Lowering a Chevy squarebody front suspension | Kyle's Garage - Episode 8

[@j.k.salser499]

I've had people to tell me that a vehicle rides better (or at least "nicely) after having been lowered. Hummmmm! I beg to differ with that. I'd love to hear from someone about "geometry"--I believe that by lowering the front, the geometry WILL change. Someone? Thanks, Fellows, for taking the time to capture your project on video for us out here. I really enjoyed watching you work together!

[@TheLawyerMechanic]

Drop spindles do not change the front suspension or steering geometry. You use the same springs control arms etc. It simply raises the wheel and brake upwards. If you cut your springs or use drop springs that would change the front end geometry but camber bushings could be used to correct that at any good alignment shop. Springs change your whole geometry by changing the angles at which the a arms sit. Plus it also changes the location of your tie rod connections in reference to the height of the draglink which will screw up the geometry of the steering system. This can all be dealt with as long as it is not too extreme. Since you don't need to change the springs or shocks with a drop spindle the ride will be the same but your center of gravity will be lower which should improve handling by reducing roll. Hope that makes sense.

[@j.k.salser499]

My experience revolves around VW Beetles (the original Beetles). I consulted a now-retired VW trained Specialist. Here's what he had to say (in the context of VW Beetles, of course): "The explanation, as far as it goes is correct. However, since the front is now lower than the rear, the Caster has changed and through this Caster change the dynamic steering angles are also changed even though the Steering Geometry of the Axle Beam assembly has not changed. Since the center of gravity is changed, the Roll Center Height of the suspension will also change, both front and Rear. The Rear Toe Geometry also changes because the Transaxle (both Swingaxle and IRS) and Rear Suspension are now at a different angle. Braking forces also change with the now-changed angle. Brake bias is now added to the Front end and taken from the Rear end. Smaller, less noticeable changes occur thru-out the car. The Gas Gauge won't read the same, the Oil levels will change and so forth. These are all small increments and they, for the most part, can be ignored, but dropping (or raising) the Spindle height does change many other things. But it looks so cool !!" He added that VW sold a shim kit to place behind the lower front beam to push it to perpendicular with the roadway again. Bug Pack also sold a kit with two thicknesses of curved shims for the same purpose. So, the changes in geometry were well-known to exist way back in VW History.

[@jimbote1968]

never pound the end of the threads, shock the taper instead by striking the steering arm direct in line. Same goes for the ball joints, use a larger hammer or sledge as a backer and strike the knuckle on the other side. Works every time.

[@rustyjeep2469]

jimbote1968 That’s what an old timer taught us in school... hold one 3lb sledge against the back side of the steering arm / spindle arm, and then give the other side a good whack with another 3lb sledge... with a good hard hit the tie rod end / ball joint often pops out on the first try. Easiest way to get them out by far and preserves the part you’re trying to remove. It won’t hurt the cast iron spindle either. 2nd best method is a pickle fork, ideally on an air hammer, but it’s best done when you’re replacing parts as it’s almost guaranteed to ruin the rubber boot.

[@jimbote1968]

@@rustyjeep2469 yep, the only time i've had to use a fork and not the shock method is on my tacoma upper ball joints... the forged female taper is embedded inside of two welded stampings making the pickle fork a necessity.

[@andrewthompson5728]

Yup. In thirty-five years I never, ever had to use a pickle fork. Three-pound hammer with a prybar while the nut is still threaded on a ways.

[@customhotrodlife9303]

That's going to be one sweet looking square body, keep up the good work!

[@wendellp601]

Take the castle nut off and flip it around 180° to thread it back onto the ball joint. This will protect the castellations from damage.

[@1963impala2drWaylonWire]

thats how my pappy taught me to do it

[@TheKiltedYaksman1]

Those tie rod ends (as well as bushings and ball joints) should have been replaced anyway, so buggering the threads should've been no big deal. If you're worried about your budget that much, you're probably not going to be shelling out for drop spindles to begin with.

[@jtuck6065]

TheKiltedYaksman1 exactly my thought too. Not sure why they weren’t replaced with the project

[@Mjc103]

No joke for $200 they could have done it correctly. The best part was not using new bearings...

[@kapppz]

Using pickle fork and hammering on your castle nut destroys boots and whatnot. They make a front tool kit that has what looks like a kit of small wheel pullers that work surprisingly well. Got mine at Harbor Freight cheep. I use an impact wrench on the pullers back and forth till they pop.

[@jtuck6065]

Y’all separating them ball joints and tie rods the hard way I see.

[@1963impala2drWaylonWire]

i always hit them on the side and they pop loose without any chance of damaging the nut or the threads..

[@ronsteelable9405]

@@1963impala2drWaylonWire I was going to suggest the same. Smack the cast iron part. I spent many years using separators and smacking the threads+nut. You can go to town on the cast iron without worrying about damaging it.

[@MarkMeadows90]

I wouldn’t mind making one of these old square bodies into a mild restomod. I love the 76 stepside models. Love the older round headlights and simple taillights on them.

[@victoroneill7924]

Lowering the front end of a pickup is squirrely.

[@billbeyer657]

That's why you flip the castle nuts over before you beat on them.

[@masonl8128]

As a young punk I owned a sweet 85 Silverado, had done most major upgrades was just down to paint, showing off trying to rip longer second gear chirps and rolled it, damn I miss that truck, and the way they've rose in value is crazy.

[@gureno19]

But why lower a super nice classic work truck?

[@thecman26]

That truck's frikin sweet!

[@Everything817]

If you're going to beat on the castle nut, flip it over and flush the bottom to the edge of the bolt.

[@Camska427]

Looks best with stock suspension. These trucks are lowered too often.

[@John-Laird]

To each his own.

[@mikeybhoutex]

"...only used hand tools..." Um... 10:00 says otherwise... ;)

[@ethanpavelka4658]

Ahh love these trucks, hate stepsides! Hate on me lol i just prefer fleetsides.. anyone agree? Look alot cleaner IMO stepsides are acceptable on some trucks.

[@jacksonrice2209]

I’m 16 and working on my squarebody. I have a question. If I lower it with lowering springs and spindles, do I need to adjust my camber for lowering springs? Or is it fine with just lower springs?

[@Mjc103]

Take the castle off and turn it over to strike the flat side so you dont damage the castle nut.

[@arkey5441]

Rookie’s

[@jack002tuber]

Be careful of the springs when doing this. One can fly out of there and kill you

[@andrewthompson5728]

Nice video guys, but........ WHERE ARE YOUR SAFETY STANDS?

[@drumbeatclub]

Is that a 1977 Kawasaki KE 175 I see in the background?

[@jackdawg4579]

Would have been nice to see the tape on the height when it was back on the floor

[@calebschlake8387]

Looked like it dropped 2 inches , maybe

[@wadeeb]

great videos but not all of them are in the Kyle's garage playlist and the ones in there are all out of order making it harder to watch in sequence

[@wakjob961]

Lots of Harbor Freight tools there... they work.

[@user-ge2qn6gp4o]

No idea why you guys didn't replace the tie rods and ball joints since you already had them out. Oh and the wheel bearings. Doesn't cost that much and you were right there. Could have improved your ride and steering feel while doing this project.

[@Flatlanders_Garage]

The front suspension was not worn out. There was no play in any of the parts you mention. Why fix what ain't broke?

[@AutomotiveAnatomy]

Keeping the lowered clip just to yourselves I see haha

[@Flatlanders_Garage]

Next week the back end comes down, and you'll get to see the new stance fully settled

[@marlobreding7402]

I'm guessing dozens of seasoned auto techs have told you to never strike the ball joint and tie rod ends. You had the idea to strike the bosses on the spindle, besides it's getting a new one. I would have replaced at least all rubber bushings.

[@FixinBugsNStuff]

Can’t lower my square body. I still use it to haul stuff.

[@michaelhartzell9758]

Mr negative here, but I just dont see the effort vs the result. You might have just bought new brake parts , ball joints and tie rods for the cost of lowering the truck that really to me is unnoticeable . I enjoyed video but kept just wondering why?

[@aussiejas6599]

Cool

[@joeschlotthauer840]

I would've thrown rotors on it, The old ones looked like they were in a sandbox for 20 years...

[@ericeverson5956]

Nice garage, gents. Love this vid.

[@killcasino707]

Dat door gap doe

[@greghamilton1638]

Use a bigger hammer. Hit the side and it will come off. You guys worked 3 times as hard to do such a simple job!

[@notsure8041]

There's easier ways to do this you should watch a KZbin video.

[@pappabob29]

So, did you measure the drop once you put it back on the ground??? Would have been nice to illustrate the driver's side problem since this is supposed to be a "instructive" DIY video. No malice, just some "common sense". ;o)

[@MichaelTaylor_shishkbob]

what is that air-cooled 6 banger you have under the bench?

[@larrydewitt]

looks like a corvair

[@MichaelTaylor_shishkbob]

@@larrydewitt sweet, i have had a couple vw's, have never really seen an corvair. ty!

[@WhoThisGuy515]

He said he got it for a car he ended getting rid of in his last model A video. Asked what we might want to see done with it. If you have an idea, comment it.

[@isalmankhan1]

Cool😎

[@zachariahferguson8871]

Can I get that Bull Bar?

[@alans.7733]

Where did Hagerty find these pretty boys? Dressed for golf and trying to play mechanic. Using the coils to pop the ball joints? What could go wrong?? 🙄

[@Flatlanders_Garage]

I'm not a professional mechanic, that is true. However, one does not need to be a professional to work on their car. This show is meant to be inviting and encouraging for those looking to start working on their own projects. We all make mistakes and, so long as we learn from those mistakes, it is fine to do so. I have had good luck popping ball joints on other vehicles using the spring tension. Remember, the ball joint nuts were still in place and the jack was under the lower control arm.

[@ChristopherHayniedd980]

I hate lowered trucks. Leave it alone.

[@user-cg4ko3yr4y]

HELLO, PLEASE CREATE RUSSIAN SUBTITLES))))

[@djbillye4943]

cutting coils is far more easier and cheaper,does the exact same thing really

[@sarathprabharajan1091]

First

[@joaquincoccaro7900]

and the first idiot who type that.