Register or Log In To remove these advertisements. |
|
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
08-15-2010, 01:27 PM | #1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Orlando, Fl
Posts: 28
|
Drop Spindle Fitment Issue
Some background info first...
I have a '65 short fleet that someone up the chain of ownership had changed over to disc brakes. I have no clue what he did, other than it has 1 inch rotors. I believe the donor truck might be mid '80's based on the tranny, tilt column and bench seat...but who knows. I'm mid install of DJM 3" drop spindles and ran into an interference problem. Both ball joints are new and sure looked identical to the ones I replaced. The bottom is fine, but after tightening the top nut there is a lip on the DJM spindle that hits the upper control arm before even squaring up. In other words.. it don't turn to the left. See.. It also looks to hit before reaching full travel to the right. The DJMs also have a prominent lip that you can see here. The spindles are the same height, same UBJ hole diameter, but the DJMs are obviously much thicker castings. So my question(s) before I start grinding on these things... Has anybody else run into this? Is there possibly another UBJ with a different taper I should be using? Any guesses? Been a loooooong time since I did any of this kinda thing, so there is the distinct possibility of severe brain fade on my part. |
08-16-2010, 12:24 AM | #2 |
60-66 Nut
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
Posts: 23,252
|
Re: Drop Spindle Fitment Issue
I don't know anything about DJM spindles, but unless you have them upside down, they appear to be the wrong spindles. If they were upside down they would no longer be drop spindles, but lift spindles. Don't quite know what to say other than something's definitely not right. I'm not aware of any different upper balljoints available either.
__________________
Power Steering Box Adapter Plates For Sale HERE Power Brake Booster Adapter Brackets For Sale '63-'66 HERE and '67-'72 HERE and '60-'62 HERE and "60-'62 with clutch HERE Rear Disc Brake Brackets For Sale. Impala SS calipers HERE Camaro Calipers HERE D52 Calipers HERE 6 Lug HERE Hydroboost Mounting Plates HERE |
08-16-2010, 05:05 AM | #3 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Orlando, Fl
Posts: 28
|
Re: Drop Spindle Fitment Issue
I'm operating under the assumption that everything was the same through '87...joints, control arms. Bought these to keep from having to replace the brakes. The "in place" pictures were taken with the weight on the suspension (jacked up under the LCA). The UBJ nut is finger tight, enough to draw the UBJ taper down to the top of the spindle. Removing the nut allows the UBJ boot to support the UCA and there is clearance to fully rotate.
Quote:
Last edited by hoog; 08-16-2010 at 06:45 AM. |
|
08-16-2010, 07:24 AM | #4 |
UCA63
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Lloydminster AB Can.
Posts: 1,637
|
Re: Drop Spindle Fitment Issue
Hoog
I am using mid '70s half ton truck spindles and they dont look like that. my upper ball joint doesn't look like that either,mine are almost flat across the top. I know photos can play tricks on the eyes,but it looks to me that those two will require different grease seals. I'd be inclined to make sure of what you've got,your existing setup and your drop spindles(i don't think it would be the first time they shipped the wrong ones,or a customer ordered the wrong ones). Also the C-10 that's cast into your drop spindle is quite a broad term,all it tells me is that it's for 1/2 ton gm truck,pretty vague to say the least. T
__________________
member#7816 "63 sb ss bbw 350\350 12 bolt rear Pwr Fr Disc PS tilt '61 GMC in progress '63 GMC to use for parts '90 Chevy Ext cab sbfs 5.7l (current d d) |
08-16-2010, 09:14 AM | #5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Orlando, Fl
Posts: 28
|
Re: Drop Spindle Fitment Issue
I bought two UBJs...the one that you see and the other is like you describe. Same stud size, different base. :shrug:
I don't have them in front of me right now, but I don't remember seeing the part # on the spindle. The box has the right number; pretty sure DJM only sells two light duty p/n's...2 in and 3 in drop. I didn't try to slide the rotor on but the shafts look the same size (that was next after I checked the clearance...before torquing). I would figure the 1 1/4 rotor spindles are larger. Last edited by hoog; 08-16-2010 at 09:19 AM. |
08-16-2010, 11:49 AM | #6 |
Registered Loser
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Elyria, OH
Posts: 1,523
|
Re: Drop Spindle Fitment Issue
What year are the spindles and ball joints for?
__________________
((..)) ((0)) '63 GMC lwb, 383, th350, lays frame, genuine patina. The Build Thread - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=374267 '88 Astro cargo bagged, shaved, phantom grille. *SOLD* '50 Chevy 2 door sedan awaiting attention. 2014 Silverado Ext cab, 5.3, daily driver. |
08-16-2010, 12:09 PM | #7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Arlington,Tx
Posts: 103
|
Re: Drop Spindle Fitment Issue
I had the sam problrm whith the wheel of thr ground,but when i set it down the problem was solved
|
08-16-2010, 01:10 PM | #8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Orlando, Fl
Posts: 28
|
Re: Drop Spindle Fitment Issue
Ball joints are apparently all the same through '87. The spindles are for 1" rotors which from what I understand is only '73 - '87(?). Looks like the only pieces the PO moved to this truck were the stock spindles and of course, the brakes. Stock spindles work....DJM don't. So the next question is...will the '73 - '87 UCA bolt into the '65 so I don't have to change over to 1.25" brakes.
All of the spindles specific to '65 conversions (that I found) require the bigger brakes. The current brakes work fine and since I don't haul anything with this truck, I'm trying not to incur the added cost. Looking like I'm going to be SOL on that idea. The jack is under the LCA, so the suspension should be sitting the same as if the wheel was on the ground. |
08-16-2010, 03:13 PM | #9 | |
I'm just glad to be here!
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Longview, TX
Posts: 4,788
|
Re: Drop Spindle Fitment Issue
Quote:
IMO, grinding on the lip of the uca should not hurt anything as long as you only take off just enought to clear...or call DJM and ask about grinding on the spots of the spindle that hit...
__________________
Karl 1965 Chevy Stepside(Grandpa's Old Blue) and (July 2015 Shop Build!)(2020, the Saga Continues) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=372424 The LST Challenge: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post7812257 Korbin's 1st Square: "Sunburn" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=418618 1985 GMC Sierra: "White Trash", Korbin's 2nd now... http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=632305 Henry - 1984 Chevrolet, Owen's 1st Square |
|
08-16-2010, 04:10 PM | #10 |
Registered Loser
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Elyria, OH
Posts: 1,523
|
Re: Drop Spindle Fitment Issue
I didn't think balljoints were the same through the years. I thought they were different in 73-87 trucks. When I ordered my front air ride set up I had to tell them which year of truck I was going to use spindles from so they could put the appropriate balljoints in the tubular A-arms.
__________________
((..)) ((0)) '63 GMC lwb, 383, th350, lays frame, genuine patina. The Build Thread - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=374267 '88 Astro cargo bagged, shaved, phantom grille. *SOLD* '50 Chevy 2 door sedan awaiting attention. 2014 Silverado Ext cab, 5.3, daily driver. |
08-16-2010, 04:58 PM | #11 | ||
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Orlando, Fl
Posts: 28
|
Re: Drop Spindle Fitment Issue
Quote:
Quote:
The tech responded from DJM, says my UCAs should work without mods, with the proper UBJ. He says there are three different joints so I stand corrected. Thanks for the input everybody. Looks like I need to look in the parts store's catalog myself... |
||
08-16-2010, 08:24 PM | #12 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DALLAS,TX
Posts: 22,068
|
Re: Drop Spindle Fitment Issue
Quote:
The upper control arm in his pic looks like one from a post-73 because it has rubber bushings in a shell. I would grind the extra material off the spindle before grinding the a-arm if that's an option.
__________________
67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol. |
|
08-16-2010, 08:44 PM | #13 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: South West Pennsylvania
Posts: 164
|
Re: Drop Spindle Fitment Issue
You may want to consider a tubular upper control arm. It will give you additional clearance without grinding. Air Ride makes a really nice upper contol arm for your truck. They aren't cheap but the quality is there!! Check it out:
http://www.ridetech.com/shop/suspens...ont-upper.html
__________________
RED RUMBLE 1963 C10 Chevy Truck Owned since 1984 |
08-16-2010, 09:13 PM | #14 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DALLAS,TX
Posts: 22,068
|
Re: Drop Spindle Fitment Issue
Quote:
__________________
67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol. Last edited by SCOTI; 08-16-2010 at 09:13 PM. |
|
08-17-2010, 11:42 AM | #15 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: San Antonio TX
Posts: 52
|
Re: Drop Spindle Fitment Issue
I just finished a swap just like this and the way I made it work was installing new upper and lower ball joints into the original control arms I bought the BJ's for an 85 c10 they go into the control arms exactly as the originals but have a different size stud the only problem I ran into was wheel clearance with the right spindle so I ended up doing a very small amount of grinding
|
08-17-2010, 12:10 PM | #16 | ||
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Orlando, Fl
Posts: 28
|
Re: Drop Spindle Fitment Issue
Quote:
Quote:
Anyway it is much closer than before. |
||
Bookmarks |
|
|