Drop lower control arms vs spindles? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**PRattenbury** · 05-26-2011, 04:55 AM

So, after crushing and otherwise damaging my control arms that I spent so much time and effort in, I was put in a position where I needed some replacements. Instead of getting some other stockers I decided to go with tubular ones. And since I was needing to replace the arms anyway I decided to get drop arms instead of using drop spindles. So it looks like 3" drop arms and 2" drop springs. Will this cause me any massive problems? I have the stock spindles all cleaned up nice and freshly painted...

rare86 · 05-26-2011, 07:53 AM

Shouldnt be a problem. I have the uppers and lower arms on my truck with springs and the alignment shop I took it too said that it was the best setup they had seen. It didnt require the massive amount of shims some do. I have 18s on my truck so Im not really sure if stock wheels fit, but I think I have heard that they will.

SCOTI · 05-26-2011, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PRattenbury

So, after crushing and otherwise damaging my control arms that I spent so much time and effort in, I was put in a position where I needed some replacements. Instead of getting some other stockers I decided to go with tubular ones. And since I was needing to replace the arms anyway I decided to get drop arms instead of using drop spindles. So it looks like 3" drop arms and 2" drop springs. Will this cause me any massive problems? I have the stock spindles all cleaned up nice and freshly painted...

How were your 'original' control arms damaged?

**PRattenbury** · 05-26-2011, 05:45 PM

I put them in my 12 ton shop press and things went wrong.

**PRattenbury** · 05-26-2011, 06:32 PM

My control arms have arrived. I will have front suspension done this weekend for sure. If I'm lucky I'll even have an engine installed. I'll be taking some pics, of course.

TIM86 · 05-26-2011, 07:07 PM

Curious what the price is for the control arms? Didnt realize this option was out there.

**PRattenbury** · 05-26-2011, 07:35 PM

500 for lowers, 250 for uppers, roughly. includes the bushings and ball joints

**PRattenbury** · 05-27-2011, 01:35 PM

Any other drop experts have input? N2TRUX? Muthstryker? Lilpoindexter?

SCOTI · 05-27-2011, 04:30 PM

The number one concern w/dropped a-arms is the spring pocket will be lower than the lowest point of typical contact (the lower a-arm shaft bushings/hardware). It can snag anything sticking up from the road surface.

My old roomates 65 was destroyed because of the a-arm pocket on his 'So-Low' brand dropped arms hanging up on a manhole cover (he used a dropped arm/dropped coil kit).

**PRattenbury** · 05-27-2011, 05:33 PM

Well, that is certainly something to watch out for! Thanks!

**PRattenbury** · 05-28-2011, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PRattenbury

Any other drop experts have input? N2TRUX? Muthstryker? Lilpoindexter?

Nobody else huh?

85X3 · 05-28-2011, 11:26 AM

I'm running DJM upper and lower arms with no problem other than a slight bumpsteer issue. I plan on correcting this by doing a tie-rod flip or a T-bird R&P. I noticed that Rare86 eliminated the sway bar. I eliminated the sway bar brackets @ the frame horns. Makes for a cleaner install. I also set the caster @ 4½° positive (DS) and 5° (PS). Really handles well. I have a rear sway bar from 2nd generation camaro to install also, but that upgrade is on the back burner for now.

05-26-2011, 04:55 AM	#1
PRattenbury Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Maumelle, AR Posts: 478	Drop lower control arms vs spindles? So, after crushing and otherwise damaging my control arms that I spent so much time and effort in, I was put in a position where I needed some replacements. Instead of getting some other stockers I decided to go with tubular ones. And since I was needing to replace the arms anyway I decided to get drop arms instead of using drop spindles. So it looks like 3" drop arms and 2" drop springs. Will this cause me any massive problems? I have the stock spindles all cleaned up nice and freshly painted...

05-26-2011, 07:53 AM	#2
rare86 Extended cab fanatic Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Gardendale, Tx Posts: 314	Re: Drop lower control arms vs spindles? Shouldnt be a problem. I have the uppers and lower arms on my truck with springs and the alignment shop I took it too said that it was the best setup they had seen. It didnt require the massive amount of shims some do. I have 18s on my truck so Im not really sure if stock wheels fit, but I think I have heard that they will. __________________ If it has a motor, it has my attention.

05-26-2011, 05:45 PM	#4
PRattenbury Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Maumelle, AR Posts: 478	Re: Drop lower control arms vs spindles? I put them in my 12 ton shop press and things went wrong.

05-26-2011, 06:32 PM	#5
PRattenbury Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Maumelle, AR Posts: 478	Re: Drop lower control arms vs spindles? My control arms have arrived. I will have front suspension done this weekend for sure. If I'm lucky I'll even have an engine installed. I'll be taking some pics, of course.

05-26-2011, 07:07 PM	#6
TIM86 Registered User Join Date: May 2011 Location: St.Petersburg,FL Posts: 158	Re: Drop lower control arms vs spindles? Curious what the price is for the control arms? Didnt realize this option was out there.

05-26-2011, 07:35 PM	#7
PRattenbury Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Maumelle, AR Posts: 478	Re: Drop lower control arms vs spindles? 500 for lowers, 250 for uppers, roughly. includes the bushings and ball joints

05-27-2011, 01:35 PM	#8
PRattenbury Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Maumelle, AR Posts: 478	Re: Drop lower control arms vs spindles? Any other drop experts have input? N2TRUX? Muthstryker? Lilpoindexter?

05-27-2011, 04:30 PM	#9
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 21,938	Re: Drop lower control arms vs spindles? The number one concern w/dropped a-arms is the spring pocket will be lower than the lowest point of typical contact (the lower a-arm shaft bushings/hardware). It can snag anything sticking up from the road surface. My old roomates 65 was destroyed because of the a-arm pocket on his 'So-Low' brand dropped arms hanging up on a manhole cover (he used a dropped arm/dropped coil kit). __________________ 67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... *Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.*

05-27-2011, 05:33 PM	#10
PRattenbury Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Maumelle, AR Posts: 478	Re: Drop lower control arms vs spindles? Well, that is certainly something to watch out for! Thanks!

05-28-2011, 11:26 AM	#12
85X3 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Mid MI Posts: 67	Re: Drop lower control arms vs spindles? I'm running DJM upper and lower arms with no problem other than a slight bumpsteer issue. I plan on correcting this by doing a tie-rod flip or a T-bird R&P. I noticed that Rare86 eliminated the sway bar. I eliminated the sway bar brackets @ the frame horns. Makes for a cleaner install. I also set the caster @ 4½° positive (DS) and 5° (PS). Really handles well. I have a rear sway bar from 2nd generation camaro to install also, but that upgrade is on the back burner for now.



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