Drop the Frontend AGAIN!

OK, I realize this is an already asked question a thousand times probably.But i still am not getting anywhere.
i want to drop the front end of my 57 chevy 210 wagon(see below) about 2 to 3 inches. i have been searching the web for a great price on spindles,yet all seem to be aweful pricey,and all need their own caliper/rotor setup.But i already just installed new calipers/rotors.Must i buy theirs to make it work?Mine are off a 75 c-10 truck.Also,i see that this only gives you an actual 1.5" to 2" drop.And there seems to be some that advertise if you want an additional 1" drop you need to purchase coil springs to give a total 3" drop.So, what if i just cut the springs myself.is that just going to give only a 1" lower? I also hear you can go with the Air-Bag shocks to do the drop.What else is necessary with that option? And again,what a drag.... i just bought new shocks also.Any other solutions?Thanks for any replies.

Lerch

I started with cutting the front springs and gained about 2inchs of drop, the ride gut a little harder but not unbearable. Next I bought the hiedts dropped spindles and gained abou 2 more inches of drop . Finally I put in a set of airbags I now have about 10 inches of travel and it dropped another 4 inches You cant drive it at its lowest setting but add 50 lbs of air and it picks up about 4 inchs . and rides fine Carlg

I am also wondering if this will affect the handling or alignment.Unfortunately i have just replaced all frontend parts and aligned.i hate to screw that up.i am thinking it would probably affect the "Camber"...am i right?Giving it "Negative Camber."(top of wheels closer together.)
Thanks,
Lerch

Thanks Carlg,
These look like fairly decent prices.What do you think about the "Made in China" $149.00 at the bottom? OK,i'm a Cheap-SOB
http://www.hotrodsusa.com/store/chev_spindles.html

And here also are some coil springs for $75. Not bad.
http://www.classicchevygreenville.co..._Bearings.html

Wheres a good place to look for airbag shocks?Although i probably can't afford them.

Lerch

if you are using s10 spindles now then buy s10 2'' drop spindles and use the same rotors and calp. you are using now. while you got the spring out cut 1 coil off of the spring, put it back in the car and see what you have. should be about a 3 '' drop. after you have it sitting like you want then you need to get it aligned. you dont have to have their rotors and calp. ive got bell on mine with stock rotors, bearings and calp. works great.

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Originally posted by lerch
I am also wondering if this will affect the handling or alignment.Unfortunately i have just replaced all frontend parts and aligned.i hate to screw that up.i am thinking it would probably affect the "Camber"...am i right?Giving it "Negative Camber."(top of wheels closer together.)
Thanks,
Lerch

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you should not have to realign if you dont cut the spring. with drop spindles the alignment should stay where its at, as long as you dont mess with the toe-end and a-frame shims. if you put shorter springs in then everything will change. :HMMM:

Lerch that is going to look realy nice lower, when you get it to the stance you want you might want to cut down the rubber bumps stops so your not riding directly on them giving you a real stiff ride. Im not sure on your car where they are located of even if it will be a problem just something to think about. Im going to lower my Impala once I get it going right now its pointed way up in the air, doesnt have motor or tranny in it so it looks 4 wheel drive from the front lol

Thanks guys,but i am not sure which spindles i should get.i guess for the money the Superiors are Better than the Heidts.Because of the Bolt on caliper brackets..which i am not sure which i need.Anyone know,BTW- the caliper/rotors are off a 75' C-10 Truck i think.However i just measures the rotors.i got one 10.5" and the other is 11", not sure how that happened.But they ask if late model or early model,which is it?Anyways the Heidts come with free shipping.But the "Made in China" might be alright seeing how only $180 with shipping. Hell...i don't know!
\Lerch

http://www.hotrodsusa.com/store/chev_spindles.html

P.S.-Just how hard is it to remove/install?Just need a Ball joint seperator and a coil spring compressor?And a Big Hammer i am sure!

fatman fabrication sold me 3" drop for the S-10,Monte brake setup for my 66 imp convert. all alignment went to stock #s. if i were smarter would send pic

Hi Minnik,
Thanks.i just called Fatmans and they said the spindles available are 2" only and only work for 80-89' Malibu/Nova Calipers.He said "No one makes drop spindles for any other calipers.""Not Superior,Not Heidts...No one.PERIOD"
So i must get new calipers.Bummer.
Anyways,they sell for $270. He recomended not cutting or buying shorter springs.
Hows their quality compare to Heidts or Superior Spindles?

Lerch

Question...i just went out to measure and its hard to tell,but is a 2" drop really worth it? i mean is it THAT noticable?Anybody got any comparison pics of yours or any opinion?

Thanks Lerch

alignment guy really liked road test, new springs and fat sways makes it stick unlike impala

"......you should not have to realign if you dont cut the spring. with drop spindles the alignment should stay where its at, as long as you dont mess with the toe-end and a-frame shims......."

Mike I'm not sure I completely agree with you on this. Ideally, yes the critical dimensions that would affect alignment would be the same and it should be just a bolt on.

I've seen too many stock spindles with either the top or bottom bolt ball joint stud hole drilled a little off or even the tie rod hole a bit off center. I'm sure they were well within factory tolerance and in no way unsafe, but it would defiantly affect the alignment of the vehicle. With after market spindles chances are they may even hold tolerances closers, but who knows where those specs are compared to the units that are being taken off.

For no more than an alignment cost, it good insurance .

Quote:

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Originally posted by lerch
Question...i just went out to measure and its hard to tell,but is a 2" drop really worth it? i mean is it THAT noticable?Anybody got any comparison pics of yours or any opinion?

Thanks Lerch

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Don't take this the wrong way, but your post is a good example of learning the importance of planning, that way you don't waste $.

Is it worth it? Your call, but the picture below is the result of a 3" drop front and rear from stock, which was pretty much the same as your car. Front was done with 2" spindles and 1" shorter spring. Cutting your stock coils harshens the ride when compared to new coils wound to be more compliant while being shorter. I used Mc Gaughey's stuff which is good quality, and Heidts is always recognized as top notch. The Chubby Guy doesn't enjoy as good a reputation. When dealing with steering and brakes (not to mention suspension) saving $50 bucks may be a foolish choice if it's the difference between the best and something less than satisfactory.

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Originally posted by Mike P
"......you should not have to realign if you dont cut the spring. with drop spindles the alignment should stay where its at, as long as you dont mess with the toe-end and a-frame shims......."

Mike I'm not sure I completely agree with you on this. Ideally, yes the critical dimensions that would affect alignment would be the same and it should be just a bolt on.

I've seen too many stock spindles with either the top or bottom bolt ball joint stud hole drilled a little off or even the tie rod hole a bit off center. I'm sure they were well within factory tolerance and in no way unsafe, but it would defiantly affect the alignment of the vehicle. With after market spindles chances are they may even hold tolerances closers, but who knows where those specs are compared to the units that are being taken off.

For no more than an alignment cost, it good insurance .

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i agree it never hurt to check. :cool:

No need to cut springs, get in touch with these guys. They can furnish the perfect length and the perfect ride......
http://www.eatonsprings.com/

Bob Parmenter,
Thanks for the pic but really it would of been nice to see also a "Before" pic also.How am i to know what the difference looks like if i don't see it "Before and After".Are you happy with the results? And yes,i think i have decided to go with Heidts and if not them,Superior.i like the Heidts cause they have the interchangeble caliper bracket,so if you change from Early to Late model calipers. Thanks and pleaseif you have one,post a pic of that Beauty Before the drop.Sure looks nice!
Lerch

Hey Bob P.,
Have tried to search online for where you may have bought the McGaughys Stuff,but all i can find is for Truck and no 55-57 chevy at all.Steer me in the right direction please.

Thanks,Lerch

Hello Techinspector.
Thanks for recomend.Is this someone you have used yourself?.I just emailed them to see what they have available and will let you know what they have to say.
Thanks,Lerch

".Is this someone you have used yourself?."

Yep, and friends have also. Good company with a good reputation in the industry. Been around a long time. :)

Just as a for-instance, where else on the planet are you going to find a selection of 23 different springs JUST for the MII?????
http://www.eatonsprings.com/m2coils.htm

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Originally posted by lerch
Thanks and pleaseif you have one,post a pic of that Beauty Before the drop.

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Below is the car in nose bleed stock stance.

Here's an article from Super Chevy that will give you some ideas, and McGaughey's contact info is at the bottom. http://www.superchevy-web.com/tech/0410sc_suspens/
and here's his site directly www.mcgaughys.com

And for ease of comparison here's a similar shot after IMPROVEMENT.

Thanks Bob for the photos.And the help,and everyone else for your opinions.I have enough info now i will make a decision and in the next few weeks post a picture of the results.
Thanks,Lerch