CPP 2.5" drop spindle lower balljoint problem

[JVictor75]

Exactly what lower balljoint am I supposed to run with CPP spindle CP4S4L? I've now stripped 2 (count 'em TWO) castle nuts on the lower balljoints trying to get them to seat.

I'm no He-Man, and I'm not using anything air or electrical powered to try to get these things to seat properly, just plain old heaving on it with about a 18" Craftsman breaker bar.

Yes, I know I can call the techline. I tried calling, they're out for the weekend and today and tomorrow are the only times in the near future I'm going to be able to get this frame into a rolling chassis.

Any help would be appreciated.

[CC69Rat]

Any pictures? Did you replace your lower ball joints .. ? Not understanding completely.

[69SCSS]

Looks like that's for 73-87, they have different ball joints. Looks like the spindle you should have is the CP4S2 for 63-70 of you're using the earlier balljoints, or the CP4S3 for 71-72 ball joints. I couldn't find the CP4S4L, just the CP4S4, so I'm not 100% sure but you'd have to use the later balljoints from what I can tell.

[JVictor75]

Originally Posted by 69SCSS

Looks like that's for 73-87, they have different ball joints. Looks like the spindle you should have is the CP4S2 for 63-70 of you're using the earlier balljoints, or the CP4S3 for 71-72 ball joints. I couldn't find the CP4S4L, just the CP4S4, so I'm not 100% sure but you'd have to use the later balljoints from what I can tell.

Ah, ok. I suppose I should explain myself better.

I'm installing a complete F/R power disc brake conversion and grand slam kit (3.5 / 5 Front 3.5 using a combo of a 1" lowering spring and a 2.5" drop spindle) from CPP. All U/L ball joints, shocks, springs, control arm bushings, spindles, rotors, and calipers were provided with the kit, ostensibly as a 'set'.

When attempting to install the spindles (that say 'CP4S4L' on the back side), the lower balljoint seems to get stopped short by about 1/4" - 1/8" from seating correctly. When attempting to get everything seated correctly, the castle nut(s) get stripped out at about 1/8" - 1/16". I've done this twice now (just to verify, I guess - although besides verifying the issue it's also made me "unhappy and impolite". )

I'm using the stock stamped steel Upper and Lower Control Arms. The frame and all the stamped metal pieces (and rear diff housing) is a 67-72 SWB frame I picked up off of C/L here in the Phoenix metro area.

[69SCSS]

if it's a kit, I'd say someone accidently swapped in the wrong ball joint. Check the part # of the ball joint (probably right on the side of the box) with the part # of the top ball joint, and see if they're from the same year range. if not, then that's the issue. I'm guessing it's from a later one.

But hell it's saturday and i'm at work still, so what the hell do I know?

[CC69Rat]

I agree, it sounds like you have the wrong year stuff.

Do you know what year the frame is? 63-70 and 71-72 balljoints are different. (as stated above) Was it originally 5 or 6 lug?

[JVictor75]

Originally Posted by 69SCSS

Looks like that's for 73-87, they have different ball joints. Looks like the spindle you should have is the CP4S2 for 63-70 of you're using the earlier balljoints, or the CP4S3 for 71-72 ball joints. I couldn't find the CP4S4L, just the CP4S4, so I'm not 100% sure but you'd have to use the later balljoints from what I can tell.

Originally Posted by 69SCSS

if it's a kit, I'd say someone accidently swapped in the wrong ball joint. Check the part # of the ball joint (probably right on the side of the box) with the part # of the top ball joint, and see if they're from the same year range. if not, then that's the issue. I'm guessing it's from a later one.

But hell it's saturday and i'm at work still, so what the hell do I know?

LOL, well you nailed it (kinda) so I guess you being bored at work on a Saturday evening helped me out at least. So there's that. If this was Reddit I'd give you karma points, but since we're here all I can say is thanks.

Moog upper and lower balljoints for a 1973 C10 with a 454 (P/N K6136 for upper and K6117T for lower) work perfectly, albeit $200 later.

So it wasn't the balljoint that was the issue, it was the spindle itself. I ordered a set of drop spindles for a 67-72 c10 and got a set for a 73-87......

Oh well. With Moog balljoints in it, the truck probably won't need another set until I'm buried. Lord knows, the '68 had the originals in it when I tore the frame down two months ago and they were still good.

[69SCSS]

Yep. it had to be one or the other! Glad you found it. I'll have to make sure and double check my spindles when I get them to make sure I don't have the same issue, I'm sticking with the 63-70 drop spindles.

From what I remember the 73-87 spindles bring the track width out farther than the 71-72's. I might be wrong about that though.

Glad I could help either way!

[JVictor75]

Originally Posted by 69SCSS

Yep. it had to be one or the other! Glad you found it. I'll have to make sure and double check my spindles when I get them to make sure I don't have the same issue, I'm sticking with the 63-70 drop spindles.

From what I remember the 73-87 spindles bring the track width out farther than the 71-72's. I might be wrong about that though.

Glad I could help either way!

Thanks again!

Good to know about the track width, I will probably go with 15x8 steel rallies (if I can find any) for up front. 15x10s in the back.

Going to the alignment shop is going to be interesting anyway, lol. It's already getting interesting going to the parts store. (No Limit bolt in rack, 3.5" x 5" static drop, 73-87 balljoints and spindles.)

[69SCSS]

Just a thought, I think the outer tie rods and different from early to later. Your Tierods might not fit that spindle if it's for 63-70 spindles.

[JVictor75]

Originally Posted by 69SCSS

Just a thought, I think the outer tie rods and different from early to later. Your Tierods might not fit that spindle if it's for 63-70 spindles.

Bolt in No-Limit power rack and pinion. I have to drill out the spindles anyway.

Thanks though!

[69SCSS]

Oh right their kit comes with the Heim joint ends, right? Was looking at that myself but I already have all the new parts for the whole front end.

[swanga c10]

Originally Posted by JVictor75

LOL, well you nailed it (kinda) so I guess you being bored at work on a Saturday evening helped me out at least. So there's that. If this was Reddit I'd give you karma points, but since we're here all I can say is thanks.

Moog upper and lower balljoints for a 1973 C10 with a 454 (P/N K6136 for upper and K6117T for lower) work perfectly, albeit $200 later.

So it wasn't the balljoint that was the issue, it was the spindle itself. I ordered a set of drop spindles for a 67-72 c10 and got a set for a 73-87......

Oh well. With Moog balljoints in it, the truck probably won't need another set until I'm buried. Lord knows, the '68 had the originals in it when I tore the frame down two months ago and they were still good.

Did these ball joint end up fixing the problem?

i am having the same problem with my 1970 C10, i have the same spindle but it looks like i already have the right ball joints so im unsure what to do?

[JVictor75]

Did you ever get your question answered?

If not - What is the part number on the back of your spindle? If you have the CP4S4 ('L'eft and 'R'ight) you have the right spindle. Depending on how it's fitting incorrectly will tell us more.

If it seats "short" with those spindles (the way I described the fitment of mine in the beginning of the thread) you probably have 67-70 lower balljoints in a 72 and later spindle.

If it fits "sloppy" with those spindles (I.E. fits way to easily, with "slop" around the balljoint stem inside the spindle) I would hazard a guess and say that the packaging on your balljoint is wrong and that you ended up with later model year lowers.

The only way to verify what you have without relying on the packaging from CPP is to measure and compare with Moog balljoints at the auto parts store.

Good luck with your build!

[swanga c10]

They sent 67-70 lower ball joints, but to not waste anytime I just ordered the Moog ball joints using the part number you provided and it worked out fine.
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