Defective drop spindles - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

RLTAutoTeacher · 12-12-2006, 03:12 PM

I have a 67 short step side that I have done a restoration on with the auto tech students at the high school where I teach. I bought a large amount of the parts for this restoration through Chevy Duty (Classic Parts). One of my orders was for 2 1/2" drop spindles. I ordered these when I had a bare frame sitting on the shop floor, 2/15/2005. It wasn't until September of this year that we were ready to do an alignment on the pickup. At that time I found that I wasn't able to set the camber on the left side. I had too much positive camber. When I checked SAI, it was equal from left to right. It was the included angle that was off by 2 degrees from left to right. The only possible answer was a defective spindle. I called Classic Parts to tell them of the problem, and because of the age of the order they referred me to Classic Performance Products (CPP) who they bought the parts from. I called CPP and they had me ship the spindle to them for inspection. It took me over two weeks to get a reply from them. Their reply was that they could find no problem with the spindle, but they were going to ship me another. "Thank you very much!" When I finally got the other spindle installed, I found that the 15" wheel wouldn't clear the spindle without dragging. I called them and told them this, and suggested that I take a grinder and remove a liitle of the excess casting. They agreed, and I rechecked the alignment. I still had an alignment problem, so I called them back. Of course they insisted that I couldn't have gotten two deffective spindles and I must have a problem with the pickup. I have alomst 30 years experience, and I know what I'm doing. To prove it to them I switched the spindles from left to right and rechecked alignment. The problem moved to the other side. I called them back and they could give no answer to the problem. I then ordered spindles from Early Classic Enterprises. Once they were installed the pickup ligned up beautifully, and drives great. I just called CPP about a return. They told me that because I had bought them from Chevy Duty I had to contact Chevy Duty about the return. I called Chevy Duty and they called me back and told me that I would have to return them to CPP (more shipping charges), and they would determine if I should get a refund or not, plus there would be a 20% restocking fee. I told them that was not acceptable and I was going to keep my parts and consider my options. Any suggestions???
You guys that have bought spindles from CPP, if you're having alingment issues, don't modify your pickup until you have checked SAI and factored in included angle. If included angle is off by more than 1/2 degree from side to side, you have a bad spindle. Period!

RLTAutoTeacher · 12-12-2006, 04:11 PM

OK! It has taken Classic Parts less than ten minutes to get in contact with me. There have been several emails go back and forth, and they have been very quick to reply. I will keep you informed as to how all this works out.

see ten · 12-12-2006, 04:42 PM

I have heard of others having problems with those spindles from time to time. Even with the ECE spindles you may see rubbing on that 15" wheel when you cut it deep enough. Depending on your offset it may rub and it may not. The lower control arm can be clearanced and boxed if you prefer to keep the 15" wheel instead of upsizing.

RLTAutoTeacher · 12-12-2006, 08:01 PM

Thanks SeeTen. The rubbing was where the caliper mounted to the spindle. It rubbed on the inside of the wheel, and not on turns. I like my wheels! I'm glad they don't rub on turns. I have no suspension problems now, finally!

see ten · 12-12-2006, 08:16 PM

Good deal! Do you have the truck where you can drive it yet? Mine didn't rub when it was sitting still but if the truck was rolling and I cut it deep they would touch the lower control arms.

RLTAutoTeacher · 12-13-2006, 09:04 AM

I was able to take it out last Saturday for the first time, and then only around the school parking lot. I still have a little wiring left to do and I'm still running open headers. I just took it out for to run the tranny through the gears and left a few "accidental" black marks on the school property

SCOTI · 01-06-2007, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RLTAutoTeacher

..... I have alomst 30 years experience, and I know what I'm doing. To prove it to them I switched the spindles from left to right and rechecked alignment. The problem moved to the other side.

How did you switch spindles from side to side when there is a dedicated left/right spindle?

fishmunger · 01-07-2007, 01:31 AM

i've had nothing but problems with CPP. both the parts and the employees/customer service. i will never order from them again. they suck. period.

krue · 01-07-2007, 02:00 AM

This needs to be on the Review Board.

motopatzo · 01-07-2007, 02:11 AM

I was wondering about the side to side switch as well

RLTAutoTeacher · 01-08-2007, 08:59 AM

Good Question! I knew that I wouldn't be able to connect steering linkage or brakes, so I calibrated the alignment equipment before I started. I removed the wheels with the equipment attached, kept the wheels and rotors on the original side, and remounted them on the original lug position. All I needed to check was camber, so it wasn't necessary to have the steering linkage connected. I knew what the result would be, but I thought that if I provided them with irrefutable proof the problem would be resolved. Not so!

RLTAutoTeacher · 01-08-2007, 09:02 AM

I do have a post on the review board that points to this post. The title is Classic Parts/Classic Performance Products, or something like that.

RLTAutoTeacher · 02-01-2007, 06:08 PM

Classic Parts is unreal! I filed a complaint with the BBB on Dec 22nd. They, the BBB, have contacted them twice with no responce. I have pointed a lot of people toward Classic Parts, and have bought the majority of my parts from them. I don't understand. Even if they think I'm wrong, it looks as though they would want to resolve this issue. I had my own bussiness for eight years. I can't remember ever ignoring a customer service complaint.

pgf545 · 02-02-2007, 11:25 PM

Man that sucks. We bought a fuel tank from CPP and it didn't fit worth a crap. After several calls and e-mails I just decided to fix it myself. The tank was interfering with the springs and needed some notches for clearance. Plus the mounting flange that they welded to the tank is about 2 inches short of where it needs to be. I still need to fix that but I don't think I will be getting anything else from them.

Bernie

stsalvage · 02-26-2007, 04:16 AM

Darrell if your ever looking for good parts go to www.truckandcarshop.com there in calif no problems and if your doing the wireing i would say go back to factory cost you under 600 to replace all your fatory harness with new factory harness with all the plugs its a lot less headacke and worrie done it to a 1965 and a 1972 3/4 ton truck no complaints whe wireing is from M&M wireing they use all the factory plugs that why i like them

Trey` · 04-23-2007, 10:27 PM

Just to let you know this post was the whole reason I went with ECE instead of CPP when I was looking for parts. Thanks for the info.

7T2 · 04-25-2007, 02:58 PM

I hope I'm not getting myself in trouble. I have heard a lot of negative remarks about CPP, enough that I probably wouldn't knowingly buy from them. Unfortunately I just ordered a brake booster swap kit from Classic Parts because I had such good luck with them on other parts. Called today to find out where the brake booster was. Guess where it's coming from? CPP. Still 2 weeks out. Hopefully I won't have any issues with it.

RLTAutoTeacher · 04-25-2007, 04:32 PM

Classic Parts warranty is 30 days. When you get your booster, I suggest you get it installed quickly so if there is a problem you can get it resolved. My problem was I ordered the parts, installed them, and then it was a year later before I had the truck complete to do an alignment.

7T2 · 04-26-2007, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RLTAutoTeacher

Classic Parts warranty is 30 days. When you get your booster, I suggest you get it installed quickly so if there is a problem you can get it resolved. My problem was I ordered the parts, installed them, and then it was a year later before I had the truck complete to do an alignment.

I would imagine any company that wants to stay in business would honor their warranty period starting from when you take delivery, not from when you ordered it, but I will check that out.

7T2 · 05-24-2007, 02:35 PM

Might as well update my situation as well.

Brake booster never arrived, called Classic Parts and was eventually told that my invoice was faxed to CPP along with someone elses, the other person's order was attached to my PO number, and my order was lost. They told me I could probably have it shipped to me in another week or so, provided CPP had one to send. I told them I would prefer not to wait another week for another screw-up, and that I would like a refund so I could buy one somewhere else. Supposedly they are refunding the purchase price plus shipping, but they also told me they thought everyone got them from CPP. We'll see what happens.

Guess I'll try ECE. It doesn't appear that GMC Pauls has brake boosters. I keep hearing such good things about them and want to order from them, but they never seem to have what I need.

Any other suggestions for a brake booster conversion (disc/drum) for a 57 GMC?

RLTAutoTeacher · 05-24-2007, 03:41 PM

Performance online has your booster. They even offer a hydroboost. I've ordered from them once before with no problems, but I would ask around and also ask them to make certain they don't buy from cpp. Good luck!

7T2 · 05-24-2007, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RLTAutoTeacher

Performance online has your booster. They even offer a hydroboost. I've ordered from them once before with no problems, but I would ask around and also ask them to make certain they don't buy from cpp. Good luck!

Well, that was quick! Took me about 2 1/2 minutes to complete my order after they told me they were a direct competitor to CPP. Couldn't find much info either way as far as satisfaction with them, but in my mind with today's information superhighway no news is good news. When I told them I had been waiting over a month for one to arrive, they told me it was in stock and will ship out today! Same price as CPP's, hopefully similar or better quality.

As long as I have the floor here, I thought I would mention this: I know GMC Pauls is considered a god in our little world, but I tried to call them for an hour and a half and got nothing but a busy signal? Are they so good that their phone system is constantly overwhelmed by all the people trying to buy from them? I tried, guys, but I can't tap your wealth of knowledge or spend my money with you if I can't get ahold of you!

AuggieStyle · 12-25-2007, 08:21 PM

i am in the market for spindles and thanks to this thread i will not be buying my kit from ccp.
darrell does rlturner have a body shop program? did you make it out to eastfields tech expo?
i am a lab instructor at eastfield in the paint and body program.
and i have a 69 c-10 i am fixing

12-12-2006, 03:12 PM	#1
RLTAutoTeacher Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Bendigo, Victoria, Australia Posts: 35	Defective drop spindles I have a 67 short step side that I have done a restoration on with the auto tech students at the high school where I teach. I bought a large amount of the parts for this restoration through Chevy Duty (Classic Parts). One of my orders was for 2 1/2" drop spindles. I ordered these when I had a bare frame sitting on the shop floor, 2/15/2005. It wasn't until September of this year that we were ready to do an alignment on the pickup. At that time I found that I wasn't able to set the camber on the left side. I had too much positive camber. When I checked SAI, it was equal from left to right. It was the included angle that was off by 2 degrees from left to right. The only possible answer was a defective spindle. I called Classic Parts to tell them of the problem, and because of the age of the order they referred me to Classic Performance Products (CPP) who they bought the parts from. I called CPP and they had me ship the spindle to them for inspection. It took me over two weeks to get a reply from them. Their reply was that they could find no problem with the spindle, but they were going to ship me another. "Thank you very much!" When I finally got the other spindle installed, I found that the 15" wheel wouldn't clear the spindle without dragging. I called them and told them this, and suggested that I take a grinder and remove a liitle of the excess casting. They agreed, and I rechecked the alignment. I still had an alignment problem, so I called them back. Of course they insisted that I couldn't have gotten two deffective spindles and I must have a problem with the pickup. I have alomst 30 years experience, and I know what I'm doing. To prove it to them I switched the spindles from left to right and rechecked alignment. The problem moved to the other side. I called them back and they could give no answer to the problem. I then ordered spindles from Early Classic Enterprises. Once they were installed the pickup ligned up beautifully, and drives great. I just called CPP about a return. They told me that because I had bought them from Chevy Duty I had to contact Chevy Duty about the return. I called Chevy Duty and they called me back and told me that I would have to return them to CPP (more shipping charges), and they would determine if I should get a refund or not, plus there would be a 20% restocking fee. I told them that was not acceptable and I was going to keep my parts and consider my options. Any suggestions??? You guys that have bought spindles from CPP, if you're having alingment issues, don't modify your pickup until you have checked SAI and factored in included angle. If included angle is off by more than 1/2 degree from side to side, you have a bad spindle. Period! __________________ Darrell 67 short stepside Complete frame-up

12-12-2006, 04:11 PM	#2
RLTAutoTeacher Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Bendigo, Victoria, Australia Posts: 35	Re: Defective drop spindles OK! It has taken Classic Parts less than ten minutes to get in contact with me. There have been several emails go back and forth, and they have been very quick to reply. I will keep you informed as to how all this works out. __________________ Darrell 67 short stepside Complete frame-up

12-12-2006, 04:42 PM	#3
see ten WTB this ad Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Lafayette Georgia Posts: 5,074	Re: Defective drop spindles I have heard of others having problems with those spindles from time to time. Even with the ECE spindles you may see rubbing on that 15" wheel when you cut it deep enough. Depending on your offset it may rub and it may not. The lower control arm can be clearanced and boxed if you prefer to keep the 15" wheel instead of upsizing.

12-12-2006, 08:01 PM	#4
RLTAutoTeacher Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Bendigo, Victoria, Australia Posts: 35	Re: Defective drop spindles Thanks SeeTen. The rubbing was where the caliper mounted to the spindle. It rubbed on the inside of the wheel, and not on turns. I like my wheels! I'm glad they don't rub on turns. I have no suspension problems now, finally! __________________ Darrell 67 short stepside Complete frame-up

12-12-2006, 08:16 PM	#5
see ten WTB this ad Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Lafayette Georgia Posts: 5,074	Re: Defective drop spindles Good deal! Do you have the truck where you can drive it yet? Mine didn't rub when it was sitting still but if the truck was rolling and I cut it deep they would touch the lower control arms.

12-13-2006, 09:04 AM	#6
RLTAutoTeacher Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Bendigo, Victoria, Australia Posts: 35	Re: Defective drop spindles I was able to take it out last Saturday for the first time, and then only around the school parking lot. I still have a little wiring left to do and I'm still running open headers. I just took it out for to run the tranny through the gears and left a few "accidental" black marks on the school property __________________ Darrell 67 short stepside Complete frame-up

01-07-2007, 01:31 AM	#8
fishmunger Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: CA Posts: 411	Re: Defective drop spindles i've had nothing but problems with CPP. both the parts and the employees/customer service. i will never order from them again. they suck. period.

01-07-2007, 02:00 AM	#9
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,448	Re: Defective drop spindles This needs to be on the Review Board. __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

01-07-2007, 02:11 AM	#10
motopatzo Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: maple ridge, b.c., canada Posts: 190	Re: Defective drop spindles I was wondering about the side to side switch as well

01-08-2007, 08:59 AM	#11
RLTAutoTeacher Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Bendigo, Victoria, Australia Posts: 35	Re: Defective drop spindles Good Question! I knew that I wouldn't be able to connect steering linkage or brakes, so I calibrated the alignment equipment before I started. I removed the wheels with the equipment attached, kept the wheels and rotors on the original side, and remounted them on the original lug position. All I needed to check was camber, so it wasn't necessary to have the steering linkage connected. I knew what the result would be, but I thought that if I provided them with irrefutable proof the problem would be resolved. Not so! __________________ Darrell 67 short stepside Complete frame-up

01-08-2007, 09:02 AM	#12
RLTAutoTeacher Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Bendigo, Victoria, Australia Posts: 35	Re: Defective drop spindles I do have a post on the review board that points to this post. The title is Classic Parts/Classic Performance Products, or something like that. __________________ Darrell 67 short stepside Complete frame-up

02-01-2007, 06:08 PM	#13
RLTAutoTeacher Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Bendigo, Victoria, Australia Posts: 35	Re: Defective drop spindles Classic Parts is unreal! I filed a complaint with the BBB on Dec 22nd. They, the BBB, have contacted them twice with no responce. I have pointed a lot of people toward Classic Parts, and have bought the majority of my parts from them. I don't understand. Even if they think I'm wrong, it looks as though they would want to resolve this issue. I had my own bussiness for eight years. I can't remember ever ignoring a customer service complaint. __________________ Darrell 67 short stepside Complete frame-up Last edited by RLTAutoTeacher; 02-01-2007 at 06:09 PM.

02-02-2007, 11:25 PM	#14
pgf545 Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: Santa Fe,Texas Posts: 933	Re: Defective drop spindles Man that sucks. We bought a fuel tank from CPP and it didn't fit worth a crap. After several calls and e-mails I just decided to fix it myself. The tank was interfering with the springs and needed some notches for clearance. Plus the mounting flange that they welded to the tank is about 2 inches short of where it needs to be. I still need to fix that but I don't think I will be getting anything else from them. Bernie __________________ 52 Chevy Truck (Dad's) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=206021

02-26-2007, 04:16 AM	#15
stsalvage Scrapper 1 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Riverside Calif Posts: 1,649	Re: Defective drop spindles Darrell if your ever looking for good parts go to www.truckandcarshop.com there in calif no problems and if your doing the wireing i would say go back to factory cost you under 600 to replace all your fatory harness with new factory harness with all the plugs its a lot less headacke and worrie done it to a 1965 and a 1972 3/4 ton truck no complaints whe wireing is from M&M wireing they use all the factory plugs that why i like them

04-23-2007, 10:27 PM	#16
Trey` Active Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Cooks Point,Texas Posts: 238	Re: Defective drop spindles Just to let you know this post was the whole reason I went with ECE instead of CPP when I was looking for parts. Thanks for the info. __________________ '70 Chevy stepside, ECE discs & 4/6, '00 GMC ext. cab stepside, never ending project '07 GMC Crew Cab, 24's & 5/7 "We, the unwilling, led by the unquailified, have been doing the unbelievable for so long with so little, we now attempt, the impossible with nothing"



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04-25-2007, 02:58 PM	#17
7T2 Active Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Marysville, OH Posts: 667	Re: Defective drop spindles I hope I'm not getting myself in trouble. I have heard a lot of negative remarks about CPP, enough that I probably wouldn't knowingly buy from them. Unfortunately I just ordered a brake booster swap kit from Classic Parts because I had such good luck with them on other parts. Called today to find out where the brake booster was. Guess where it's coming from? CPP. Still 2 weeks out. Hopefully I won't have any issues with it. __________________ 1957 GMC Ambulance 1962 Belair Wagon 1963 C80 Truck Cab FOR SALE 1969 Chevy C10 Short Bed 1972 Chevy C10 Long Bed SOLD 1996 C3500 Dually SOLD

04-25-2007, 04:32 PM	#18
RLTAutoTeacher Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Bendigo, Victoria, Australia Posts: 35	Re: Defective drop spindles Classic Parts warranty is 30 days. When you get your booster, I suggest you get it installed quickly so if there is a problem you can get it resolved. My problem was I ordered the parts, installed them, and then it was a year later before I had the truck complete to do an alignment. __________________ Darrell 67 short stepside Complete frame-up

05-24-2007, 02:35 PM	#20
7T2 Active Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Marysville, OH Posts: 667	Re: Defective drop spindles Might as well update my situation as well. Brake booster never arrived, called Classic Parts and was eventually told that my invoice was faxed to CPP along with someone elses, the other person's order was attached to my PO number, and my order was lost. They told me I could probably have it shipped to me in another week or so, provided CPP had one to send. I told them I would prefer not to wait another week for another screw-up, and that I would like a refund so I could buy one somewhere else. Supposedly they are refunding the purchase price plus shipping, but they also told me they thought everyone got them from CPP. We'll see what happens. Guess I'll try ECE. It doesn't appear that GMC Pauls has brake boosters. I keep hearing such good things about them and want to order from them, but they never seem to have what I need. Any other suggestions for a brake booster conversion (disc/drum) for a 57 GMC? __________________ 1957 GMC Ambulance 1962 Belair Wagon 1963 C80 Truck Cab FOR SALE 1969 Chevy C10 Short Bed 1972 Chevy C10 Long Bed SOLD 1996 C3500 Dually SOLD Last edited by 7T2; 05-24-2007 at 02:36 PM.

05-24-2007, 03:41 PM	#21
RLTAutoTeacher Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Bendigo, Victoria, Australia Posts: 35	Re: Defective drop spindles Performance online has your booster. They even offer a hydroboost. I've ordered from them once before with no problems, but I would ask around and also ask them to make certain they don't buy from cpp. Good luck! __________________ Darrell 67 short stepside Complete frame-up

12-25-2007, 08:21 PM	#23
AuggieStyle Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Dallas,TX. Posts: 499	Re: Defective drop spindles i am in the market for spindles and thanks to this thread i will not be buying my kit from ccp. darrell does rlturner have a body shop program? did you make it out to eastfields tech expo? i am a lab instructor at eastfield in the paint and body program. and i have a 69 c-10 i am fixing

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