I am considering installing 0.9" longer upper ball joints on my 1970 442 to improve the camber curve. I am wondering if the change in spindle height will require adding shims to the bushing shaft to "pull" the spindle back to correct the camber?

I am assuming the upper ball joint is below the horizontal line thru the upper bushings, therefore the top of the longer "spindle" will tilt slightly outwards as it follows the circular arc up to the horizontal. IF I can add shims, it should allow me a little more caster adjustment. (all other suspension parts are stock)

I've added aftermarket upper control arms on my other modified 1970 442 and they allowed me to get 7 degrees positive caster and 1.5 degrees negative camber and the car tracks amazingly. The above subject car is numbers matching and I don't want to change anything that will be visible. Thanks, Bob

 

My rule of thumb is whenever I do any major parts changes to the front end an alignment always follows.

 

Ideally you'd install shorter aftermarket UCAs, but if you don't want to do that adding shims 'should' work. I say should because I've heard of people having problems not being able to install enough shims to get a proper alignment, or they make contact with the headers. Maybe an UBJ that's is 0.5 taller would be a good compromise.

 

Good info here, read the third Q and A.

http://scandc.com/new/faq

 

I agree an alignment is required. I have a Jeggs alignment tool that connects directly to the spindle threads and seems to be very accurate. None of the local shops want to play with non—stock settings and staggered wheel widths.

 

Mr. Nick, thanks for that link, it really explained alot. Maybe I’ll try the 1/2” longer ball joints to be safe. The car has stock manifolds so I should have room to adjust. I am most interested in being able to get some + caster adjustment from this change because that’s what you feel in the steering. It eliminates that “wander” that you have with - caster

 

Marcus @ SC&C is a good guy and he'll talk your ear off. Even if you don't buy anything from him. He helped design the AFX spindles and did a lot of work with the tall balljoint mods. So I'd recommend talking to him about your plans and he'll let you know the pitfalls.

 

http://www.angelfire.com/tx/lonestar...allspindle.htm


my cutlass has the conversion with original control arms.
there are a stack of shims for alignment and I was told factory manifolds W Z are what will fit ... no headers with 455

 

Global industries makes offset uca shafts that will give you 3 degrees positive and look just like the stock shafts.

 

I purchased the Pro-Forged, 0.5" longer, upper ball joints for my 1970 442. I will post an update with pictures after I install them, probably in June. Thanks for all the feedback, Bob.