TheSamba.com :: View topic - 67 hopefully simple drop spindle question

Sat Mar 17, 2007 10:15 pm

I tried looking in some old posts but couldn't find anyone with the same problem im having. I was wrestling with these spindles today from 1pm til I ran out of daylight :x . I installed 2 1/2" drop spindles on my 67 and theres 2 holes for the tie rod to connect to on each spindle. When I installed them both on the inside holes one wheel was straight and one was turned slightly. Then when I tried one in and one out the other was turned and the one previously turned was straight. Now that I have them both installed on the outside holes the wheels are both straight but my drivers side wheel sticks out further as if it had backspacing on it while the passenger side is nice and tucked inside the wheelwell. I'm officially stumped and out of daylight :? Any suggestions? I have the correct bearings and everything. One tire just sticks out almost an inch past the wheelwell and the other is tucked. Greatly appreciated if anyone can help.

Sat Mar 17, 2007 10:28 pm

Any time you change the spindles you should have the front end aligned. Doing so, the alignment shop will adjust the tierods and everything with the front suspension. This should take care of any wheels sticking out and tires not being straight.

Sat Mar 17, 2007 11:21 pm

North the first question that comes to mind is where did you get your spindles??? There should only be one hole to attach the tied rod end to. I just put these on my 67 and it was a pretty straightforward installation.

Sun Mar 18, 2007 1:12 am

Thanks clarkbre, I was hoping it would be something as simple as an alignment. Henrym - picked them up at a local vw parts shop (viking foreign auto, novato ca.) not sure where he ordered them from.

Sun Mar 18, 2007 9:53 am

henrym wrote: North the first question that comes to mind is where did you get your spindles??? There should only be one hole to attach the tied rod end to. I just put these on my 67 and it was a pretty straightforward installation.

you are wrong, alot of balljoint dropped spindles have two holes for the tie rod end. you should have the tie rod end installed in the hole thats toward the inside of the car, not the one towards the wheel itself.

Sun Mar 18, 2007 12:33 pm

Interesting. I wonder why they would put two tie rod holes on a spindle. I guess it must be for different positioning or years.

Sun Mar 18, 2007 12:33 pm

Interesting. I wonder why they would put two tie rod holes on a spindle. I guess it must be for different positioning or years.

Sun Mar 18, 2007 2:36 pm

makinbakin wrote: henrym wrote: North the first question that comes to mind is where did you get your spindles??? There should only be one hole to attach the tied rod end to. I just put these on my 67 and it was a pretty straightforward installation.

you are wrong, alot of balljoint dropped spindles have two holes for the tie rod end. you should have the tie rod end installed in the hole thats toward the inside of the car, not the one towards the wheel itself.
OOOOHHH!! He told you! You must have those cheap CBPerformance spindles(snickering)
I have never seen drop spindles with two holes,either. They sound like welded factory spindles with a quick steer kit welded to them as well. I certainly wouldn't use a spindle like that on my car.

Sun Mar 18, 2007 2:51 pm

Yeah---he told me for sure. I'll watch my step around here next time :roll: Alan you are right--- I have those cheapie single-hole ones. In fact mine are made from plastic (I'm still saving up my paper-route money for them new-fangled metal ones!) Alan what in gods name is that in your avatar?

Sun Mar 18, 2007 3:22 pm

My nonexistant '57 euro rag with my non puchased Flat-4 Enkiel wheels. It was hit droadside and is under repairs. I'm still waiting to see pics of pink kitty's '55 :wink:

Tue Mar 20, 2007 9:29 am

Wow, my problem surfaced when I broke out the measuring tape. One fender is a lil over an inch wider than the other! Time for an alignment and some 145's to take the place of my 165's.

Tue Mar 20, 2007 9:30 am

and some new fenders... :wink: