steering arm height/tie-rod/tall spindles/heim joint

[doorslammer71]

I've got a '72 chevelle with tall spindles & Hotchkiss upper arms. I KNOW it is not the optimum set up, I am just hoping for an improvement over bone stock. Last driven that way ten years ago. I understand the longer steering arms slow the steering speed and do not turn as sharp. I am using a '97 Jeep steering box to quicken the ratio and it has more angle between the internal stops. Not perfect but still an improvement. I understand that bump steer is a problem with this set up because the steering arm is lower that stock by ??? amount. Sooooo.... my question is.....has anyone used a high strength heim end and put it on top of the arm (could be shimmed up or down to an extent)? I would use a 3/4 shank rod end with a 5/8 ball with "seals-it" washers and teflon lined. We use these rod ends in the four links of drag cars with 1000+ ft/lbs of torque, I would think they've got to be stronger than the stock tie rod end. Any input would be appreciated. thanks

[sinned]

I run rod ends at the OTR locations. It doesn't help with bump steer as the height is only half the problem, the longer steering arm also contributes as much to the bump steer issue.

[Marcus SC&C]

The B body steering arm is about 5/8" lower than stock...which is about 5/8" too low to begin with. These numbers will vary with static caster and a bit car to car but they`re pretty close. The problem is that the pickup point of the outter tie rod end really needs to go right in the middle of the steering arm itself! There are a couple things you can do to minimize it but it`s still going to be pretty bad. If you run heims put em as close to the bottom of the arm as possible and still have full travel. Next dial in about +6* caster,that`ll raise the steering arms a little bit. That may be you almost back to stock,which isn`t great but at least you`re used to it. You can also run our tall lower ball joint,combined with the other two mods the bumpsteer won`t be too bad but the taller ball joints *combined* with the tall spindles is too much of a good thing for the roll center,camber curves and FVSA length. Everyday driving would be better but hardcore cornering would suffer some and depending on ride height and other variables jacking could become an issue. Even then the steering ackerman will still be screwed up by the longer steering arms. It ends up being an awful lot of work,time and money just to hang onto a cheap set of junkyard spindles that don`t fit properly... Mark SC&C

[doorslammer71]

thanks for the info. I was thinking about putting the heim on top of the steering arm? I think I will look into the afx tall spindle, i've got all the C5 brakes already and a set of Hotchkiss upper arms & ball-joints.

[protour_chevelle]

thanks for the info. I was thinking about putting the heim on top of the steering arm? I think I will look into the afx tall spindle, i've got all the C5 brakes already and a set of Hotchkiss upper arms & ball-joints.

That is going to be difficult seeing how the taper goes from wide at bottom to narrow at top. Unless you drill it out... I don't know if I would do that myself or not. Definately would have to ask someone that has done it.

-Matt

[sinned]

My spindles are drilled to a straight 5/8" and use 5/8X14 grade 8 bolts for retention.

[protour_chevelle]

My spindles are drilled to a straight 5/8" and use 5/8X14 grade 8 bolts for retention.

Ohh, thats how you did it. Thanks Dennis!

-Matt