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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Winnipeg, Canada
Posts: 52
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Problems w/ Spindles
I'm wanting to lower my truck using drop spindles. Currently it has spindles from a 84 gmc with the 1" rotors. All I switched was new upper and lower ball joints and the spindles from 73-87. Everything else is 70. This has given me a headache though. The wheels are tilted. The top of the wheels needs to go in, and the bottom needs to go out. Is there something I did wrong?
Is there any reason why these 3" drop spindles will not work with my truck? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/73-87...Q5fAccessories I am guessing they will fit with no problems, but the wheels will still be slanted when you look at them head on. Can anybody help me and tell me what I did wrong? |
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#2 |
its all about the +6 inches
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Hilliard Ohio
Posts: 2,693
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Re: Problems w/ Spindles
you need shims behind the shaft where the upper a arm bolts to the frame.
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#3 |
67-72 parts collector,…
![]() Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Mid-MO
Posts: 22,698
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Re: Problems w/ Spindles
Can you post any pics of your suspension? I'm not sure why the top of the spindles would be too far out. Normally you need to shim the upper a-arm to move it out. Is the front end "toed out" too far?
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Keith Convert to disc brakes. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444823 |
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Winnipeg, Canada
Posts: 52
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Re: Problems w/ Spindles
What do you mean by "toed out" ?
I'll get some pictures up tomorrow with the wheel removed. |
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#5 |
its all about the +6 inches
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Hilliard Ohio
Posts: 2,693
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Re: Problems w/ Spindles
oops, i read that backwards
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#6 |
67-72 parts collector,…
![]() Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Mid-MO
Posts: 22,698
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Re: Problems w/ Spindles
Do you need to adjust the tie rods in,... so both wheels point straight ahead.
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Keith Convert to disc brakes. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444823 |
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Winnipeg, Canada
Posts: 52
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Re: Problems w/ Spindles
Here is a picture of my front brakes with the wheel off. From the front view the entire rotor is angled (in the same direction as the red line but I made the red line more obvious). I realise the picture doesnt make it very clear and obvious, but with skinny tires on the front its quite noticeable. Is there anything I can do to fix this problem? Thanks
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#8 |
Watch out for your cornhole !
![]() Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Azle, Texas
Posts: 14,162
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Re: Problems w/ Spindles
That's too much for drop spindles. Summit spindles are a bit cheaper and name brand stuff.
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I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin |
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#9 |
laying low
![]() Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Searcy, Ark. USA
Posts: 13,271
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Re: Problems w/ Spindles
Bud have you put the truck on the ground since the spindle install? Or are you just noticing the tires leaning inward while jacked up? They will lean in a bit when jacked up but straighten up when sitting on the ground. It may only be a few shims off at ride height.
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Boog 69 Chevy stepside, 358/T350, 4.11 posi, 4.5/4 drop, rallys, poboy driver primer is finer 91 Chevy sportside, Tahoe, Yukon & GMC Crewcab All GM..'nuff said. I stand for the flag and kneel at the cross |
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#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Winnipeg, Canada
Posts: 52
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Re: Problems w/ Spindles
Yeah I have had the truck sitting on its wheels with no jack. Its quite noticeable when you look at it head on. I'm sorry but I still don't understand where exactly you put shims in order to push the bottom of the spindle outwards.
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#11 |
Blaze-Air
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Virginia
Posts: 1,117
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Re: Problems w/ Spindles
Looks like if anything, you need to remove upper control arm shims. That would pull your upper arm in closer to frame.
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#12 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Springfield, Oregon
Posts: 84
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Re: Problems w/ Spindles
I would take it to a Alignment shop.
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#13 | |
67-72 parts collector,…
![]() Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Mid-MO
Posts: 22,698
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Re: Problems w/ Spindles
Quote:
There is NO shim to push the bottom outward. Only the upper a-arm. I agree with taking it to the alignment shop first.
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Keith Convert to disc brakes. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444823 |
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#14 |
Watch out for your cornhole !
![]() Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Azle, Texas
Posts: 14,162
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Re: Problems w/ Spindles
I'd imagine your old ball joints were very worn and correspondingly, the alignment was for them. Now, with the new, tight ball joints, you need to re-align it and will wind up removing shims from the shim packs.
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I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin |
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#15 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: North Louisiana
Posts: 4,501
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Re: Problems w/ Spindles
I did a similar conversion recently and had the same problem. I put 73-87 2.5" drop spindles on my '70, and my wheels leaned out at the top.(too much positive camber) I had to take out 3 shims in the front and back of the control arm just to make it look right, and I will probably have to remove the 1/4" spacers for the final alignment. The alignment shims are located between the upper control arm shaft and the frame. Make sure that your outer tie rods are correct too, 73-87 are different than 67-70. Those shims look like this.
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Wynne 70 CST short fleet Hugger orange & white, 350/350, ps, pb, air, tilt, tach/vac/speedwarning, original buckets, AM/FM, oak bed floor, shoulder belts, 3.5"/5.5" drop, 20" American Racing VN425s. Build thread 53 Chevy shortbed 69 Camaro Click here to subscribe Chevy GMC International Truck Club Louisiana Charter Member http://www.louisianaclassictruckclub.com Last edited by HuggerCST; 06-09-2009 at 10:16 AM. |
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#16 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Winnipeg, Canada
Posts: 52
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Re: Problems w/ Spindles
Quote:
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