Ride Tech Tall Spindles VS AFX Tall Spindles?

[InMotionJosh]

Anyone have any input on the two different spindles? I am planning a Speedtech Complete Front Clip for my 69 Camaro Build but the spindles are not included. The Tall Spinldes are like $1100 bucks where the Ride Tech Tall Spinldes are about $350. I know that the AFX comes with C5 hubs and the Ride Tech doesnt but the ride tech allows for brake kits that include their own hubs and the price is not enough to offset the difference.

I guess im just looking for some clarification on which you would choose and why.

[killer69]

What size wheels / tires are you wanting to use? that will decide it for all of us

[InMotionJosh]

I will be using a 19" Front Most likely. Probably 19x9

[marolf101x]

I personally do not like the Vette bearing assembly. Don't get me wrong, the "heavy duty" versions are great. But it's $350 per bearing compared to $20. So long as you can set them up properly there's no need for the Vette parts.

The Vette bearing assembly was designed for the production line. The OE's needed a bearing package they can bolt on. . .no adjustment required.
So they came up with this unit. Preset from the manufacturer, and have the ABS parts to boot.

[Black93GT]

I have ridetech but think I should have done speedtech. Dont get me wrong, its great stuff and i'm excited to get this thing back on the ground. But if you figure I bought the spindles... then got the tru-turn. I'm only going to use 4th gen camaro brakes (with the possiblity of CTSV brembo's if I go to a larger wheel size). But now I'm having to buy new hubs or machine the original '67 hubs to clear the rotors.

I don't intend to use an exotic braking system so realistically the vette brakes would be just great for me. Overall this way has become more expensive and I'm still having to make decision on the hubs.

[Proforged]

I don't intend to use an exotic braking system so realistically the vette brakes would be just great for me. Overall this way has become more expensive and I'm still having to make decision on the hubs.

You could always run the Kore3 hubs and brackets and put the C5/C6 brakes on the Ridetech spindles you have:

http://www.kore3.com/proddetail.php?prod=10075
http://www.kore3.com/proddetail.php?prod=10083-01

[killer69]

I personally do not like the Vette bearing assembly. Don't get me wrong, the "heavy duty" versions are great. But it's $350 per bearing compared to $20. So long as you can set them up properly there's no need for the Vette parts.

The Vette bearing assembly was designed for the production line. The OE's needed a bearing package they can bolt on. . .no adjustment required.
So they came up with this unit. Preset from the manufacturer, and have the ABS parts to boot.

ALL Valid points, but to date, We have not had anyone call to say they have worn out the bearing packs, I have not read on any forum of anyone replacing the hubs,
I have talked to a couple race driver training companies that use corvettes and they say they don't replace the hubs( except for the rears on the Z06 at Spring Mountain) and I have heard through the grapevine that DSE has not had any failures on their Test Cars either??? can not confirm this.

[Rhino]

Playing devils advocate for a moment; I've heard stock c5's driven by Grandpa's on Sunday that end up with bad bearings within 30k miles. My neighbour is on his 3rd set on his C5. He's owned it 7 years and has 70-80k on it. I swore up and down that couldn't be the issue but process of elimination confirmed it. It seems to start with a whirring that sounds very similar to loud tire noise. I'm sure that this is the other end of the spectrum, however a quick search for c5 wheel bearing failure comes up with much more than zero results.

All this being said, I'm using the c5 units myself and feel they'll be fine as long as you pay attention to general maintenance. Std replacements are nowhere near $300 locally. They can be found for < $100 in many cases. Autozone has their duralast brand that are rebranded timken units for around $90. The actual timken brand run $140.

The SKF/ZR1 units are great, but Brit is right, they are pricy. Given the small number of miles I'll be getting between inspections I'm more than happy to possibly replace them a little more frequently for around 1/3 of the cost.

[killer69]

I have the standard hubs we supply with the AFX spindle on my Nova all be it only has just over 5000 miles on it they are 95% on the track. with both race slicks and street tires, most have seen how Jay drives MY car ( can't wait to see how he drives his own) there is no sign of run out to date and no strange noises. i will keep you posted if that changes.