Trying to find bearings to fit '72 C10 drop spindles

[cjenks1970]

I'm working on a '72 C20 project truck that I'm lowering the front end on. I have a pair of Early Classics drop spindles (originally purchased in 1998) and I have a pair of C10 5 lug replacement rotors (5×5 bolt pattern) but I'm having trouble finding the correct wheel bearings to fit these spindles. Even though the spindles were never used, they sat for so long that I can't make out any sort of part # on them. I've read through other posts that this isn't as uncommon as I thought. Does anyone have any info on what bearings I should use for this application? I'm only using these items now for my mock up because I already had these lying around the shop and figured I'd use them just to get an idea of a ride height before I went on to more serious fab work and more $$. Any thoughts and/or ideas would be greatly appreciated.

[slikside]

Try calling ECE directly. Here is their tech support line:

559.291.1611

Haven't used 'em myself, but everyone raves about their customer service.

[leddzepp]

If your drop spindles are for a C20, then five lug 1/2 ton rotors will not work. Every drop spindle I've used works with OEM bearings.

[cjenks1970]

The truck is technically a C20 but I'm converting everything on the front end to 1/2 ton and getting rid of the 8 lug heavy duty rotors, etc. I should've clarified that. Sorry.

[cdowns]

try local autoparts satores

[cjenks1970]

Thanks to everyone that's replied. Here are a few pictures of what I'm dealing with. You'll see in these pics that I have a drop spindle for a 72 C10 and the bearings are for a 72 1/2 ton(as I'm switching all the front end over to 1/2 ton to lower it). You can see that they don't fit quite right on the spindle. In one pic you can see how the 1/2 ton (5 lug) rotor fits farther off the collar of the spindle and in one pic you can see how a complete stock set up fits (even though it's 3/4 ton stuff I took off) sits farther down on its spindle. That last pic is of the bearings and what the boxes my local parts store has on hand. This is driving me crazy. 72 stock stuff doesn't seem to work.

[michael bustamante]

i wonder if 73 and up bearings are different. maybe you have 73 drop spindles

[cdowns]

Me i'd try cleaning up the spindles with very fine sandpaper like 1500-2000 grit and i'd heat the bearings to install them

[dirtyjim]

the inner should be a A5 bearing the A6 is for light duty rotors and spindl

[cjenks1970]

i just looked at my local AutoZone for what was listed for 73 & up and it was all the same: A3 for the outer and A5/A6 for the inner. I did have both A5 & A6 inner bearings in my shop and both didn't work (figured the A5 was for light duty but wanted to see if it made a difference). I think I'll try CDOWNS suggestion about heating them up and cleaning the spindles up with fine sand paper. i'm telling you, these are just a HAIR off and its driving me absolutely NUTS. Thanks for all the suggestions and help.

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by dirtyjim

the inner should be a A5 bearing the A6 is for light duty rotors and spindl

x2.
Should be A5 and A3 bearings for the HD rotors.
Whats the width of the 5-lug rotor that you are trying to use?
Should be 1.25" wide

[slikside]

Originally Posted by cdowns

Me i'd try cleaning up the spindles with very fine sandpaper like 1500-2000 grit and i'd heat the bearings to install them

Fine sandpaper to clean up, sure. But if you need heat to make wheel bearings fit, you've got the wrong bearings.

[WIDESIDE72]

Originally Posted by cdowns

...i'd heat the bearings to install them

uh,nooo....

[mMad Dawg]

just a thought. Since you ordered those spindles a while back. Any chance they may be drop spindles for a 3/4 ton . Try the rotors off of you 3/4 ton and see if they go on.Nothing to lose!!

[mgchevyparts]

A5 AND A3, clean up the spindle