Clearance issues with lowering spindles and what you did about it…

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Ricko1966

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 11, 2017
Posts
5,596
Reaction score
9,112
Location
kansas
First Name
Rick
Truck Year
1975
Truck Model
c20
Engine Size
350

Elliot W

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 13, 2021
Posts
161
Reaction score
271
Location
CT
First Name
Elliot
Truck Year
1974
Truck Model
C10
Engine Size
5.3
I’m officially dead in water. I even tried some 1” billet spacers that just showed up. The “hub ring” on the spacer (they said they’re made for my truck, but clearly they’re made for a hubcentric vehicle) are too big to fit in the center hole of the wheel.

I tried a 5/16 spacer but it only leaves about 4 threads for the lug nut, so the studs are too short for that.

If CPP says tomorrow that it’s not safe to grind any of extra that material off, then I really only have three options. Put longer studs in the disc so I CAN run a thin spacer, put back the stock spindle and raise up the rear a little, or new wheels and tires. What a pain in the ass. Should’ve left the damn thing alone.
You’re so close to finishing an awesome suspension setup! Of the 3 options, hammering out and replacing some studs doesn’t seem too awful to make it all work (although after researching and installing everything I can see how it feels like a moving goal post). Hopefully they say it’s ok to grind a little off the arm. Keep it up man it will be worth it!
 

ChuckN

Full Access Member
Joined
Nov 8, 2022
Posts
1,385
Reaction score
4,315
Location
Bellinham, WA
First Name
Chad
Truck Year
1981
Truck Model
C10
Engine Size
350
You’re so close to finishing an awesome suspension setup! Of the 3 options, hammering out and replacing some studs doesn’t seem too awful to make it all work (although after researching and installing everything I can see how it feels like a moving goal post). Hopefully they say it’s ok to grind a little off the arm. Keep it up man it will be worth it!
Thanks man. I feel like I have a little more wind in the sails this morning. I also discovered a local set of 15x6.5 rallies in good shape for a low price. Yet another option that is revealing itself.

As soon as I can find CPPs phone number and hours I’ll be on the phone with them. And when I’m canceling my alignment appointment this morning, I might ask if they’d press in some longer studs for me as well. I see that AutoZone has some longer Dorman studs in stock locally. Fingers crossed.
 

Scott91370

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 2, 2018
Posts
1,009
Reaction score
1,043
Location
Burleson, Tx
First Name
Scott
Truck Year
1985
Truck Model
Sierra1500
Engine Size
350
There are two brands of spacers I would use. BORA (which I currently have on my square) and Fred Goeske.

I would bet a paycheck that CPP is not going to say it is safe to grind away material. If they say yes and it fails that is a lawsuit waiting to happen.


P.S. Wipe off that extra grease before it's everywhere under the truck. It's scaring me! :D
 

89Suburban

Supporting Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Dec 7, 2010
Posts
24,809
Reaction score
6,738
Location
Southeast PA
First Name
Paw Paw
Truck Year
2007
Truck Model
Chevrolet Tahoe LT
Engine Size
5.3, 4WD
Hangs in there man, you so close!! :(
 

Ricko1966

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 11, 2017
Posts
5,596
Reaction score
9,112
Location
kansas
First Name
Rick
Truck Year
1975
Truck Model
c20
Engine Size
350
I’m officially dead in water. I even tried some 1” billet spacers that just showed up. The “hub ring” on the spacer (they said they’re made for my truck, but clearly they’re made for a hubcentric vehicle) are too big to fit in the center hole of the wheel.

I tried a 5/16 spacer but it only leaves about 4 threads for the lug nut, so the studs are too short for that.

If CPP says tomorrow that it’s not safe to grind any of extra that material off, then I really only have three options. Put longer studs in the disc so I CAN run a thin spacer, put back the stock spindle and raise up the rear a little, or new wheels and tires. What a pain in the ass. Should’ve left the damn thing alone.
Just reread your post about the spacers,put up a pic of your spacers. I may know how to modify the centers to fit your wheels.
 

ChuckN

Full Access Member
Joined
Nov 8, 2022
Posts
1,385
Reaction score
4,315
Location
Bellinham, WA
First Name
Chad
Truck Year
1981
Truck Model
C10
Engine Size
350
Just reread your post about the spacers,put up a pic of your spacers. I may know how to modify the centers to fit your wheels.
Hey, bud. I just got off the phone with CPP. They gave me the go ahead to remove up to 3/8 inch of material. As for my spacers, they’ve already been shipped back.
 

ChuckN

Full Access Member
Joined
Nov 8, 2022
Posts
1,385
Reaction score
4,315
Location
Bellinham, WA
First Name
Chad
Truck Year
1981
Truck Model
C10
Engine Size
350
There are two brands of spacers I would use. BORA (which I currently have on my square) and Fred Goeske.

I would bet a paycheck that CPP is not going to say it is safe to grind away material. If they say yes and it fails that is a lawsuit waiting to happen.


P.S. Wipe off that extra grease before it's everywhere under the truck. It's scaring me! :D
Haha! Yeah, I greased all the ball joints before I lowered it down. Squished all the excess out, just haven’t cleaned it up yet, ha ha
 

bluex

Full Access Member
Joined
May 9, 2013
Posts
1,987
Reaction score
2,637
Location
Spartanburg SC
First Name
Paul
Truck Year
1978
Truck Model
C15
Engine Size
350
I would CAREFULLY cut out /grind the edge of it up to the bottom of the ball joint. That shouldn't affect the strength or how the ball joint stays in. Bad attempt at marking it up but in an arc like this slightly above where it's been rubbing.

You must be registered for see images attach
 

ChuckN

Full Access Member
Joined
Nov 8, 2022
Posts
1,385
Reaction score
4,315
Location
Bellinham, WA
First Name
Chad
Truck Year
1981
Truck Model
C10
Engine Size
350
I would CAREFULLY cut out /grind the edge of it up to the bottom of the ball joint. That shouldn't affect the strength or how the ball joint stays in. Bad attempt at marking it up but in an arc like this slightly above where it's been rubbing.

You must be registered for see images attach
Thanks for that! Great minds think alike. Just got done doing that. Much better. Still have a little screech from somewhere but much improved. Looks like next thing may be time earlier fender wells. Rubbing when turning, “wub wub wub…”
 

ChuckN

Full Access Member
Joined
Nov 8, 2022
Posts
1,385
Reaction score
4,315
Location
Bellinham, WA
First Name
Chad
Truck Year
1981
Truck Model
C10
Engine Size
350
@bluex in case you ever run across this- CPP just sent me this photo and I’ll likely try to mimic this myself. Turns out that some of their control arms already have this angle taken out and it is structurally sound.
You must be registered for see images attach
 

WesN

Full Access Member
Joined
Feb 15, 2018
Posts
219
Reaction score
606
Location
Edmonton Alberta Canada
First Name
Wes
Truck Year
1981
Truck Model
C1500
Engine Size
350
I went with 17x8 wheels front and 17x9 wheels on the rear. Before that I kept moving wheel weight or knocking them off with the stock 8” wheels. Liked the stock wheels but like the lowered look better.
 

TotalyHucked

Full Access Member
Joined
Feb 24, 2020
Posts
3,791
Reaction score
12,258
Location
Auburn, Georgia
First Name
Zach
Truck Year
1985
Truck Model
Sierra 1500
Engine Size
5.3
Nice! Glad you got the OK to clearance the arms
 

LocoLocal

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 18, 2022
Posts
97
Reaction score
131
Location
Just east of West by God
First Name
Rob
Truck Year
1979
Truck Model
C10 Silverado
Engine Size
5.0
@bluex in case you ever run across this- CPP just sent me this photo and I’ll likely try to mimic this myself. Turns out that some of their control arms already have this angle taken out and it is structurally sound.
You must be registered for see images attach
Wish they would sell the control arms for our trucks like this (with the angle already taken out) so we didn't have to chop them up!
 

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
44,414
Posts
957,014
Members
36,741
Latest member
do4410
Top