[stroked71]

First off, i have searched for a few hours on here and haven't found a flat out answer to this question: Is there any way to lessen the bumpsteer with the "tall" spindle upgrade? I already have everything new except the control arms and dont want to spend that kind of money if the whole set up is gonna handle like crap. Its all going on a 71 chevelle with a small block. Im not looking for a pro touring car, and not a drag racing set up. I just want it to handle more like a modern car without any adverse conditions; and have better braking of the 12" conversion. any part info would be greatly appreciated. thank you

 

[Derek69SS]

There's really nothing you can do to fix it without scrapping the spindles.

It will handle OK, but there are better options available such as SC&C tall balljoint/adjustable A-arm packages if you can budget for them.

 

[usc2001gc]

I'm in the same boat, but further along. I already purchased Global West Upper arms years before the tall ball joint alternative was available. Now that I'm finally starting back on my Chevelle (a project that I started 10 years ago) I'm finding it hard to scrap my b-body conversion since I have already purchased all the parts (spindles, slotted rotors, calipers, a-arms, lower ball joint, and tie-rods).

Several months ago I read that Hotchkis was developing a new spindle to correct the bumpsteer issues. I contacted Hotchkis 2 weeks ago and they said they expect the new spindle to be out by the first of '09.

I think I'm going to go ahead and install my B-body spindles and look at upgrading to the new Hotchkis spindles when they are available or reevaluate swapping to the the tall ball joint conversion at that time.

 

[stroked71]

I guess my next question would be are there other spindles that i can use my brake kit on but will fit the car? I have the 12" kit from the camaro's. I'm trying not to get screwed out of the $2-300 bucks i have in it so far. thanks for the help so far.

 

[Gokou]

You already hit on the most cost effective route: wait for the new Hotchkis spindles and then swap them on, reusing your current arms and brakes for B-body spindles. That's really the only option if you don't want to sell all your current B-body brake setup & arms.

The other option you have is to buy AFX spindles and have them made with B-body balljoint inserts; they'll bolt right on to your B-body arms but you will have to switch to all C5 or C6 based brakes. Also, if your Global West UCA's are the "Gen II" design they won't work with the AFX spindles, they'll have too much negative camber even with no shims; you'd have to sell them and get different upper arms. I had to do just that earlier this year when I got rid of my B-body spindles for AFX spindles. The B-body spindles have 10 degrees KPI, the AFX spindles have 8 degrees; that's where the problem with the shorter GW Gen II upper arms come in.

I drove my car for over 5 years with the B-body front suspension; while the bumpsteer was noticeable the car did have overall more cornering grip with the B-body stuff compared to stock spindles & arms; I just lived with the bumpsteer to gain more cornering grip.

 

[stroked71]

Has anyone seen the Baer bump steer adjustable tie rods? Is this another solution? Their website describes them being made specifically made for this swap. Anyone used them yet? thanks

 

[sinned]

Has anyone seen the Baer bump steer adjustable tie rods? Is this another solution? Their website describes them being made specifically made for this swap. Anyone used them yet? thanks

Junk, they do not work on A bodies. The Baer peices move the tie rod the wrong way, it is a Camaro peice that looks cool and also happens to fit Chevelles and most folks don't know the difference anyway.

 

[MrFranco]

I have a good friend with a 68 Elco who has the tall spindles, koni shocks, stock a-arms (modified for anti-flex), etc and he keeps up with new vett's, porche's and ferrari's and he doesn't complain about the bumpsteer. He has said that too big of a deal is being made about the bumpsteer issue, but in reality it is such a small amount that most people wouldn't notice it much.

I am saying this because I wonder if it is a theory for most people and those who have done the swap, may be happy with it???

I'd love to hear feedback from people who have done the swap!

BTW he pushes about 800hp with a dry sump and he says to worry more about the tires/wheels and the brakes!

 

[yellow heap]

I have 12"caddy spindles and Hotchkis uppers-I love it-sure it's not perfect but it's WAAAY better than the stock setup,the tires wear evenly and it handles nice,I ran a fast ratio box with the stock spindles-I thought it was too twichy-with the b spindles it's perfect.

 

[ftrplt]

I too have done the b-body upgrade back when it was the only plan to make one's car handle better and get good brakes (1991). First let me say I am NOT an auto-crosser or slolam driver. I loved the improvement over the stock setup and was grinning from ear to ear over the improvement in the braking department going from drums to discs. To my uneducated driving technique, the difference was like night and day. I never pushed it hard enough to explore the bumpsteer issue. That being said, I am going to drive my car the way it is until the budget (wife) allow an upgrade to a setup like Gokou's. Just my .02.

 

[Ando]

Junk, they do not work on A bodies. The Baer peices move the tie rod the wrong way, it is a Camaro peice that looks cool and also happens to fit Chevelles and most folks don't know the difference anyway.

I hate to bring this up again sorry... But i'm trying to search for the low-budget alternatives...

The Rod-Ends that Baer are advertising right now are adjustable up/down.. Are these not the same rods discussed in this forum?

 

[stroked71]

yes those baer tie rods are the ones im talking about here. but have since already scrapped the tall spindles and gone back with the stock stuff just cross drilled and slotted rotors ceramic pads, looking to do the same in the back now which im looking to piece that puzzle together now. and hoping that just having 4 wheel discs will do it for me.

 

[JodysTransmissions]

Would using the "tall ball joints" with the "B" body spindles be a cheap fix?

 

[Teetoe_Jones]

No and no.

The Baer adjustable bumpsteer outer tie rods have shims that allow it to move the pin up and down, but it doesn't matter. The furthest up it can is no where near enough to fix it. The B body spindle is like putting plastic tires on an F1 car. Totally missing out on the potential of the car by going that route.

Tyler

 

[Q-ship]

I have a good friend with a 68 Elco who has the tall spindles, koni shocks, stock a-arms (modified for anti-flex), etc and he keeps up with new vett's, porche's and ferrari's and he doesn't complain about the bumpsteer. He has said that too big of a deal is being made about the bumpsteer issue, but in reality it is such a small amount that most people wouldn't notice it much.

I am saying this because I wonder if it is a theory for most people and those who have done the swap, may be happy with it???

I'd love to hear feedback from people who have done the swap!

BTW he pushes about 800hp with a dry sump and he says to worry more about the tires/wheels and the brakes!

The bump steer is almost a .25" over an inch of suspension compression, so it is an issue that your friend is choosing to ignore. I used to beat up on Porsches with a bone stock 67 Malibu 283 w/glide, most of the exotic cars owners can't drive what they bought. The bigger and unfixible problem with the tall spindle swap is the screwing up of the achermann, that really messes with the turn in. I have auto crossed my Monte Carlo with the tall spindles and can tell you that the oem height spindle is much better. It isn't a cheaper better handling disc brake option that venders have made it out to be.