71Spindles?

[wxman1]

Years ago I bought 71 spindles for my 69 C10 1/2 ton P/U in hopes of doing a
disc brake upgrade. Well I finally bought the upgrade kit from Southern Kentucky Classics at the AACA show at the Tn State Fairgrounds yesterday.

From the research i have done, I assume that I will still need:

1) 71 ball joints
2) 71 tie rod ends
3) proportioning valve

Do I need to changeout the master cylinder?

Also, are there any good write ups WITH pictures that show this upgrade.
I've done brake work on this truck before, but nothing this extensive.

Jim
Posted via Mobile Device
Posted via Mobile Device

[wxman1]

One other thing, when I bought the spindles, I was told they were 71 spindles. Is there any wat to tell for sure by the stampings on them?

Jim
Posted via Mobile Device

[SS Tim]

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...68&postcount=4

[wxman1]

I have removed the brake shoe and backing plate from the left hand side...see
The included image. I now have to remove the old spindle and replace the ball joints. So I assume that you have to use some sort of spring compressor to
Squash the spring and then unbolt the A-arms from the spindle. The one spring compressor that I saw was too big...for a Macpherson strut. Can somebody post a pic of the device you used to compress the spring and where you got it.
Thanks!

Jim
Posted via Mobile Device

[lolife99]

http://www.classicperform.com/discdrop.htm

[wxman1]

Hey thanks Keith...that web page really helped answer a lot of questions!

Jim

[Juarez823]

Just to give my two cents and save you some money, don't invest in the conversion brake hoses. Buy hoses for a 72 Chevy impala and they are non directional also wont need an adapter with those
Posted via Mobile Device

[wxman1]

Well...the learning curve continues. The FAQ says that you must have matching outer tie rod ends for you spindles. Thus I thought my 71 spindles
would need 71 outer tie rod ends. Removed the old tie rod end and found out
that the 71 tie rod end is about .06 " bigger... .682 vice .625. Hmmm...hmmm.
Called the tech people at Classic Performance Parts in CA. (bye the way,
I did not get the conversion "kit" from them) Told them my problem. He knew exactly what I needed. After re-reading the write up by Brian McCormick on CPPs website...he says exactly the same thing. CPP makes a custom adjusting sleeve that I have to use. So the deal is...I install the 71 outer tie rod into the
custom made adjusting sleeve. I then take the old outer tie rod and use it as the inner tie rod. I'm told this setup is supposed to work.

Well...I guess the lesson is...do a bit more research and get a "more complete"
kit.

Jim

[lolife99]

63-70 conversion spindles would have eliminated all the tie rod issues.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Longhorn 70]

just another note...if I may, you don't need to remove the backing plate. Losten the bottom 2 bolts about 3-4 turns. Then pry a screwdriver between the plate and spindle. It's easier than it sounds. Then you can remove backing plate, spindle wheel cylinder and all in one piece. Saved me time.

[wxman1]

Well looks like I'll be waiting till next week to get the "custom tie rod adjusters" from the West Coast.

The problem with this venture from day one is that there is no technical info on this conversion package from either the kit supplier or the kit retailer. The only real helpful info has been from the Brian McCormick writeup on the CPP website. So I'm sort of feeling my way as I go. Not blaming anybody else for this situation, but I'll do it differently next time.

The real holdup is the tie rod situation. The 69 tie rods look like they would fit the 71 spindles. So what's the reason for the tie rod change? Are the 69 tie rods not a fit to the 71 spindles or is it a length difference. I'm not sure.
If any one else has a clue about this...please share.

Jim

[lolife99]

No,... '69 outer tie rods will not fit your 71 spindle.

71-72 outer tie rods are RH thread and 11/16" diameter.
65-70 outer tie rods are LH thread and 5/8" diameter.

You will need:
1) 65-70 outer tie rod bolted in the "inner tie rod location".
2) conversion tie rod sleeves
3) 71-72 outer tie rods bolted to your spindle.
.

[lolife99]

Per the Brian McCormick tech article,...

21. Here is where you must pay close attention to the instructions.
The kit provides a new outer tie-rod end (71-72) and custom made sleeve.
The old outer tie-rod end (65-70) will now become the inner tie-rod end if it is still useable.

[N2TRUX]

wxman1 if you take a moment to read the advice offered by lolife99 you might save yourself some time. He is our resident expert on these trucks suspension and knows what it takes to make your conversion work right.

[wxman1]

Thanks to Kieth(lolife99) for the advice on the tie rod issues. I ask the
question about the tie rods because after mounting the 71 spindles the old
tie rods ends seemed to fit nicely into the attachment hole on the 71 spindles. Maybe that was just an illusion. Sometimes on boards like this its hard to tell who is just guessing and who has actual hands on experience.

Well the spindles, rotors, caliphers and flexible brake lines all mounted and
connected now. See pix attached. So I'm waiting on the 2 custom adjuster
sleeves from CPP. In the next day or 2 I will mount the new power brake booster and master cylinder as well as the proportioning valve. Then bleed the entire system and hope for no leaks.(I'll bench bleed the master cylinder first).

Fun...fun...fun...ehhh???

Jim

[wxman1]

Well the brake conversion on my 69 C-10 P/U continues...although a bit
slower than I had hoped. I have assembled the proportioning valve to the master cylinder but I can't find a diagram showing where the boot(supplied with
the master cylinder) goes. See attached pix. I'm assuming it goes on the piston
...but does it go open side toward the booster...or open side toward the master
cylinder?

Also...I've read that I won't be able to use my rally wheels on the front after
this conversion. There was some talk about using 1/2" spacers on the front to make it work. Does anybody know if that is true?

Thanks!

Jim