Ball Joints and Spindles - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

SuperDuperDoughnuts · 05-13-2023, 07:24 AM

I plan on rebuilding my front suspension sometime soon on my '65. Some previous owner threw some disc spindles on and I'm somewhat worried they may have converted to later-year ball joints in the process. What can I measure so I can make sure I buy the correct ball joints that will work with whatever spindles are on the truck.

**Getter-Done** · 05-13-2023, 09:00 AM

Here is a thread in the link below that you may find some useful info in.

It is 15 pages long and list part #'s and various options of what the previous owner may have done.

Hope this helps.

Link: https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...ossmember+swap

**Chevy Fleetside** · 05-13-2023, 10:28 AM

Yes you use later model ball joints. You will need the later model outer tie rod end also. There is a special sleeve that CCP Sells for this. On the 65 side you swap the tie rods. Use the outer tie rod on the inner spot, the inner tie rod goes in the scrap bin. Here is a thread on how I did my truck. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=727826

SuperDuperDoughnuts · 05-13-2023, 12:41 PM

Ok, been reading through that thread.

Looks like the only way it could use original ball joints is if it was a CPP modular drop spindle correct?

Every other disc conversion appear to rely on later year parts (either ball joints and/or tie rod ends).

Will disc width clue me into anything? I'm just struggling to see how I can figure out what I've got, so I know what I need to buy.

**Getter-Done** · 05-13-2023, 05:18 PM

Do the spindles have any casting numbers or part numbers on them?

**cwcarpenter98** · 05-13-2023, 05:50 PM

The best way to know for sure is to measure the taper of the ball joint. The taper is different on the respective years. There's a chart somewhere floating around the site, I just don't remember which thread it is in.

Agv63 · 05-14-2023, 01:50 AM

I have this saved on my phone. It helped me to verify when i did my spindle swap.
Hope it helps.

Cheers.
Adriaan.

SuperDuperDoughnuts · 05-14-2023, 06:22 AM

Perfect, thanks.

SuperDuperDoughnuts · 05-14-2023, 09:49 AM

So I've got CP4S4, looks like I need ball joints from a squarebody.

What about tie rod ends?

**lolife99** · 05-14-2023, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuperDuperDoughnuts

So I've got CP4S4, looks like I need ball joints from a squarebody.

What about tie rod ends?

Outer tie rods need to match the spindles you are using.
So 73-87 outer tie rods

SuperDuperDoughnuts · 05-14-2023, 06:35 PM

Decided to go with adapter sleeves with the original outer tie rod end becoming the inners, and then 73-87 outers. I missed the entire post above basically instructing me to do that... oops.

Thanks for the help everyone.

05-13-2023, 07:24 AM	#1
SuperDuperDoughnuts Registered User Join Date: Mar 2022 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 46	Ball Joints and Spindles I plan on rebuilding my front suspension sometime soon on my '65. Some previous owner threw some disc spindles on and I'm somewhat worried they may have converted to later-year ball joints in the process. What can I measure so I can make sure I buy the correct ball joints that will work with whatever spindles are on the truck.

05-13-2023, 09:00 AM	#2
Getter-Done Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: TN. Posts: 8,441	Re: Ball Joints and Spindles Here is a thread in the link below that you may find some useful info in. It is 15 pages long and list part #'s and various options of what the previous owner may have done. Hope this helps. Link: https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...ossmember+swap __________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________ 84 Chevy K-20 63 Impala (my high school car) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...Crew Cab Build

05-13-2023, 10:28 AM	#3
Chevy Fleetside Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: San Francisco Posts: 4,782	Re: Ball Joints and Spindles Yes you use later model ball joints. You will need the later model outer tie rod end also. There is a special sleeve that CCP Sells for this. On the 65 side you swap the tie rods. Use the outer tie rod on the inner spot, the inner tie rod goes in the scrap bin. Here is a thread on how I did my truck. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=727826 __________________ "A man and his truck, what a beautiful thing" 65 Short Fleetside BBC 65 Long Fleetside 283 3 on the tree for now. my build thread http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=259536

05-13-2023, 12:41 PM	#4
SuperDuperDoughnuts Registered User Join Date: Mar 2022 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 46	Re: Ball Joints and Spindles Ok, been reading through that thread. Looks like the only way it could use original ball joints is if it was a CPP modular drop spindle correct? Every other disc conversion appear to rely on later year parts (either ball joints and/or tie rod ends). Will disc width clue me into anything? I'm just struggling to see how I can figure out what I've got, so I know what I need to buy.

05-13-2023, 05:18 PM	#5
Getter-Done Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: TN. Posts: 8,441	Re: Ball Joints and Spindles Do the spindles have any casting numbers or part numbers on them? __________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________ 84 Chevy K-20 63 Impala (my high school car) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...Crew Cab Build

05-13-2023, 05:50 PM	#6
cwcarpenter98 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Hickory Flat, GA Posts: 4,492	Re: Ball Joints and Spindles The best way to know for sure is to measure the taper of the ball joint. The taper is different on the respective years. There's a chart somewhere floating around the site, I just don't remember which thread it is in. __________________ Christian Carpenter 1963 C10 - Frankentruck 283, Muncie 3 speed with overdrive Overdrive wiring here 1963-ish truck bed trailer - Half-Wit 1981 C10 - Penny 305, th350 --> Soon to be 350, Saginaw 4 speed 1995 Dodge Dakota Sport "I'll put it simple: if you're going hard enough left, you'll find yourself turning right." - Doc Hudson

05-14-2023, 01:50 AM	#7
Agv63 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2023 Location: Johannesburg South africa. Posts: 78	Re: Ball Joints and Spindles I have this saved on my phone. It helped me to verify when i did my spindle swap. Hope it helps. Cheers. Adriaan. Attached Images

05-14-2023, 06:22 AM	#8
SuperDuperDoughnuts Registered User Join Date: Mar 2022 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 46	Re: Ball Joints and Spindles Perfect, thanks.

05-14-2023, 09:49 AM	#9
SuperDuperDoughnuts Registered User Join Date: Mar 2022 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 46	Re: Ball Joints and Spindles So I've got CP4S4, looks like I need ball joints from a squarebody. What about tie rod ends?

05-14-2023, 06:35 PM	#11
SuperDuperDoughnuts Registered User Join Date: Mar 2022 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 46	Re: Ball Joints and Spindles Decided to go with adapter sleeves with the original outer tie rod end becoming the inners, and then 73-87 outers. I missed the entire post above basically instructing me to do that... oops. Thanks for the help everyone.



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