AFX spindles on 68 camaro

[tumper93]

I am considering replacing my nearly 40-year old spindles with the AFX pieces for not only safety but performance as well. I have a question though....I have read that some people have had to replace their wheels because the backspacing is incorrect because of how the spindles are setup. Is this because they drop the car an additional 1" which ends up being too much with Hotchkis springs causing the tire to hit the fender lip?? I currently have the Hotchikis springs on mine and the subframe is out of the car so everything on this thing will be new and I have no idea where the wheel will be sitting. I did purchase wheels with a backspacing that everyone was using that didn't have rubbing issues (8" wide). I don't want to run junk repop spindles with tiny bearings if I can run the AFX's. I would appreciate any help that you guys can give me. Winter is coming and I gotta get this thing back together so I don't freeze in the garage this winter. Also do you guys know if they give PT members a discount????

[TitoJones]

It isn't the backspacing that is the issue there. Our spindles do not change the track width of the car, so backspacing changes aren't typically needed.

The issue is the brake system. C5/C5 Corvette brake systems are required on our AFX spindle, but the calipers and rotors have little offset to them, making them sit out-board quite a bit. The main issue on wheel clearance is the spoke to caliper. There are quite a few companies that don't have enough spoke clearance to clear a C5 caliper in the factory location (which our spindle uses).

bottom line is check your wheels for the brake kit you plan on running with our spindles to make sure they clear, because our spindles will not cuase the issue, the brake system will.

Tyler

[tumper93]

I already have the speed-tech brackets and have mounted the c5 brakes on my drum spindle and do have a little bit of wheel to caliper interference but I can eliminate that with a .125" spacer, no big deal. With this being said do you think I will have any problems with these? Thanks for your help so far.

[TitoJones]

Does the speedtech use a C4 rotor? If it does, you will have even more problems with our AFX spindle.

Tyler

[Stoker420]

is there a differance with the C5 calipers and a 4th gen camaro caliper? can I use 4th gen camaro calipers with the afx spindels.

[eville]

I'm thinking about the ATX spindles also. Will I need a 17" front wheel to use the C5 brakes? Currently I have 16's in the front. (argh I hate redoing stuff).

[tumper93]

No I am using the c5 rotor and caliper with caliper basket, no c4 stuff all c5. I will give you a call and talk to you about it over the phone tomorrow or the next day and place the order. Thanks for the quick info.

[zbugger]

If you're using all c5 stuff, you should have no problem whatsoever bolting it right to the AFX spindle. That's what it was designed to use.

[jwcarguy]

Tumper, I just finally finished my 68 with Hotchkis TVS and the ATS AFX spindles. I used factory C5 upgrade calipers and brackets. Just make sure that you use 97- early 04 caliper brackets, they increased the rotor diameter and the later bracket pushes the caliper out 1/2" futher. I'm running and iron head 427. I have 17 x 8 Billet Specialties SLX -45's (they have more caliper clearance) The tire is a 235/45ZR17's. I've only driven the car alittle bit (not registered yet) but the only time that I had a rub, was when I hit a dip in the road at about 50 mph, a slight rub on the inner wheel well uppr/ outter bolt head. Also, to gain more caliper clearance, I run a flush mount valve stem, due to the fact that the valve stem is behind the wheel spokes. I can email you pictures if that will help. Trust me , you will not be disappointed with the ATS products or staff. They are top notch all around. I'm just lucky enough to have them in the same city, and about 10 miles away!! Hope this helps. Jeff Wheeler

[tumper93]

Thanks for the replies! Jeff I would appreciate any pictures you can send of your setup, and car, great looking ride. I made up my mind to get them last night just for the reliability issue really. I am the steering and suspension guy at my dealership and I have only seen 1-spindle break outside of wrecks but don't want such a thing to happen to me especially in this ride and like I said these things are almost 40 years old.

[tumper93]

One question I forgot to ask. Should I get the tall or stock height spindles? I am running speed tech upper and lower control arms with coil springs. I believe it should be the tall just for the extra camber curve but will this create any problem?

[jwcarguy]

Tumper, The ATS spindles are the "tall" design, rasingthe upper balljoint location. I do believe that they also have a 7/8" drop to them also. Please call Tyler or Shane at ATS for the exact specs (702)245-6305. If can swing it, I would highly recommend getting their new 600 series steering box. WHAT A DIFFERENCE!! The car seems like it is on rails!! Tyler and the crew did a awsome job aligning it and installing the Global West subframe connectors. I also installed Global West stock height aluminum body mounts. You can purchase all ofthese parts from ATS (One stop shopping!!) I'll get some pics to you later today or tommorow. Just let me know if you need specific ones. Thanks, Jeff

[Steve68]

Pic of the box, that's one of my next big purchases,

[tumper93]

I looked yesterday to order the spindles and box and saw that the spindles are on back order--go figure--especially since I had made up my mind. I will have to put my name on the wait list and hope that it won't be 4-months like it was on my speed tech control arms (ordered them elsewhere). At least I can get the steering gear and have everything put together and then just put the spindles on later. It's not like I will be driving it in the next 2 months anyway, plus the current spindles aren't tightened which is an added help. Thanks again for the replies guys.

[Stoker420]

I just orderd mine they were on back order when I ordered them and I got them within just a few weeks.

[jfman]

You mean they have them right now ? The website says that they are still on back order...