bottom edge of the top a arm right out on the end where the upper ball joint is located. Will this problem correct itself when I sit the frame back down on it wheels? Next I will probably remove rear trailing arms for new bushings and por-15 treatment. Looking at rear disc brakes and a posi-traction unit of some type to bolt into the original 12 bolt housing any suggestions. I already have the 5 lug axles for the rear. I also have 3 inch lower springs for the rear, while I used 2.5 drop spindles for the front with stock height springs. She is going to get in the rear next time boys!!!!!!! __________________ ongoing 1970 c 10 lwb 1994 z-28 few mods.-owned since new 1978 vette silver/grey 25th anniv. paint

02-12-2005, 08:27 PM	#2
chevybill Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: calhoun city ms Posts: 940	what is wrong guys --no opinions or input. 18 view and no comments, everybody got lockjaw?? __________________ ongoing 1970 c 10 lwb 1994 z-28 few mods.-owned since new 1978 vette silver/grey 25th anniv. paint

02-12-2005, 09:17 PM	#4
COBALT Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Seattle, WA, USA Posts: 5,817	Make sure you space out your upper control arms appropriately with some shims before you torque down the nuts on the center bars. I guessed about 3 shims per stud. Also guestimate on how long your tie rods need to be. I matched my new ones up to my old ones before putting the drag link back in, and connecting them to the spindles. Make sure you're torquing everything to spec. Once you're back down on the ground, and you've confirmed you don't have any clearance problems take the truck to an alignment shop. Do not pass GO. Do not collect $200. If you don't do this you'll cause yourself a lot of problems - unnecessary stress on the front-end members, and excessive tire wear. __________________ '69 3/4 ton C20 2wd-350ci/TH400 '69 3/4 ton Custom 20 2wd-350ci/4sp Manual '99 2wd 5.7 Chevy Tahoe Seattle, WA.

02-13-2005, 09:47 AM	#5
chevybill Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: calhoun city ms Posts: 940	thanks for the replies I used classic performance spindles and front brake kit, they had the best price i could find, even though shipping from calif. to missississippi is substantial. This is a total frame off resto / mod project so I will definetly be going to the alignment shop in due time. When I disassembled the front end I recorded the shim number and location and number on each side and put them back exactly as they came out. I still have the steering part of the front suspension to complete. __________________ ongoing 1970 c 10 lwb 1994 z-28 few mods.-owned since new 1978 vette silver/grey 25th anniv. paint Last edited by chevybill; 02-13-2005 at 09:50 AM.

02-12-2005, 09:05 PM	#3
lloyd k Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: columbus,ohio Posts: 201	sounds good,i know what it feals like to get something accomplished,excpecially on your own truck!allot of heavy work on the front end too.after you get weight on the front end you shouldnt have any clerance issues.make sure you double check everything-bolts etc.what spindles did you use?



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