Front drop spindle problem... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Lowenuf · 01-09-2017, 09:49 PM

I recently installed 62-70 drop spindles on my '72. I used the 69-70 upper and lower ball joints, and 69-70 outer tie rod end with the conversion sleeve that moves the 72 outer tie rod inward.....

The problem is that now the passenger side tire leans inward terribly at the top.....

Where should I start looking.....Thanks..

**Elliot949** · 01-09-2017, 10:34 PM

I am interested in this also...

Lowenuf · 01-09-2017, 11:30 PM

Just on a side note.....

The passenger side spring was removed so that I could better clean the lower seating pocket...

Could I possibly not have the spring seated correctly upon reinstalling? To the naked eye, it looks seated on the lower arm and in the upper fixture...

just thinking out loud..

**Elliot949** · 01-10-2017, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lowenuf

Just on a side note.....

The passenger side spring was removed so that I could better clean the lower seating pocket...

Could I possibly not have the spring seated correctly upon reinstalling? To the naked eye, it looks seated on the lower arm and in the upper fixture...

just thinking out loud..

I am dealing with the same issue... but all my front end is properly installed... So I would say probably not...

Mike C · 01-10-2017, 09:25 AM

Could well be a machining issue relative to the stock parts. This would change the front end alignment.

Have you had the truck aligned or looked to see how many shims and how they are oriented on the upper A arm?

**Elliot949** · 01-10-2017, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike C

Could well be a machining issue relative to the stock parts. This would change the front end alignment.

Have you had the truck aligned or looked to see how many shims and how they are oriented on the upper A arm?

I am running CPP A-arms, springs and spindles... I have had it aligned and am told that the only way to fix it is to put a longer A-arm bolts in to be able to put more shims in... To me that is not a great solution so I am looking for alternative solutions before going down that road...

James the III · 01-10-2017, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elliot949

I am running CPP A-arms, springs and spindles... I have had it aligned and am told that the only way to fix it is to put a longer A-arm bolts in to be able to put more shims in... To me that is not a great solution so I am looking for alternative solutions before going down that road...

What does it look like alignment spec's if you lift it to the height it be with stock springs?
Does it come back to normal..
I think the drop springs are the problem..

has your frame cupped are the sides still 90* to the ground? normal issue with a body's and b bodys, I'd think the truck frame would also suffer from this.. maybe more so as it's bolted/riveted together, not welded

**Elliot949** · 01-10-2017, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James the III

What does it look like alignment spec's if you lift it to the height it be with stock springs?
Does it come back to normal..
I think the drop springs are the problem..

has your frame cupped are the sides still 90* to the ground? normal issue with a body's and b bodys, I'd think the truck frame would also suffer from this.. maybe more so as it's bolted/riveted together, not welded

Frame is square... Left side is perfect it is only the passenger side that is the issue... is is so obvious the naked eye picks right up on it...

James the III · 01-10-2017, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elliot949

Frame is square... Left side is perfect it is only the passenger side that is the issue... is is so obvious the naked eye picks right up on it...

this is what I mean by cupped frame

\______/

the pass side is the one that gets the worst of it..

the top of the c channel bows out compared to the bottom.. and causes issues and need for tons of shims

**Elliot949** · 01-10-2017, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James the III

this is what I mean by cupped frame

\______/

the pass side is the one that gets the worst of it..

the top of the c channel bows out compared to the bottom.. and causes issues and need for tons of shims

Thank you for the input... Hopefully this will help the guy that started the thread but my frame was on A frame machine while it was being built...

72freak · 01-10-2017, 10:46 AM

If you have not been to an alignment shop yet, that should be your first step.

James the III · 01-10-2017, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elliot949

Thank you for the input... Hopefully this will help the guy that started the thread but my frame was on A frame machine while it was being built...

was it checked for this?? or just that it was square and not racked
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67ChevyRedneck · 01-10-2017, 10:55 AM

Use a flash light and look up into the upper spring perch. This is a small D shaped protusion that the upper spring fits over. You can usually tell something isn't right because the spring will be really close to one side of the cross member opening.

I've done quite a few front spring swaps over the years and I recently was in a hurry and didn't seat the top and had to do it all over again... didn't notice until eveyrthing was done and assembled... wasn't fun.

James the III · 01-10-2017, 11:18 AM

can the upper shaft for the a arm be put in backwards ?
I know they make offset shafts, but haven't looked closely to the stock one to see if it is at all or not..

Lowenuf · 01-10-2017, 11:50 AM

Thanks for all of the input ideas. Since I only installed lowering spindles, and reinstalled the stock springs, and only had the pasenger side spring out ( side of my problem ) i feel the spring might be compromised in one of the spring pockets... i will disassemble and look this week.. thx

oh, and btw, i never removed any of the A arms....

demian5 · 01-10-2017, 12:44 PM

If the spring isn't in and seated, it will raise the front end and cause negative camber (and toe-in) as you are experiencing.

Exactly the opposite (positive camber and possible toe out) when you lower the truck.

Lowenuf · 01-10-2017, 03:54 PM

Upon inspection, a non-seated spring is my problem. It is offset on the lower A-arm, and one coil is sitting on top of the cup lip....

This will get corrected tomorrow.

Thanks to everyone that left comments, they are much appreciated.....

demian5 · 01-10-2017, 04:22 PM

Drive it through some good dips, that will seat it!

01-09-2017, 09:49 PM	#1
Lowenuf Registered User Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Washington Court House Ohio Posts: 92	Front drop spindle problem... I recently installed 62-70 drop spindles on my '72. I used the 69-70 upper and lower ball joints, and 69-70 outer tie rod end with the conversion sleeve that moves the 72 outer tie rod inward..... The problem is that now the passenger side tire leans inward terribly at the top..... Where should I start looking.....Thanks..

01-09-2017, 10:34 PM	#2
Elliot949 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Winfield, Ks. Posts: 4,162	Re: Front drop spindle problem... I am interested in this also... __________________ Dan Johnston... Owner of My Dad's- '67 Chevy C-20 Custom Camper Short Fleetside Pickup PAPA J And our newest addition a- '71 Chevy CST/10 Short Fleetside Pickup Haulin' SOLD Papa J's Build Thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=612847 Haulin's Build Thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=671130SOLD B Bears Build Thread:http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=744210

01-09-2017, 11:30 PM	#3
Lowenuf Registered User Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Washington Court House Ohio Posts: 92	Re: Front drop spindle problem... Just on a side note..... The passenger side spring was removed so that I could better clean the lower seating pocket... Could I possibly not have the spring seated correctly upon reinstalling? To the naked eye, it looks seated on the lower arm and in the upper fixture... just thinking out loud..

01-10-2017, 09:25 AM	#5
Mike C Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Austin, TX, USA Posts: 7,727	Re: Front drop spindle problem... Could well be a machining issue relative to the stock parts. This would change the front end alignment. Have you had the truck aligned or looked to see how many shims and how they are oriented on the upper A arm? __________________ 44 Willys MB 52 M38A1 64 Corvette Coupe 68 Camaro 'vert LT1 & TH700 69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110 69 Chevy Short Step 4 1/2"/7" drop 72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's 02 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Duramax

01-10-2017, 10:46 AM	#11
72freak Rottenwood Garage Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Marietta, Georgia Posts: 4,321	Re: Front drop spindle problem... If you have not been to an alignment shop yet, that should be your first step. __________________ 2004 Chevrolet Suburban C1500 2001 Chevrolet 2500HD Crew 6.0 1999 Harley Davidson Electra Glide 1972 Chevrolet C-20 Custom Camper "Dump Truck" 1972 Chevrolet C-20 Suburban "Big Green" 1969 Chevrolet C-50 Wedge Hauler "Leonidis" 1966 C-10 2x4 short fleet 327 4 speed "Race Truck" 1952 Plymouth Cranbrook "Rican" (my grandfathers) 1931 Ford Model A Coupe "Black Beauty" 1930 Ford Model A truck "Club Cab" 4x4 Rottenwood Garage and Speed Shop.....where everything must be racy! *It's not just a hobby..It's a LIFESTYLE!!!* Thanks for nothing Barrett-Jackson You cant fix stupid or teach accountability! Time wasters, looky Lous and tire kickers are everywhere!

01-10-2017, 10:55 AM	#13
67ChevyRedneck Hittin E-Z Street on Mud Tires Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 23,090	Re: Front drop spindle problem... Use a flash light and look up into the upper spring perch. This is a small D shaped protusion that the upper spring fits over. You can usually tell something isn't right because the spring will be really close to one side of the cross member opening. I've done quite a few front spring swaps over the years and I recently was in a hurry and didn't seat the top and had to do it all over again... didn't notice until eveyrthing was done and assembled... wasn't fun. __________________ Jesse James 1967 C10 SWB Stepside: 350/700R4/3.73 1965 Ford Mustang: 289/T5-5spd/3.25 Trac-Loc 1968 Pontiac Firebird: Project Fire Chicken! 2015 Silverado Double Cab 5.3L Z71 2001 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4.0L 5spd 2020 Chevrolet Equinox Premium 2.0L Turbo 2011 Mustang V6 ~ Wife's ride American Born, Country by the Grace of God 1967 CST Shop Truck Rebuild! My 1967 C-10 Build Thread My Vintage Air A/C Install Project "On a Dime" Trying my hand at Home Renovation! 1965 Mustang Modifications!

01-10-2017, 11:18 AM	#14
James the III Registered User Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: lowell ma Posts: 750	Re: Front drop spindle problem... can the upper shaft for the a arm be put in backwards ? I know they make offset shafts, but haven't looked closely to the stock one to see if it is at all or not..

01-10-2017, 11:50 AM	#15
Lowenuf Registered User Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Washington Court House Ohio Posts: 92	Re: Front drop spindle problem... Thanks for all of the input ideas. Since I only installed lowering spindles, and reinstalled the stock springs, and only had the pasenger side spring out ( side of my problem ) i feel the spring might be compromised in one of the spring pockets... i will disassemble and look this week.. thx oh, and btw, i never removed any of the A arms....

01-10-2017, 12:44 PM	#16
demian5 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Lake Forest, CA Posts: 2,177	Re: Front drop spindle problem... If the spring isn't in and seated, it will raise the front end and cause negative camber (and toe-in) as you are experiencing. Exactly the opposite (positive camber and possible toe out) when you lower the truck. __________________ "Work hard, use your vacation days." 1970 C15 GMC Long Bed 1986 C20 Scottsdale 1983 K2500 Sierra Classic Suburban 6.2 Instagram: C10sofOC

01-10-2017, 03:54 PM	#17
Lowenuf Registered User Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Washington Court House Ohio Posts: 92	Re: Front drop spindle problem... Upon inspection, a non-seated spring is my problem. It is offset on the lower A-arm, and one coil is sitting on top of the cup lip.... This will get corrected tomorrow. Thanks to everyone that left comments, they are much appreciated.....

01-10-2017, 04:22 PM	#18
demian5 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Lake Forest, CA Posts: 2,177	Re: Front drop spindle problem... Drive it through some good dips, that will seat it! __________________ "Work hard, use your vacation days." 1970 C15 GMC Long Bed 1986 C20 Scottsdale 1983 K2500 Sierra Classic Suburban 6.2 Instagram: C10sofOC



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