Spindle?

[blazntn]

I have Drop spindles and disc on my 69 C-10. It appears that the balljoints are the originals. I have talked to a company about control arms, they use the newer style ball joints. Will my spindles work?

Do I have to get new spindles? If so do I have to get all new brakes?

thanks

[chevy_mike]

There are basically three different spindle setups relating to ball joints. '63-'70, '71-'72 and '73-'87. The differences are the ball joint stud size and tie rod end stud size. The tie rod issue you can use different ends and adapters to make things work but the ball joint issue, you have to use the correct ones for the year spindle style.

In your case, if your '69 is using '63-'70 ball joints (i.e. original) then your spindle will be using these. If the different control arms are using later ball joints, you either have to change the spindles OR if they are using factory mounted type ball joints, change then to the earlier ones. Now if they are using a screw in ball joint or some other custom one, you have no choice but replace the spindles. Most likely, if you have to replace the spindles, your disc brakes should swap over but without knowing what you already have, I won't say 100% yes.

Hope that helps.

[blazntn]

Sorry man I dont know much about spindles. Are you saying that I am going to have to get new spindles. Can I get huds and rotor and stuff at the local parts store? Mine is currently 6 lug and I would like to convert to 5.

[chevy_mike]

The question you have to answer is, what ball joints are these new arms using? That will dictate what spindles you use.

[blazntn]

I am pretty sure the control arms come with the 73-87

[tech@scottshotrods]

change the balljoints and ur good 63-67 68-72 73-87 are the different style ball joints

[chevy_mike]

Not that Jon doesn't have good info but I will have to disagree with the '68-'72 split. '71-'72 were when they went to disc brakes and the ball joints changed to heavier duty ones. '63-'70 used drum brakes and the same spindles and ball joints. Again this info is all for 1/2 ton suspensions.

To blazntn: on the new control arms, just change the '73-'78 ball joints out with one for a '63-'70 ball joints and your spindles will work fine. As for changing the bolt pattern, most (but not all) companies use a "modified" 5 lug rotor, setup for 6 lug. Old way was they drill the new pattern onto a 5 lug rotor. New way is getting the rotor blanks already drilled for 6 lug without ever having 5 lug drill prior. You should be able to get '73-'87 5 lug rotors and just swap them onto your spindles.

Again, all this info is based on your setup being a "standard" aftermarket disc conversion and not some special or pieced together kit.

[PBFAB.COM]

63-70 upper and lower ball joint studs have a unique taper, and are only compatible with 63-70 spindles.

71-72 upper ball joint studs have a unique taper and are only compatible with 71-72 spindles.

71-87 lower ball joint studs have a unique taper and are only compatible with 71-87 spindles.

71-72 upper ball joint stud has a unique taper and is only compatible with 71-72 spindles.

73-87 upper ball joint stud has a unique taper and is only compatible with 73-87 spindles.

You won't need new spindles... just have the arms shipped with the 63-70 ball joints so they work with what you have.

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by blazntn

I have Drop spindles and disc on my 69 C-10. It appears that the balljoints are the originals. I have talked to a company about control arms, they use the newer style ball joints. Will my spindles work?

Do I have to get new spindles? If so do I have to get all new brakes?

thanks

Obviously your truck has had the drum brakes swapped to disc brakes.
The problem is you don't know what you currently have on the truck for parts. (63-70, 71-72, or 73-87)

Can you post any pics of your a-arms, and balljoints.
I suspect someone swapped in 71-72 parts or 73-87 parts.
Maybe even the entire crossmember.

Like Nate said,... most a-arms can be purchased with whichever balljoint style you need.
We just have to figure out what you have.

[tech@scottshotrods]

Show Off! Thanks Nate! See ya in a couple days mang!

[blazntn]

Here is the best pic I could find. Let me know if you can tell anything about it.

[tech@scottshotrods]

the ball joint break i listed is how we installed them at A.R.T

[lolife99]

Your a-arms are the 63-72 version because of the steel bushings in the cross shafts.
The 73-87 a-arms have rubber bushings.

This still doesn't tell us which balljoints you have.
I would order the a-arms from Porterbuilt Street rods and just swap in your ball joints, out of the stock arms.
To me this is the easiest solution.

Even if you want to replace the balljoints, with new ones,...
The easiest method is to take one of your spindles to a local parts store and try the different versions until you find to correct one.
The uppers could be one of three choices:
63-70, 71-72, or 73-87

The lowers could be one of two choices:
63-70, or 71-87

[blazntn]

Here are a couple close ups!

[fabguy]

Where did you get that front X member setup? I like it

[blazntn]

That is a Porterbuilt Dropmember!

[lolife99]

OK,... the 73-87 balljoints are out,... since the uppers are originals.
(with the factory rivets)
I assume they fit your drop spindles ok?
Are they tight in the taper of the spindle?

If so,... my bet is they are 71-72 spindles.

I would still pop the spindles off and confirm it with new balljoints prior to buying a-arms.
The Porterbuilt tubular a-arms would look sweet with your Dropmember!

[lolife99]

Do your lower a-arms also have the steel bushed cross shafts?
I can't tell by your pictures.

[chevy_mike]

Yeah, that's the problem with ball joints, you really can't tell them apart unless you have other to compare it with.

Did the arms that you have now, have disc brakes before adding dropped spindles? If they were drum brakes, you would have '63-'70. If it was disc brakes before the dropped spindles, you have '71-'72.

[raycow]

How can you know for sure that the spindles are GM factory parts? They could also be from an aftermarket disc conversion that take the early ball joints and tie rod ends.

Ray

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by raycow

How can you know for sure that the spindles are GM factory parts? They could also be from an aftermarket disc conversion that take the early ball joints and tie rod ends.

Ray

They are definitely aftermarket spindles because they are drop spindles.
Checking with "known" balljoints is the only way I know, to verify what they are.

[N2TRUX]

Great info. All this needs to be on a spread sheet for us "visual" kind of guys.

[SactoJim]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

Great info. All this needs to be on a spread sheet for us "visual" kind of guys.

YES....I second that......visual aids are our friends!

[blazntn]

Ya I just dont know what to do?

I want to get the Dallas Hot Rod arms, but they come with 73-87 ball-joints

I want to convert to 5 lug

I dont want to have to spend a ton of money doing it!

Can someone dumb it down for me!!!!!

[PBFAB.COM]

Originally Posted by blazntn

Can someone dumb it down for me!!!!!

Buy the arms, get them without ball joints (hopefully work a discount for no ball joints). Then take your spindle to the parts house; have them match up which ball joints fit; install ball joints in arms (the only dimension that differs on the ball joints from 63-87 is the ball joint taper. If 73-87 ball joints fit in the arms, so will the 63-70 and 71-72 styles).