How to identify drop spindles??

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edfiero

Not-quite-so-new-guy
May 2, 2022
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I've got an 84 Grand National.

My front end was lowered by a previous owner.
My tires rub the wheel well going over bumps, even with new Billstien shocks. So trying to figure out if I need to go back to stock spindles, or get different springs.

Is there anyway to identify a drop spindle? Mine has no obvious markings. But can I measure it or something?
The spindle has either been off the car and repainted or its not original because the paint is really good on it, and it is not rusted at all.
 

edfiero

Not-quite-so-new-guy
May 2, 2022
19
5
3
Ok, if no one knows how to identify a drop spindle, does anyone have a stock knuckle lying around that you can measure for me?
If I knew the distance from the very top of the knuckle at the ball joint to the center of the spindle, I could compare to mine and probably decide if I have a stock spindle or not.
 

scoti

Royal Smart Person
Sep 5, 2019
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Ok, if no one knows how to identify a drop spindle, does anyone have a stock knuckle lying around that you can measure for me?
If I knew the distance from the very top of the knuckle at the ball joint to the center of the spindle, I could compare to mine and probably decide if I have a stock spindle or not.
Drop spindles can be identified by the location of the 'pin' the hub centers on.

Stock spindles will have the pin relatively low in relation to the spindles main body. It's closer to the lower ball-joint.
Drop spindles will have the pin located higher within the mass of the spindle body (closer to the center of the spindle body), The amount the pin is raised is the amount the car drops.
 

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edfiero

Not-quite-so-new-guy
May 2, 2022
19
5
3
Drop spindles can be identified by the location of the 'pin' the hub centers on.

Stock spindles will have the pin relatively low in relation to the spindles main body. It's closer to the lower ball-joint.
Drop spindles will have the pin located higher within the mass of the spindle body (closer to the center of the spindle body), The amount the pin is raised is the amount the car drops.
Thanks for the picture. My spindle appears to be centered, like the picture on the left. So I guess that is not my problem. They likely cut a coil out of the springs.
 

scoti

Royal Smart Person
Sep 5, 2019
1,959
3,365
113
Texas
Thanks for the picture. My spindle appears to be centered, like the picture on the left. So I guess that is not my problem. They likely cut a coil out of the springs.
In the images, the LEFT spindle (un-painted) would be a drop spindle.
The RIGHT spindles (painted Black) would be stock height.

You could have drop spindles w/a stock low spring rate for the springs or as you indicated they could be cut -down. Drop spindles + a shorter coil will definitely have the tires buzzing the inner fenders. The taller the tire, the worse the rub will be. What height tires?
 
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Ugly1

Royal Smart Person
Oct 26, 2021
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Lost in the woods of NH
I've got an 84 Grand National.

My front end was lowered by a previous owner.
My tires rub the wheel well going over bumps, even with new Billstien shocks. So trying to figure out if I need to go back to stock spindles, or get different springs.

Is there anyway to identify a drop spindle? Mine has no obvious markings. But can I measure it or something?
The spindle has either been off the car and repainted or its not original because the paint is really good on it, and it is not rusted at all.
You could have any number of spring setups. V6 springs and a V8 put in. Or heated and dropped stock or as you are thinking stock springs cut down. If you don’t have drop spindles and it bounces bad even with good shocks.
 
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