Drop spindle advise?

[Chlsnk]

I have looked at some other build threads and this install looks pretty straight forward. So i'm going to undertake installing my 3 inch chassis tech drop spindles Saturday with some buddies. Does any one have any advice/pointers to pass on to me before I dive into the install? Tool's that will make the install easier I have the pickle forks and prybars to help seperate the ball joints anything else special?
I'm aware the a-arm will most likely need to be ground down on the lip.
Also will I need to purchase new wheel bearings and have them pressed on the spindles?

thanks

[Edgel82c10]

Just put 2.5 drop spindles on mine last weekend, while I was having it tore down i replaced upper and lower ball joints and new axle bearings, races and seal. Pretty much a straight forward change I didnt need a fork to separate the ball joints or tie rod ends just used a 2 1/2lb hammer and jarred the old spindle and they came out. (with several taps and a busted knuckle, but thats just my luck wife says I cant accomplish nothing unless I bleed.)

[baclay9]

Your wheel bearings are in the hubs, not pressed onto the spindles. Yes I would replace the outer bearings and inner bearings and seals while I had it apart.

[Stitch]

the wheel bearings go into the front and back of the rotor...you may want to replace your wheel bearings while you're in there...it wouldn't hurt...it should be pretty straight forward...I would take the nut on the bottom ball joint loose and then thread it back on a couple of turns and then whack the control arm with a mallet...do the same with the top control arm...that way you shouldn't have to put a pickle fork on the ball joint...they tend to tear the ball joint up...

[1LowToy]

I've never had any luck with the big hammer trick. Do you hit a the A arm with it or the spindle near the ball joint? Am I doing it wrong?

[lolife99]

Spindle near the ball joint.
Let the spring pressure help you do the work.

[mooseknuckles]

I never had any luck with the hammer trick either.....watch the ball joint boots with the fork you'll tear them.

[SBTork]

I've had great luck with the hammer method. You just beat the spindle right where the ball joint stud goes up through. I did that on my suburban when I dropped it a few weeks ago and it came apart quick and easy. I am sure the front end had not been apart before since all the ball joints were still the stock ones.

[3r!c84]

let some wd40 soak in for a good 5 mins then back off the nut but dont take it off and give it a good sping or 2 and it comes right out no prob

[Chlsnk]

I don't see seized nuts being a big problem every night this week I have sprayed all the bolts/nuts that are going to come off with the spindle swap. And I don't understand why people are so scared of the built up tension in the springs. each time I have removed stock springs (twice now) and my drop springs (once) there has been no violent release of tension from my springs usually they just pull right out.

[mrnize]

Just lowered my truck with 3 inch spindles... dam near replaced the whole front end suspension, control arm bushings upper and lower... all ball joints etc etc.. breaks, rotors..

If u have time and money, I recommend replacing all the steering and suspension parts along with breaks if needed all maintenance stuff anyways.. just my opinion. Also, be prepared to have new boots for the ball joints if using the pickle fork.. you can tear them old things easily.

Good luck with the lowering, I thought it was only gonna take me 3 days to do rear and front and boy I didn't know what I was getting into with my Dad there to help

[Chlsnk]

I hope tommorrow night and then Saturday we are going to be able to knock out putting the spindles on.

[70c10lt1]

I've been doing this type work for 40+ years, use the spring to help you get it apart. before you jack it up place a 2x4 block between the frame and upper arm, loosen the nut a few threads, jack up under the crossmember so the weight is off the tire, at the upper ball area buck the back side of the spindle with a big hammer and hit the front side with a medium hammer. After it's loose jack up under the lower arm and take the 2x4 out, leave the nut on the upper ball, let truck down so weight is on tire, loosen the lower ball nut a few threads, buck the back side of the lower ball as before and smack the front side with the hammer. After it's loose jack up under the lower arm, take the caliper, rotor, & ball nuts off, bust the tie rod lose using the same hammer set up and remove the spindle. Use caution as the spring has a lot of energy stored up in the compressed position. If you're replacing it too, remove the shock lower bolt, place a chain around the spring and through the lower arm near the back bushing (leave chain loose) let the arm down and jack the frame up so the arm swings down letting the spring relax. At this point pry the spring out " shouldn't take a lot of pressure to get it out"

[HumbleChevyBuddy]

I replaced my entire front suspension a few months back. It was pretty straight forward until I ran into an issue with a stuck spindle. No matter what I did, I couldn't get it loose. Finally, I followed the old rule and got a bigger hammer! I thought about a couple of bills I had to pay that weekend to build up some anger and let loose on the lower control arm and BINGO! I was first using a 2.5 lb sledge and that didn't work. I upgraded to a 4 lb and that did the trick.

My advice is have some bills nearby and a big hammer!

[3r!c84]

Soak it in pb blaster for like 10mins and one good hit and it's out
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