Best source for C2 front spindles

[Jerry G.]

I'm looking for the highest quality front spindle for my race car. I'm concerned about lower quality replacements. Anybody better than any body else??

[Joe L.]

Re: Best source for C2 front spindles

I'm looking for the highest quality front spindle for my race car. I'm concerned about lower quality replacements. Anybody better than any body else??

Jerry------


As far as a stock-type replacement, I was not aware that there were any reproductions of this piece on the market. There may be racing-application pieces out there, though, that I'm unaware of.

[Dick W.]

Re: Best source for C2 front spindles

Jerry, I believe that I would convert it to '69-'82 spindles. They have a larger inside bearing. Just magnaflux them occassionally and race away

[Jerry G.]

Re: Best source for C2 front spindles

Are the dimensions on the later spinles the same as early units.

[Dick W.]

Re: Best source for C2 front spindles

Jerry, Joe Lucia can confirm this, but I believe up to '68 they were all the same, and the only difference in the '69 up was the bearing size. In addition to magnafluxing, I believe I would have them shot peened for stress relief

[John H.]

Re: Best source for C2 front spindles

Jerry -

I think the steering arm bolts and holes are also larger on the C3 spindles, but I don't recall when that started; Joe will know.

[Dick W.]

Re: Best source for C2 front spindles

I had forgotten that, but I think it was the '69 model year

[Joe L.]

Re: Best source for C2 front spindles

Jerry, Joe Lucia can confirm this, but I believe up to '68 they were all the same, and the only difference in the '69 up was the bearing size. In addition to magnafluxing, I believe I would have the shot peened for stress relief

Dick and Jerry-----


There were actually FOUR different front spindles over the 63-82 period. First, there was the 63-64, GM #3828580. Incidentally, this spindle was also a SERVICE spindle for 59-64 full size passenger cars. This spindle used the "small" spindle shaft and bearings and was designed for use with 7/16" spindle-to-steering arm attaching bolts. It was designed for use with drum brakes.

Second was the GM #3864023 used for 1965-67. It also used the "small" spindle shaft and bearings and was designed for the 7/16" spindle-to-steering arm attaching bolts. It was, of course, slightly redesigned to be compatible with disc brakes.

Third was the GM #3924384 used for 1968 ONLY. It used the "small" spindle shaft and bearings like 63-67 BUT was designed for use with 1/2" spindle-to-steering arm attaching bolts.

Fourth and last was the 69-82, GM #3953416. It used the "large" spindle shaft and bearings with the 1/2" spindle-to-steering arm attaching bolts.

All of the above can be installed on any 63-82. Of course, the 63-64 spindle cannot be used on later applications and vice-versa without also changing the braking system. If, for example, a 63-64 were converted to the 1965+ disc brake system, the 65-67 spindle would be a necessary and direct retrofit. Other year model range spindles could also be interchanged providing that other parts were changed, too. Most notable of these are the steering arms and front hubs.

While the 69-82 spindles can be installed on 65-67 Corvettes (and, 63-64 if the braking system is also changed), I believe there is a slight difference in the spindle shaft position relative to the ball joint bosses on 63-67 spindles versus 68-82 spindles. I believe this was part of the slight change in suspension configuration (lowering) that occurred between the C2 and C3 era. For the rear suspension, the corollary change was effected by revising the strut rod mounting bracket.

Just how much of a problem this would be on a 63-67, I don't know. The 69-82 spindle is definitely the strongest and best of the various spindles. If the 69-82 spindle is used on a 63-67, then the 69-82 steering arms MUST also be used since it is unsafe to "bore out" the 63-67 steering arms to accommodate the 1/2" bolts. The strongest of the steering arms, by far, were the 78-82 arms. However, most, if not all, PRODUCTION versions of these arms lack the holes for standard ratio steering. SERVICE versions after about 1978 have both holes in each arm, though. The 78-82 arms can be identified by the forging numbers 465071 and 465072. If one is able to bend these arms, one is very likely to die while doing it.

The 69-82 spindles can be directly retrofitted to a 1968 if the front hubs and bearings are also changed.

ALL of the four front spindles used over the 63-82 period are discontinued from GM.

[Steven B.]

Re: Best source for C2 front spindles

Dick and Jerry-----


There were actually FOUR different front spindles over the 63-82 period. First, there was the 63-64, GM #3828580. Incidentally, this spindle was also a SERVICE spindle for 59-64 full size passenger cars. This spindle used the "small" spindle shaft and bearings and was designed for use with 7/16" spindle-to-steering arm attaching bolts. It was designed for use with drum brakes.

Second was the GM #3864023 used for 1965-67. It also used the "small" spindle shaft and bearings and was designed for the 7/16" spindle-to-steering arm attaching bolts. It was, of course, slightly redesigned to be compatible with disc brakes.

Third was the GM #3924384 used for 1968 ONLY. It used the "small" spindle shaft and bearings like 63-67 BUT was designed for use with 1/2" spindle-to-steering arm attaching bolts.

Fourth and last was the 69-82, GM #3953416. It used the "large" spindle shaft and bearings with the 1/2" spindle-to-steering arm attaching bolts.

All of the above can be installed on any 63-82. Of course, the 63-64 spindle cannot be used on later applications and vice-versa without also changing the braking system. If, for example, a 63-64 were converted to the 1965+ disc brake system, the 65-67 spindle would be a necessary and direct retrofit. Other year model range spindles could also be interchanged providing that other parts were changed, too. Most notable of these are the steering arms and front hubs.

While the 69-82 spindles can be installed on 65-67 Corvettes (and, 63-64 if the braking system is also changed), I believe there is a slight difference in the spindle shaft position relative to the ball joint bosses on 63-67 spindles versus 68-82 spindles. I believe this was part of the slight change in suspension configuration (lowering) that occurred between the C2 and C3 era. For the rear suspension, the corollary change was effected by revising the strut rod mounting bracket.

Just how much of a problem this would be on a 63-67, I don't know. The 69-82 spindle is definitely the strongest and best of the various spindles. If the 69-82 spindle is used on a 63-67, then the 69-82 steering arms MUST also be used since it is unsafe to "bore out" the 63-67 steering arms to accommodate the 1/2" bolts. The strongest of the steering arms, by far, were the 78-82 arms. However, most, if not all, PRODUCTION versions of these arms lack the holes for standard ratio steering. SERVICE versions after about 1978 have both holes in each arm, though. The 78-82 arms can be identified by the forging numbers 465071 and 465072. If one is able to bend these arms, one is very likely to die while doing it.

The 69-82 spindles can be directly retrofitted to a 1968 if the front hubs and bearings are also changed.

ALL of the four front spindles used over the 63-82 period are discontinued from GM.

Joe, what made them stronger? More mass or something else?

Thanks!

Steve

[Clem Z.]

Re: Best source for C2 front spindles

how about impala spindles as they are used by people build race cars because of the strength ?

[Joe L.]

Re: Best source for C2 front spindles

Joe, what made them stronger? More mass or something else?

Thanks!

Steve

Steve------


Yes, they have a substantially thicker cross section over most of their length. The 63-67 steering arms are the weakest. The 68-only are next in strength and virtually the same as 69-77. The 69-77 (also SERVICE for 68) are next and, finally, the 78-82 (also SERVICE for 68-77) are the strongest.

As I mentioned, the 78-82 are so robust I think the only way someone could bend them or break them would be in an accident they didn't walk away from.

[Joe L.]

Re: Best source for C2 front spindles

how about impala spindles as they are used by people build race cars because of the strength ?

clem------


I was not aware of that. Which year model Impalas?