OK guys let’s talk spindles. About to start a rework of the front end… Disc brake conversion, rehab of all the steering components (Bushings, idler arm, pitman, steering box etc.) and a TCP shock/spring setup. In researching this I saw mention a few times of updating the spindles on my '68 to a '70+ unit. If my stock spindles are in good condition will I really gain from a swap? I don’t mind spending the money if it’s worth it since it’ll only be done once. Thanks for the input.
The '70 spindles are beefier but would require bigger tie road ends and different rotors/bearings to fit the '70 spindle. In short, you do not want to do this job given what you have already done, it would involve buying replacements for things you already bought.
Thanks. I haven’t bought anything yet. I want to have all my ducks in a row before I pick up the phone. That’s why I’m covering this base now. I won’t be tracking the car with a big block upgrade so I’m thinking the stock size Spindle will be fine, but one or two videos say the “upgraded” spindles will offer improved geometry. So if you were starting from square one which way would you go?
The 1970 and newer disc brake spindle castings are heavier duty, than those found 1968-69.
To be honest though, I have never seen a failed 1968-69 disc brake spindle. 1970+ disc spindles are much more common and have larger bearings. I chose to convert my 1968 XR7 and 1968 Mustang California Special to 1970 disc brakes, from their stock drums. Too many pluses not to, and they aren’t numbers matching.
I failed to read the second sentence of your post, sorry about that!
Based on my experience with thousands of disc brake conversions, I would not recommend swapping spindles if yours are serviceable.
Not to Hijack SoCalPat’s nearly 10-year old post, but y’all seem to know a thing or two about spindles. Years ago, I had my front drums upgraded to disc, so obviously I needed different spindles. The guy who did it used C80A 3107C/C80A 3108C. Now, I’m replacing outer tie rods on my ‘70, but the studs on the new ones (Moog ES387R/L), which are supposed to be correct for 70 Cougar - don’t fit the hole in the spindle.
The existing tie rod studs are 0.565 at the base and 0.520 at the thread. The new Moogs are 0.0565/0.0605.
Do y’all think I bought the correct replacements for a ‘70, but the guy who did my front brakes rebuilt ‘em with 68 spindles?
Those are 1968 spindles. The 1970’s would be:
RHS ( Passenger ) casting # D0ZA-3107-C ( part # D0OZ-3105-B )
and the LHS ( Drivers ) would be casting # D0ZA-3108-C ( p/n: D0OZ-3106-B ).
I installed my power disk brake conversion in the late 80’s. My car originally had non-assist drums. I had a 71 Montego parts car at the time so I used the spindles, rotors etc in my Cougar. Later I did a Granada brake conversion using parts obtained at pick-yer-part when there were a lot of Granadas in the yard. Granada brakes are a lot easier to work on. I was tired of all the bolts, pins, clips and whatnot that are involved in changing pads on the 69071 calipers. Some people complain that the Granada rotors do not allow stock-style wheels to be installed, but that can be fixed easily with a little machine work.
Yep. That’s what I’ve found since. I phoned Moog and, just as suspected, ES387 has a bigger diameter ball stud. It would have been perfect for the ‘70 knuckles I thought I had…but for the ‘68s on my car. I need ES360. Problem solved. Thanks, gah