pics of ground down spindles?

[menace121978]

hey guys, just ordered my 3" drop spindles and they should be here day after tomorrow. i was wondering if anyone has any pics of where they had to grind down the spindles to make a 15" wheel fit. i want to be able to grind them down, paint, and install them without having to test fit the wheels and id imagine it would be easier to do the grinding and painting before they are installed. any advice and info is apprieciated. thanks, Dennis

[lolife99]

All spindles are different. I have seen people grind on the caliper, itself,... on the spindle arm that connects to the outer tie rod,... and not at all. Most people have to grind on the lower control arm to gain wheel clearance for 15" wheels.

How much backspace do your 15" wheels have?
I would suggest paintiing the spindles and then touching them up after you find any problem areas.
What brand of spindles did you buy?

Plus,... when checking for clearance issues. set the truck on the ground and turn the wheels all the way to the left and right. Also look at any wheel weights that are on the back side of the wheels, for interference.
Keep us posted.

[menace121978]

thanks lolife99. i ordered djm spindles and the wheels i had on before. i would test fit them but i still have to order new rotors and calipers.

would the drop spindles make the control arm hit even though i ran the same wheels before? i'll probably end up doing as you suggested and touch them up when i install the wheels. and i'm not sure on the backspacing... do i just measure the lip on the inside of the wheel?

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by menace121978

thanks lolife99. i ordered djm spindles and the wheels i had on before. i would test fit them but i still have to order new rotors and calipers.

would the drop spindles make the control arm hit even though i ran the same wheels before? i'll probably end up doing as you suggested and touch them up when i install the wheels. and i'm not sure on the backspacing... do i just measure the lip on the inside of the wheel?

Yes. These drop spindles move the spindle itself up 3" in relationship to the ball joints. That makes the inside edge of the wheel closer to the lower ball joint.
Check backspacing by measuring from the center of the back side of the wheel,... up to the lip on the back side of the wheel. A 4" backspace will require a little grinding. 3.5" BS should clear fine.

[heavychevy79]

I had 3" DJM spindles and I had to grind the brake caliper area, but not the caliper itself, or anything on the bottom controll arm, or tie rod end.
That was to fit rally wheels, plain 15x7 wheels would rub only a tiny bit.

But like lolife said, they could be cast a little different each time.

[menace121978]

right on thanks guys, i just measured the mags/slots and they seem to be 3" back space. i'll just do as planed and keep putting her together until i finally put on the wheels and see where i'm at.