Hotchkis control arms, hows yor ball joint?

[Shawn01754]

I did some meddling with my springs and found hotchkis 1" drop in the front was really comfortable. I ordered 2" hotchkis drop spring for the rear, looking for an even lower stance. When i replace my steering knuckles, with the CPP C-5 assembly, should i use a tall upper ball joint? I was wondering how they work with the hotchkis control arms. The .9" of drop would be perfect. Or should i just chop the spring

[GEARBOXGARAGE]

I would check the steering arm location on the CPP knuckle. Does it mimic the factory location or are there any improvements for bump steer? Usually adding a .5 taller ball joint on the bottom will help with bump steer on the factory design. Also, is the CPP knuckle taller than factory or same height? If they are already taller, you may not need a taller ball joint for the camber gain. I would ask these questions to CPP when you order them.

[kevmurray]

What car?

The .9" ball joint goes on the top of the spindle and does nothing to ride height. Also, the CPP C5 spindle is already taller than factory so if you do want to increase the spindle height be careful you don't push the upper control arm into the wheel rim. As mentioned above, the .5" lower ball joint lowers the car and helps correct bump steer on A-bodies.

[Shawn01754]

What car?

The .9" ball joint goes on the top of the spindle and does nothing to ride height. Also, the CPP C5 spindle is already taller than factory so if you do want to increase the spindle height be careful you don't push the upper control arm into the wheel rim. As mentioned above, the .5" lower ball joint lowers the car and helps correct bump steer on A-bodies.

Its a 1969 gto with hotchkis upper and lower a arms. With 1" hotchkis drop spring in the front.2"drop in the rear. The CPP C-5 spindle is somewhat common, i belive close to stock height.
I heard it both ways- the tall upper ball joint will drop the car and then i heard it won't? A little confusing.
Heres what CPP says:
Affordable & attractive cast spindle.

Stock height.

Raised upper ball joint mount tall spindle to yield a better camber change during suspension movement (CP30013).

Utilize factory or CPP replacement steering arms (CP30013).

Work with factory control arms, CPP Totally Tubular™ and other after market arms.

The spindle alone works with factory 1997-2004 C5 corvette hub bearing pack, rotors and calipers.

Works with Baer, Wilwood and other aftermarket brakes designed to fit C5 spindles.

C5 brake kits come with 13” rotors and require 17” or larger www.classicperform.com/C5-Spindles/C5-Spindles.htm Thanks

[kevmurray]

Its a 1969 gto with hotchkis upper and lower a arms. With 1" hotchkis drop spring in the front.2"drop in the rear. The CPP C-5 spindle is somewhat common, i belive close to stock height.
I heard it both ways- the tall upper ball joint will drop the car and then i heard it won't? A little confusing.
Heres what CPP says:
Affordable & attractive cast spindle.

Stock height. (SPINDLE PIN)

Raised upper ball joint mount tall spindle to yield a better camber change during suspension movement (CP30013). (Taller spindle reference)

Utilize factory or CPP replacement steering arms (CP30013).(No bump steer fix.)

Work with factory control arms, CPP Totally Tubular™ and other after market arms.

The spindle alone works with factory 1997-2004 C5 corvette hub bearing pack, rotors and calipers.

Works with Baer, Wilwood and other aftermarket brakes designed to fit C5 spindles.

C5 brake kits come with 13” rotors and require 17” or larger www.classicperform.com/C5-Spindles/C5-Spindles.htm Thanks

Those CPP spindles are taller than stock, by seven eighths of an inch I believe. When they say "stock height" they are referring to the spindle pin. This is where the hub rides and locates the wheel relative to the lower control arm. The chassis sits on the lower control arm so only the lower ball joint establishes the distance between the lower control arm and the spindle pin. The upper ball joint does nothing to ride height. There are longer ball joints available for both the upper and lower control arms. The longest I am aware of for the upper control arm is .9 inches and the longest for the lower control arm is .5 inches. Adding a longer lower ball joint helps improve the bump steer in the A-bodies because the steering arm is too low from the factory. Increasing the distance between the steering arm and the lower control arm has the effect of raising the steering arm.

[Shawn01754]

I spoke with hotchkis and they recommded use stock height ball joints. They didnt have may good things to say about extending the balljoints and referenced the unessassry additional leverage against the knuckle and adding a "bind factor" Apparently theres a bumstear kit avalible that coordinates with the tie rods that addresses bump steer more efficiently . Im far from knowlageage about the subject and will more than likley be corrected. My guess is you ask 10 differnt people and youll get 10 differnt awnsers. Wheres Ron Sutton when you need him? Lol