I bought a Malibu backhalf car and Im in the process of redoing the front end, it has drop spindles on it. I was wondering if trick springs would work good with the drop spindles? This is my first G-Body and I knew that some of you would give some advice.Ive always had Novas and Camaros so Im trying to learn about the G-body. Your advice is greatly appreciated. Steve
Advice would be appreciated
- Thread starter bull
- Start date
From what i understand, dropped spindles are a no-no on a drag car.
I would think it would effect lower arm alginment , wheel travel on the way down.
I just mess with stock type stuff, but was told not to use spindles on it either.
I would think it would effect lower arm alginment , wheel travel on the way down.
I just mess with stock type stuff, but was told not to use spindles on it either.
Drop spindles do not affect control arm inclinations, but they do reduce the amount of available bump travel before tires meet fenders/fenderwells (think: hard braking at the end of your run - or anywhere for that matter). Soft "Trick Springs" will only make that more likely. Front shocks that are stiff in 'bump' (compression) can band-aid this issue, but only so far.
Norm
Norm
Pull your springs,put the spindles,rotors and wheels on it,drop it down on the bump stops and see if anything will rub anywere,check the clearance between the ground and your crossmember and figure in what if you have a flat tire,will the crossmember hit the ground? If it will you'll be to low and in that case will have no steering control at all,
the main thing is to be safe and if you do get a flat or two flats for that matter you don't want the crossmember on the ground no matter what,
I've also been told that drop spindles will affect bump steer but I don't understand that theory as they're supposed to have the same geometry it's just that the axle is moved higher on the spindle,Maybe Norm can enlighten us on that subject?
the main thing is to be safe and if you do get a flat or two flats for that matter you don't want the crossmember on the ground no matter what,
I've also been told that drop spindles will affect bump steer but I don't understand that theory as they're supposed to have the same geometry it's just that the axle is moved higher on the spindle,Maybe Norm can enlighten us on that subject?
Killerdave8813 said:
I am with you on this I don't see how drop spindles cause any difference. If its a race car take the inner fenderwells out and there no tire problems.
If the steering arm (outer tierod pivot point, actually) is in the same place (in 3-D) relative to the ball joints as on the OE knuckle, I don't think there's any toe change involved. That's the pure geometry model. It's also something of an "if".
But since the forces coming in through the tires and the spindle stub itself are now coming in in a different place I'd expect a different amount of steering kickback. Perhaps these effects are being confused? I've read some stuff about "force-based roll centers" that mentions tierod loading.
On edit: for a clearance check with the car on the bumpstops I'd also want to know how much steering I had available before anything started scraping a tire. I also know that drop spindles will limit how much backspacing you can run before you get wheel to steering arm or tie rod interference.
Norm
But since the forces coming in through the tires and the spindle stub itself are now coming in in a different place I'd expect a different amount of steering kickback. Perhaps these effects are being confused? I've read some stuff about "force-based roll centers" that mentions tierod loading.
On edit: for a clearance check with the car on the bumpstops I'd also want to know how much steering I had available before anything started scraping a tire. I also know that drop spindles will limit how much backspacing you can run before you get wheel to steering arm or tie rod interference.
Norm
guys, keep in mind that if you lowwer the front via spindles and leave the rear at stock height you are changing the caster angle! also, if you want to utilize the trick springs you can put some soft urethane bump stops to cushion the travel down, BUT be careful to still have SAFE amount of clearance when they are completely compressed. Momentum can cause over travel. BE SAFE! Flat tires,dips in the road, speed bumps all these can ruin your stuff or worse yet hurt YOU. Again, use caution. John
Similar threads
