Dropped spindle clearance issues - steering rod ends

[young51]

Guys,
I have a 69' Camaro front clip in a 51' Mercury with DSE lower arms, DSE 2" drop springs and 2" dropped "tall" spindles with an 18x7 Coys wheel. Here is my issue, because the spindle is dropped, the steering rod end is now 2" lower than it normally would be. This puts the rod end right at the edge of the wheel, roughly 1/4 from the rim on a 4.25 backspace. The car is not a Camaro and i have fender rubbing issues on the outer fender. I have a ton of room to go to a deeper backspace framewise, but because of the dropped spindle that rod end is right on the edge of the wheel, instead of "within" the diameter of the rim where it would normally be. Even a 20" wheel has clearance issues. Rather than the obvious, "go back to stock height spindles", is there any way to get around this? Flipping the rod ends doesn't get enough clearance either. Anyone have this issue with dropped spindles before?

thanks!

[dontlifttoshift]

Everyone has had that issue with dropped spindles.

How bad is the wheel rub? Can you dial in some negative camber?

You can purchase or fabricate narrower control arms.

[77thor]

Yeah, it's a well known issue with drop spindles.

[dhutton]

Most drop spindles work with 18” wheels. What spindles do you have? What steering arms?

Don

[ford396]

Cut the arm off and weld it where you want it or bend it to clear. Then go in and set bump if desired.

[Rod]

pictures please

[Rod]

Cut the arm off and weld it where you want it or bend it to clear. Then go in and set bump if desired.

this^^^^^^

this guy jigged up his set

[409novaman]

Install new 1/2" x 3" grade 8 bolts in the bottom position. Then add three washers between the steering arm and spindle to give an extra 1/4" of clearance. (also add 1/2" x 2" bolts to the upper position on the spindle. This is basically overkill as it only holds the dust shield on to the spindle.)

[young51]

409Novaman, that looks exactly like the situation I have. With an 18" the end is parallel with the edge of the rim & tire, even a 20" doesn't fully clear. The washer idea looks great, any issues you see using a fabricated spacer? The car is not raced or autocrossed. Just have to use shorter rod ends or adjust them in, right?

[409novaman]

You'll need to correct for additional bump steer for this minor change/modification.
I understand that a set of Proforged tall outer tie rod ends correct the bump steer issue.
I have the proforged tall outer tie rod ends and tall lower ball joint in my Nova and the car handles great.
My guess for your situation, just the tie rod ends.
Opinions may vary, it's MHO...
EDIT: The car in the picture has 17" wheels.

[David Pozzi]

this^^^^^^

this guy jigged up his set

This arm will break off. The parts must be chamfered to allow enough weld area & penetration.

[David Pozzi]

[young51]

David,
thanks for the reply. Believe it or not my clip came from you out of one of Mary's cars. My frame was built by Chad Gravelle in Salinas. It rides, steers and handles like no other 50's car I've been in. I'm thoroughly happy with it other than the fender rub which I blame mostly on myself, buying wheels before the project started and not researching how far my disc brake kit would push the wheels out (3/4"!). Any and all suggestions you have would be greatly appreciated, I'd hate to re-engineer my complete front end.

[dhutton]

Judging from that pic you need to add some negative camber to cure the rub.



What are your current alignment specs?

Don

[Kenova]

Would the steering arms and drag link from ridetech's true turn kit help? Would they play nice with your current spindles?

Ken

[Rod]

not researching how far my disc brake kit would push the wheels out (3/4"!)

I think you answered your own question... change brake kits? you'll gain 3/4 inch and the you can use small wheel spacers to get it exactly where you want it

[young51]

Rod,
wouldn't that just bring the rim 3/4" in closer to the steering arm?

Kenova,
I looked at that kit but have read I may run into clearance issues with the oil pan sice it moves the linkage up an inch or so. i will be reaching out to them to confirm.

[WOLF1732]

Sure move the tie rod pickup point. put the outer tie rod point ( A) back in the stock location or you are going to need to do a little design and engineering to place the outer point where it does not give you a massive amount of bump steer. If you go to woodwardsteering.com detailed tech info ----- basic rack geometry is a nice detailed guide of how to set up your rack without me typing a war and peace set of instructions. It's not a big problem. Enjoy the fabrication.