Heidts drop spindles question

[Joey316G]

Let me start by saying yes, I read all the posts regarding drop spindles. Now, seems to me for my build, budget and what I want to accomplish, the only obstacle I am looking at is tie rod end interference. No I run a drop spindle on my 70 CHevelle but with only a 14x7 rally wheel and I also run them on my 92 S10 with a 16x8 ZQ8 wheel. The s10 comes close but doesnt hit. I plan on setting my backspacing on the camaro front wheel between 4.750 and 5.00. I have purchased a set of 19x8.5 wheesl for the front. My question is with a 19" wheel, has anyone tried this with a drop spindle before? I would think the large wheel might give me the clearance I need. If anyone has tried this before, I would love to know if it works. Thanks

[Teetoe_Jones]

Even the 19" wheel won't clear the tie rod and steering arm issue. You will be limited to 4" of BS on a 2" drop spindle.

Don't do it.

Tyler

[Heidts#14]

Even the 19" wheel won't clear the tie rod and steering arm issue. You will be limited to 4" of BS on a 2" drop spindle.

Don't do it.

Tyler

We have 4.5" BS on a 16" wheel for our 68.

[Teetoe_Jones]

We have 4.5" BS on a 16" wheel for our 68.

Wow, a whole half inch more?

Could I run 6.125" of backspacing or will the tie rod hit like they always do?

I stand by my don't do a 2 inch drop spindle statement. It will cause issues when running wide wheels.

Tyler

[Dukeofsho]

Just a thought: What if the spindle was machined so the tie rod would fit upside down? Would that effect the bump steer? Or a steering arm closer inward. You would have to turn in the tie rod in a little more but it shouldn't effect anything.
My $0.02

[wiedemab]

Just a thought: What if the spindle was machined so the tie rod would fit upside down? Would that effect the bump steer? Or a steering arm closer inward. You would have to turn in the tie rod in a little more but it shouldn't effect anything.
My $0.02

Yes, this would affect the geometry. Your moving the pivot point of the steering. Any changes in the location of the pick-up points of the suspension will affect its performance. I wouldn't recommend it unless you are analyzing the affects of these changes.

[Heidts#14]

Wow, a whole half inch more?

Could I run 6.125" of backspacing or will the tie rod hit like they always do?

I stand by my don't do a 2 inch drop spindle statement. It will cause issues when running wide wheels.

Tyler

What I was stating is its 4.5" on a smaller size wheel ( 15" ). Due to all the different wheel and tire combos which, we can not test all of them. BS can increase with larger wheels due to larger diameter. What we tell people to watch for is steering clearence with allot of BS on a large wheel like 19's. You may rub the inner frame rails with too much backspace on a larger wheel.

[Blake Foster]

even with a 19"x8 front wheel BS was 5" i think (it's been a while) we had to machine the steering arm to move the outer tie rod up to clear the rim.

[Heidts#14]

With which spindle and arm?

[David Pozzi]

A first gen Camaro tie rod end sits below the lower balljoint, so it's a way different clearance issue than a front steer car.

Also to confuse things, there are three different lengths of outer steering arms, the longer the arm, the worse the clearance issue will be. If you raise the outer end of the tie rod, you must also raise the inner end, but being rear steer, you can't go too far with it. The caliper sits above the tie rod end so you will run into it unless the caliper is relocated.
David

[fabricatordave]

three different lengths of outer steering arms???????
explain please ithought there were only a body and camaro

one each

[Blake Foster]

With which spindle and arm?


drop spindle? yours or fatman and unisteer rack arms.

[pro-tour79]

drop spindles increase scrub radius on cars that already have more than enough, yet it can't be corrected due to the inability to run a deeper back space, IMO drop spindles are fo street rods and show cars

[David Pozzi]

three different lengths of outer steering arms???????
explain please ithought there were only a body and camaro

one each

Read more here: http://www.pozziracing.com/camaro_steering.htm#Steering%20arm%20lengths%20and %20part%20numbers

http://www.pozziracing.com/Media/3starms1.jpg

[ironworks]

Read more here: http://www.pozziracing.com/camaro_steering.htm#Steering%20arm%20lengths%20and %20part%20numbers

http://www.pozziracing.com/Media/3starms1.jpg

Wow that is super informative info, Do you know a place to find the short arms? Or is that like a needle in a hay stack kinda deal. I have long ones I need to change for wheels clearance issues. What length are the typical replacements you can buy?

Rodger

[ironworks]

Are these listed wrong due to the number he is posting and the steering stops? Maybe off an early nova

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/STEERING-ARMS-CAMARO-FIREBIRD-CHEVELLE-67-68-69-NOVA-70_W0QQitemZ180328972687QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotors_ Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories?hash=item180328972687&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=72%3A727%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

[David Pozzi]

Those ebay arms look like the long ones.
sometimes you can find them on ebay or at swap meets, any of these GM cars like Nova, Ventura, Omega, 71 - 74 will fit, it's the same subframe.

CPP is making replacements but they duplicated the LONG arms! :thmbsdwn:

[ironworks]

Thanks you answered my question, I need a set of shorties to clear the wheels on Rich's camaro

Rodger