Update: Speedway Dropped Spindle Install

[Late 55]

Well....Got the new lowering springs in and it dropped the 55 aprox 1 1/2 inches....everything went well after fabricating a spring compressor.Couldn't get the spring compressor to fit so made one out of some 1/4" plate and all-thread rod.Next up was the dropped spindles.Removed the original spindles/disc brake conversion and installed the spindle on the drivers side.Bolted right up......then everything went downhill FAST!! Turned the spindle by hand....only moved about 1/3 of the previous radius before it contacted the lower A frame......NOT GOOD!! Called Speedway and the first fellow on the phone knew exactly what I was describing....he transfered us to the tech guys...their response was basically that they sold hundreds of these with NO complaints.It was suggested that we grind the back of the spindle to provide enough clearance to miss the control arm.....I suggested I send them back and they do the modification and accept the liability....that brought a resounding "No Way"!I politely hung up the phone,called Heidts and ordered their dropped spindles/brake kit.....I have been assured that it will fit and perform exactly as the stock spindles without ANY loss of turning radius.When they get here Friday.....We shall see! I have had nothing but good results with tons of parts purchased from Speedway but I am NOT impressed one bit with thier Tri-5 dropped spindles!

[55fazzi]

Wow Late!
I've never heard of anyone that recieved that kind response from Speedway Motors before. I'm sorry to hear that. However.....Heidts is a very reputable supplier/manufacturer as you well know. hopefully their spindle's AND customer service will be more friendly....should you need to call on them. Good luck with that install.....keep us posted.

Tom

[Rick_L]

You're entitled to react the way you did, it's your money.

But it only takes less than an hour's work to make things right - and the majority of the work is not on the spindles.

I assume you have the MBM spindles they have been selling.

The good thing about the Heidt's spindles is you can put bigger brakes on them should you choose to.

[Late 55]

Tom....I have had nothing but good results in the past dealing with Speedway.....This one instance will not deter me from buying from Speedway in the future but I will definitely do a little more homework.I assume they will not have a problem with me returning the product.

Rick,If you've had experience modifying these spindles,I'd very much like to hear the details.....if they can be safely modified,I may keep them for my yet to be obtained 55 Sedan project.I had two lines of thought,the first was to create a trough on the back of the spindle so to speak for the lip of the control arm to pass thru.My other thought was to perhaps remove part of the control arm to allow the spindle to pass.The spindle definitely looked beefy enough to trim but I am not a metalurgist and can only guess at the effect of modifying the part.My wife will be driving the 55 with both of our grandchildren aboard....I'd rather not have a part on the car that I have doubts about.That is perhaps an over-reaction on my part but I would rather error on the side of safety.Look forward to your reply....Thanks!

[55fazzi]

Daryle,
I have in the past, and will in the future, continue to shop at Speedway Motors. I have never had a problem with their parts or customer service. It is alway's good to know other people's experiences, good or bad, so we can make a more informed decision when spending our hard earned money. Thanks again.

Tom

[Rick_L]

The stop pad on the steering arm needs to be ground to where it is flush with the rest of the steering arm.

You will need to grind away a small amount of material on the lower control arm on the front and rear, outboard of the ball joint.

You will need to chamfer the area around the steering arm mounting bolts so that the steering arm sits flush.

You may need to chamfer the edges of the spindle in a couple of places.

You WON'T have to remove major amounts of material anywhere, except for the pad on the steering arm. These modifications don't structurally weaken any components.

The worst clearance is when the suspension is hanging on the frame. It gets better when the weight is on the suspension.

[2Loose]

Rick,
Have you installed a Heidt's spindle? Do you know if the same issues (grinding some clearances) are involved with the Heidt's to any extent at all?
Willy

[Late 55]

Rick....Thanks for the explanation.On my car,the spindle when fully turned was no where close to the steering stop but I could see where that would come into play if I modified things to allow it to turn farther.I think I will return them and order another set from Heidts when I find my sedan project.It is my understanding from talking to what seemed to be a very knowledgable Heidts tech that their spindles are specifically designed to work with the stock control arms,bolt on with no modifications required,and do not inhibit the turning radius at all.I also like the fact that I can use a larger rotor...Thanks again!

[Rick_L]

Willy, I have not personally put a set of Heidt's on a car, but I've seen them on a car going together and everything was well without grinding as Late55 described.

Personally, I would not buy the McGaughy or MBM again - I bought the McGaughy before I knew about internet boards (CT) and got knowledgeable about this stuff.

Here's how I think about it - the McGaughy/MBM spindles are the price leader and you pay for that discount with the loss of turning radius or the extra work in making them turn far enough. They also are not able to be upgraded to bigger brakes. Other than that, those spindles work fine. On the other hand the Heidt's spindles are versatile, they fit out of the box, and you can buy caliper brackets and hubs to mount a bigger brake should you choose to now or later. The TCI/Earle Williams spindles are the same way and offer you a little less outward movement of the wheel mounting surface compared to stock drums, but they cost a bit more than Heidt's, but not much.

On my car, I have opted for a stranger combination using C3 Corvette spindles. This requires shorter upper control arms, and you have to machine an adapter for the spindle to fit the lower ball joint. But, you get 12" rotors and big pads/calipers, along with a taller spindle that helps suspension geometry and scrub radius. Downside is it's not a lowering spindle so you have to do all your lowering with the springs. The car is still going together so the jury is still out on whether this was a truly worthy move.

[L&L CUSTOM PERFORMANCE]

I AM AN INSTALLING DEALER FOR HEIDTS HOT RODS. AS FAR AS I AM CONCERN THEY ARE SOME OF THE BEST PEOPLE IN THE BUISNESS TO DEAL WITH . GARY HIEDTS IS A MECHANICAL ENGINEER BY EDUCATION AND PREVIOUS EMPLOYMENT . IF IT DON'T WORK HE AIN'T SELLING IT. I HAVE USED THIER SPINDELS AND THEIR BRAKE SYSTEMS , AND CONTROLL ARMS ON A NUMBER OF PRODJECTS BOTH TRI FIVES AND ALMOST ALL MY STREET ROD PRODJECTS AND IT DOESN,T GET ANY BETTER OR EASIER THAN THIER STUFF. LATER LARRY www.llcustomperformance.com

p.s. I ALSO HAVE HAD GOOD LUCK WITH SPEEDWAY . AND HAVEING MET SPEEDY BILL ONCE I DON'T THINK IT WAS HIS IDEA FOR YOU TO BE TREATED LIKE THAT. :eek:

[55fazzi]

Larry from L&L Custom Performance deals on a professional level with both Heidt's and Speedway Motors......And speaks highly of both. It's nice to know most aftermarket suppliers treat the individual buyer with the same high standards as the high volume professionals. That's good news. Thanks for sharing Larry.

Tom

[Rick_L]

I'm not sure I'd expect Speedway to know about this kind of deal with the spindles - maybe if you got the right guy on the phone - but maybe not if you got the wrong guy.

These kind of things are real typical with hot rod parts - it's rare when one bolts on in the exact configuration it's received.

Now, I'm not treating this as "no big deal", because it can be - that's why you need to read this board and find out how things are in the real world. Sometimes the users know more than the sellers - and obviously we have a different point of view, because it ends up being our stuff, not theirs.

[Late 55]

I definitely agree 100% with the opinion expressed concerning both Gary Heidts and their products.Though I've never used anything from them on a Tri-5,I've used dozens of their various front suspensions under nearly every streetrod that I've built.....NEVER a problem with either the product or service!

[Late 55]

Got the new Heidts dropped spindles and disc kit installed on the wifes 55.Dropped the frontend a BUNCH! If the old saying that "If it don't drag,It aint low enough" is true.....It's low enough,I get a little "exhaust pipe scrape" when entering a steep driveway! I REALLY like the way it looks! The kit was a true bolt on with no modifications required and it maintained the stock turning radius.Quality product and a snap to install.....Highly recomended!!I'll post a couple photos in my garage when time permits!