IF YOU ARE USING 14” OR 15” WHEELS, PLEASE SEE THE ATTACHED
INSTRUCTIONS FOR MEASURING TIRE CLEARANCE ON YOUR WHEELS AND
TIRES. THIS WILL DETERMINE THE COMPATIBILITY OF YOUR WHEELS
BEFORE BEGINNING INSTALLATION.
1)
Vehicle Preparation
a)
Raise the vehicle until the wheels and tires clear the floor; support front of vehicle on
jack stands. Make sure parking brake is engaged. Remove front wheels from vehicle.
2)
Steering Arm Removal
a)
The factory spindles and all drum brake hardware will be removed and will not be
reused for this installation.
THE FACTORY STEERING ARMS WILL BE REUSED.
b)
First, separate the steering arm from the outer tie rod by removing the cotter pin and
castle nut. Then place a pickle fork between the steering arm and tie rod and drive
with a hammer to separate the two pieces.
c)
The steering arm can then be removed from the factory spindle by removing the brake
drum and removing the two nuts and bolts that retain the steering arm.
d)
Next, inspect the steering arm condition. If any cracks or damage are found, the arm
should be replaced. Next, check the size of the holes for the bolts. If the holes are
1/2”, the arms can be reused as is. If the holes are 7/16”, they will need to be drilled to
1/2” before they can be reused on the new spindles.
SSBC strongly recommends
the use of a drill press for this operation.
3)
Spindle Removal
a)
Before removing the spindles, it will be necessary to support the lower control arms.
This will prevent the control arms from dropping far enough for the spring to drop out.
b)
Support the control arm firmly underneath with a floor jack or jackstand. Next, place a
safety chain over the frame rail of the vehicle and connect it to the body of the jack or
jackstand
(The safety chain is used as an extra safety precaution)
. With the
shock absorber in place and the weight of the vehicle on the control arm, there should
be very little movement when the balljoints are separated.
c)
Remove the cotter pins from the upper and lower ball joints and remove the castle
nuts. Using a pickle fork, separate the ball joints from the spindle and remove the
spindle from the vehicle.
4)
Installation of Spindles and Steering Arms
a)
Check the condition of the balljoints. If any damage or excessive wear is found, the
ball joints should be replaced at this time.
b)
Install the new spindles onto the ball joints and install the castle nuts. Torque the
uppers to 50 ft/lbs and the lowers to 65 ft/lbs. Be sure to install the cotter pins.
c)
Bolt the steering arms to the lower two (2) holes on the new spindles. Use the 1/2”
bolts and nuts supplied and torque to 75 ft/lbs.
d)
Reconnect the steering arms to the outer tie rod ends and install the castle nut.
Torque to 35 ft/lbs and install the cotter pins.
W123-ADS, -3ADS Revision 3
1