Brake caliper with drop spindles issue

[Damon23]

The 13200 2.5in drop spindle from western chassis that I ordered will not work with the brake caliper that I have on my truck. I measured the thickness of the rotor and they are 1in. so I ordered accordingly. The caliper bolt holes are not even close when trying to put the caliper back on. My question is will a 1in rotor work on a truck that is supposed to have 1.25in? Maybe someone down the line cheaped out and bought smaller rotors? The part number on the calipers are
K18007150 N GM and also there is a 39 L and on the far corner near one of the bolt holes is a C30. Any help would be great as the truck on jackstands with the drivers side front off. Thanks.

[Damon23]

Never mind. I took the spindle up to the parts store and it appears someone put 1in rotors on the truck at some point so this would explain the caliper problem. I guess I'll exchange the spindles and get some proper rotors. On my SPID card the brake option is not listed. I guess that would be too easy.
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[Damon23]

Nope, wrong again. Went down to summit and got the 1.25 spindles and still have the same problem. Caliper is too big to fit the spindle. I'm lost. I guess the next step is to take those spindles back, get the 1in ones and take those to a parts store and match up new calipers. I ran the numbers on the calipers and they come back 81-up GM truck. I wonder if Summit got a bunch where the casting is off, I don't know. Any help would be appreciated.

[lolife99]

Spindles, caliper and rotors all have to match.
Start with the spindle and replace everything.
(one of the rotor bearings is even different)

They will be either the 1" light duty version or the HD 1.25" version.

[Damon23]

Yeah, I figured it was thrown together at some point but since the 1.25in spindles have the same issue then it must be a problem with the casting on the spindles. Western Chassis is supposed to call me on Monday but I'll probably end up calling them. Summit is 15 minutes from my office. I was just hoping to get this done today. If it is indeed a problem with the casting I guess I can try a different brand spindle. I'll just have to take my caliper down with me.

[lolife99]

How do you know your caliper is correct?
Buy everything new and be done.

Can you post some pics of your original parts?

[Damon23]

I don't know really. Here are some photos. I agree, the best way to go about this is to get the 13200's back and just match them up with some calipers at the parts store. I think loaded calipers for it are $49 each. I threw the old parts back on. Hope the pics tell you something.

[lolife99]

All I see in the pics is the caliper piston extended out.
I ususally compress them before I try to put the caliper on with new pads.
Without seeing your problem in person I can't help.
I wish you had some pics with the new spindles.

[lolife99]

The caliper bolt holes don't line up?
Or the caliper won't slide into position where these red lines are?

[Damon23]

The problem is the caliper bolt holes won't line up because the opening in the spindle is too small. The pads are not a issue. This is why I think it may be a casting issue with the spindle itself. Been doing some reading and I'm not the only one that has had this problem. Before I grind on brand new parts ill wait to hear what western has to say. One person said the beat them on with a sledge hammer and I even know that can't be right.
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[Damon23]

Right. The caliper won't slide into position to be able to line up the holes.
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[lolife99]

I would grind the caliper before I beat on anything.
Summit sells all kinds of spindles.
Just buy a different brand,... but match them to your rotors and calipers.

[lolife99]

http://www.summitracing.com/search/y...height/lowered
CPP HD spindles are only $209.
The 1" rotor spindles are usually higher,...

[Damon23]

I'm going to take my caliper to summit and if I can't match them the guy at advanced said to bring in the spindle, he has gone thru this before.
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[Damon23]

Success!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I talked to Western Chassis and he told me about a rough cast issue they've seen. So, I took a little off the top and the bottom where the caliper slides thru and took a little off the top and bottom of the caliper and it fit like a glove. It also helped once I bent the brake line going into the caliper a little. Tomorrow I'll tackle the other side. Should go smoother now that I know what to expect. Thanks for you help lolife99.

Oh, why did my alignment get thrown off by just adding a 2.5 drop spindle. My driver side wheel is pointing outward while the passenger side is straight. I guess I'll see what happens when I do the passenger side.

[lolife99]

The tie rod arms of the drop spindles are bent inward a little, (by design),... compared to stock oem spindles.
This helps the tie rods clear the wheel after the drop spindles are installed.
It also toes out the front end.
It's easily adjusted when you have the front end aligned.