dropped spindle

1971_CorVette · 07-02-2003, 04:34 PM

I have a 71, and i am currently doing the rear suspension. and the way that i set it up, the rear is lowered more then the front, It kinda looks silly. So instead of cutting the springs and messing screwing up the cars handling i want to put a set of dropped spindles on it. I havent looked in depth but does any one know where i can get a set?? does anyone have them? some help is needed i want to get this car on the road this summer and go auto crossing. thanks guys
MArc

LAvetteman · 07-02-2003, 04:38 PM

I just want to say Welcome, I have no experience in your quest.

Please register your 71 at: http://www.71corvette.com

Tom454 · 07-02-2003, 05:03 PM

I've been playing with Corvettes for over 30 years and I've never seen an ad in any of the aftermarket supply catalogs for "dropped spindles". This doesn't mean that they do not exist, I've just never seen them advertised.

redvetracr · 07-02-2003, 05:15 PM

CUT THE SPRING!! it will make your "life" easier. ...redvetracr

Schmucker · 07-02-2003, 05:17 PM

Just buy a set of 550lb springs and be done with it then.

Van Steel · 07-02-2003, 07:44 PM

How about a transverse front spring up front? You can lower your car and have it ride better all at the same time.

Check it out on my web site under suspension kits. :thumbs:

Twin_Turbo · 07-02-2003, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Just buy a set of 550lb springs and be done with it then.

If you cut a spring the spring rate increases.

Corey_68 · 07-02-2003, 08:42 PM

My dad had a fair number of street rods and he often sets up the front w/ dropped spindles. But I do have to say I have NEVER seen anyone run them on a Vette. The #550 sping WILL drop the front end to the height you desire. :yesnod:
:cheers:

1971_CorVette · 07-03-2003, 03:28 AM

hey well i guess dropped spindels are out! a 550 it will be i guess wont it? i dont know about the leaf spriing it is a bie much for a college student with no cash and a need for speed. if you have any info about spindles from a nother car or if antone makes them for a chefelle that i can use, let me know
but thanks all
Marc

The Dude · 07-03-2003, 03:49 AM

There may be hope for dropped spindles.

The Hollander book shows that, for '69-'82 Corvettes, there's a direct front spindle/knuckle interchange with:

Chevy Pass. '68 disk brake, manual
Chevy Pass. '69-'70 disk brake

So, I guess if you could find a vendor that has dropped spindles for, say, a '69 Caprice (?) you might have yourself a fit.

LMK how this works because I'll be right behind you with AMEX in hand.

Tom454 · 07-03-2003, 09:24 AM

Dude...

If it's "a direct front spindle/knuckle interchange"

Doesn't that mean that the dimensions will be the same?

I.E. not a "dropped" spindle?

Just wondering if I'm on the same page here.

Tom

1971_CorVette · 07-03-2003, 10:23 AM

i cna see what he is saying, get a list of the direct interchange, and then look for who makes dropped spindles for those cars. they will then be a dropped spindle for a corvette. i think therre might be hope afterall

Tom454 · 07-03-2003, 10:26 AM

Thanks... the Wendys Chili I ate yesterday must have given me brain farts.
:jester

The Dude · 07-03-2003, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Dude...

If it's "a direct front spindle/knuckle interchange"

Doesn't that mean that the dimensions will be the same?

I.E. not a "dropped" spindle?

Just wondering if I'm on the same page here.

Tom

LOL.
'71's got it. My theory is that, if you found a direct swap with, say a '69 Impala or whatever, all you'd have to do is find a vendor that makes dropped spindles for the '69 Impala. Then, since the stock units are a direct swap across the platforms, the dropped units should be a direct swap, too.
But I can not confirm this--it's just a possibility.

joe73vette · 07-03-2003, 01:42 PM

Don;'t you think that if someone made a dropped spindle for a 69 impalla they would know it also fits vettes and advertize it? Afterall the market for 68-70 big car dropped spindles has to be what/ six people? Joe

The Dude · 07-03-2003, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Don;'t you think that if someone made a dropped spindle for a 69 impalla they would know it also fits vettes and advertize it? Afterall the market for 68-70 big car dropped spindles has to be what/ six people? Joe

I know I would.
But maybe manufacturers and marketers don't or won't look at all the interchange possibilities when they put out a product. Hell, I don't even know whether anyone makes dropped spindles for the big passenger cars. But, since some of the magazines are beating everybody over the head about how popular so-called "Pro Touring" cars are, you'd think that somebody out there is sharp enough to manufacture them for the big cars. And, if the Hollander is accurate we might be good to go.

[EDIT]
OK, it's a slow day at work.
I just got off the phone with Performance Suspension in Arizona (800) 572-3768. The first thing he said was that he just doesn't get calls for dropped spindles for Corvettes.

I told the guy there my story about the Hollander information and his reaction was priceless: "No s*it?!"

So we talked a little bit and his main question was which passenger car? He told me that he THINKS spindles for a '68-'70 Chevelle MIGHT have a chance of working. Of course, there's no guarantee--you pay your $250 for a pair and take your chances. He suggested taking our spindles to a wrecking yard and looking for a match before ordering anything.

So there you have it. I haven't spent an afternoon in a wrecking yard for quite a while. If anybody has an old Corvette spindle to send me I might be persuaded to go exploring. (I don't want to take my car apart any further.)

[Modified by The Dude, 12:08 PM 7/3/2003]

norvalwilhelm · 07-03-2003, 04:04 PM

Make your own. I intend to this winter. All the stock car guys are making their's. Last night I read an article on , and this spelling is not even close, Steinslov's camaro, anyway it is a high tech camaro built by I think one of the guys who owns Summit racing and he uses cut a welded spindles.
I have seen some well done and you can not tell and it is totally weldable cast steel.

1971_CorVette · 07-04-2003, 12:46 AM

yo dude you are the man here!! doing all of this research and stuff i really good! you have developed a great theory! I think i know someone with a 70 chevelle and im gonna take me car over there as soon as seh is road worthy and compare. there is a good possibility that they are dropped spindles and he could still hae his old ones which would be perfect! so great theory and thank you again. I love these forums you guys are a great help!
Marc

The Dude · 07-04-2003, 02:34 AM

Quote:

yo dude you are the man here!! doing all of this research and stuff i really good! you have developed a great theory! I think i know someone with a 70 chevelle and im gonna take me car over there as soon as seh is road worthy and compare. there is a good possibility that they are dropped spindles and he could still hae his old ones which would be perfect! so great theory and thank you again. I love these forums you guys are a great help!
Marc

Well, don't just run off in the heat of the day. Let us know if your eyeball comparison gets us any closer.