Any tricks to getting the spindle back on the lower bj

[joeydirt]

So I did the front spring job on my c20 today drivers side went fine I cracked the top bj loose to change the spring and on on the passenger side I couldent get the brake line loose PO rounded the flare nut so I decided to break the lower bj loose on that side since the brake line would have limited the downward travel to much. The outer portion of the backing plate is hitting the lca and not allowing proper alignment. Seems either the spindle needs to be free of the top bj and go onto the lower first or the backing plate needs to be off. I cant get the top bj free but Ill try some more tomorrow and I really dont want to take apart the whole hub to get the backing plate off. Any ideas?

[Sharps40]

Take a good look at post 7 and 26. I rebuilt Ol John Lees front w/o removeing brake hoses or the backing plates or even the hubs!

It just takes a bit of finagelin and some jacking.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=556867

[joeydirt]

Originally Posted by Sharps40

Take a good look at post 7 and 26. I rebuilt Ol John Lees front w/o removeing brake hoses or the backing plates or even the hubs!

It just takes a bit of finagelin and some jacking.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=556867

thanks good write up, so it sounds like you did have to take the spindle loose from the upper bj

[61_FL_Apache]

I found it easier to install the lower first, then jack it up and then attach the upper.

[joeydirt]

Originally Posted by 61_FL_Apache

I found it easier to install the lower first, then jack it up and then attach the upper.

Hows do you get the upper seperate from the control arm when the lower is loose. I got the lower loose with a spreader tool I made with a 3/4 threaded rod coupler and a 3/4x3" bolt. I did some beating on the crown nut to no avail, can I use the same spreader between the bottom of the spindle and the upper bj without the lower hooked up or would that damage the spindle?

[Metalaroundstone]

I had the same problem of not being able to get the lower ball joint stud to slide up into the spindle after replacing the spring. I ended up having to take the hub off and loosening the backing plate just a little to provide the 1/16" needed for the stud to slip into the spindle. It took an extra 10 min, which was about one tenth of the time I spent trying to get it to work without loosening the backing plate.
R.

[joeydirt]

Originally Posted by Metalaroundstone

I had the same problem of not being able to get the lower ball joint stud to slide up into the spindle after replacing the spring. I ended up having to take the hub off and loosening the backing plate just a little to provide the 1/16" needed for the stud to slip into the spindle. It took an extra 10 min, which was about one tenth of the time I spent trying to get it to work without loosening the backing plate.
R.

I got it done, after some thought I figured if the spindle cant take the load of using the spreader tool to pop out the ball joint it probably doesnt have any business on a truck. I considered doing the backing plate as well since it was as you said within a 1/16 of alignment.


thanks everyone