Help! Upper and lower ball joints are too far in new drop spindles? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**SoCoC10** · 11-19-2015, 09:22 PM

I installed some 3" drop spindles on my 69 GMC and the outer tie rod fits fine but the upper and lower ball joints are sitting way too deep in the spindle? The castle nut is 5-8 threads past the cotter pin hole. My guess is the previous owner used 71-72 spindles to do the disc brake swap so I need 71-72 drop spindles? Thanks for the help.

Here is a casting # off the stock height spindles I just removed.

**SoCoC10** · 11-19-2015, 10:05 PM

I'm leaning towards 71-72 because the lower control arms do not have rubber bushings. See pic.

**SoCoC10** · 11-19-2015, 10:09 PM

Pic of castle nuts too far away from cotter pin holes.

**PGSigns** · 11-20-2015, 07:45 AM

Yup those are 73 and up spindles with 72 and down ball joints. Can swap the ball joints to correct it. Also double check the fit on the tie rods just in case.
Jimmy

**SoCoC10** · 11-20-2015, 10:01 AM

Tie Rod fits perfect. That is what is confusing me. The upper and lower ball joint are brand new done by the previous owner. I would much rather install the correct spindle for the already done ball joints than change the ball joints to match the incorrect spindle. So i should install a 71-72 spindle?

chevy_mike · 11-20-2015, 11:29 AM

There are three different spindle year split, 63-70, 71-72 and 73-87. You need to know what ball joints you have to know what spindles you need.

**lolife99** · 11-20-2015, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chevy_mike

There are three different spindle year split, 63-70, 71-72 and 73-87. You need to know what ball joints you have to know what spindles you need.

X2
How did you buy a spindle without knowing what it fit?
Your outer tie rod may look correct,... But it has to match the year of spindle also,...

**SoCoC10** · 12-06-2015, 09:38 AM

Thanks for all the input. I ended up with 71-72 drop spindles and it corrected the problem. I think you would all agree that since the truck had brand new upper and lower ball joints it was much easier to unbolt and bolt in the correct spindle than unbolt and press different ball joints.

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11-19-2015, 09:22 PM	#1
SoCoC10 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Colorado Posts: 3,334	Help! Upper and lower ball joints are too far in new drop spindles? I installed some 3" drop spindles on my 69 GMC and the outer tie rod fits fine but the upper and lower ball joints are sitting way too deep in the spindle? The castle nut is 5-8 threads past the cotter pin hole. My guess is the previous owner used 71-72 spindles to do the disc brake swap so I need 71-72 drop spindles? Thanks for the help. Here is a casting # off the stock height spindles I just removed. Attached Images __________________ 07' Extcab Silverado Z71 Silver Birch, 5.3L HO 71' Cheyenne C10 Hugger Orange on Saddle SWB Besides these two, too Many to count

11-19-2015, 10:05 PM	#2
SoCoC10 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Colorado Posts: 3,334	Re: Help! Upper and lower ball joints are too far in new drop spindles? I'm leaning towards 71-72 because the lower control arms do not have rubber bushings. See pic. Attached Images __________________ 07' Extcab Silverado Z71 Silver Birch, 5.3L HO 71' Cheyenne C10 Hugger Orange on Saddle SWB Besides these two, too Many to count

11-19-2015, 10:09 PM	#3
SoCoC10 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Colorado Posts: 3,334	Re: Help! Upper and lower ball joints are too far in new drop spindles? Pic of castle nuts too far away from cotter pin holes. Attached Images __________________ 07' Extcab Silverado Z71 Silver Birch, 5.3L HO 71' Cheyenne C10 Hugger Orange on Saddle SWB Besides these two, too Many to count

11-20-2015, 07:45 AM	#4
PGSigns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Hayes Va Posts: 4,569	Re: Help! Upper and lower ball joints are too far in new drop spindles? Yup those are 73 and up spindles with 72 and down ball joints. Can swap the ball joints to correct it. Also double check the fit on the tie rods just in case. Jimmy __________________ 60 to 66 Chevy and GMC window decals http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=661131 Good friends, good food and a hotrod what else do you need? 1966 BBW long fleet Daily driver 1965 BBW short fleet Sold and going to a good home 1965 Suburban 2003 3500 Duramax 2005 Ultra Classic

11-20-2015, 10:01 AM	#5
SoCoC10 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Colorado Posts: 3,334	Re: Help! Upper and lower ball joints are too far in new drop spindles? Tie Rod fits perfect. That is what is confusing me. The upper and lower ball joint are brand new done by the previous owner. I would much rather install the correct spindle for the already done ball joints than change the ball joints to match the incorrect spindle. So i should install a 71-72 spindle? __________________ 07' Extcab Silverado Z71 Silver Birch, 5.3L HO 71' Cheyenne C10 Hugger Orange on Saddle SWB Besides these two, too Many to count

11-20-2015, 11:29 AM	#6
chevy_mike Never Ending Projects Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 3,836	Re: Help! Upper and lower ball joints are too far in new drop spindles? There are three different spindle year split, 63-70, 71-72 and 73-87. You need to know what ball joints you have to know what spindles you need. __________________ . 1965 C10 Panel, Tiki Express http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=506580 SOLD 1968 Chevy C10, Long, Fleetside, Hot Rod Hauler http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=313233 SOLD 1965 Chevy C10, Long, Fleetside, Hot Rod C10 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=415702 SOLD We were given two ears and one mouth for a reason... listen twice as much and speak half as often...

12-06-2015, 09:38 AM	#8
SoCoC10 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Colorado Posts: 3,334	Re: Help! Upper and lower ball joints are too far in new drop spindles? Thanks for all the input. I ended up with 71-72 drop spindles and it corrected the problem. I think you would all agree that since the truck had brand new upper and lower ball joints it was much easier to unbolt and bolt in the correct spindle than unbolt and press different ball joints. Please note that you must be a supporting member to post classified items. This includes but is not limited to What Its Worth, Want To Buy, Want To Trade, and For Sale. Please consider supporting the forum by subscribing. Further information on the subscription levels available are located here If you need any further assistance with that please contact any Admin for help. Last edited by ETsC10; 12-07-2015 at 12:42 AM.

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