Spindles

What Do Suspension Spindles Do?

Suspension spindles are the pivot point of your front end. Also called uprights or steering knuckles, they tie the steering linkage to the wheel hub so the wheels can turn. The spindle also carries the weight of the vehicle.

The spindle mounts between the upper and lower ball joints, and the tie rod end attaches to its steering arm. When you turn the steering wheel, the tie rod pushes or pulls that arm and the spindle rotates. If you're sorting out which part does what, our guide to ball joints vs. tie rods breaks down the difference.

Because the spindle locates the hub, its design affects ride height and brake mounting. That's why it needs to match the control arms and components it bolts to. In this category, you'll find spindles made from ductile iron, cast iron and forged steel for muscle cars, trucks and 4x4s.

How Do Drop Spindles Lower Your Car or Truck?

Drop spindles lower the front of your vehicle by relocating the hub, or spindle pin, higher on the casting. The wheel sits higher in relation to the suspension, so the body sits lower, typically by 2 or 3 in.

Because the springs and control arms stay the same, drop spindles are designed to keep the suspension working as the factory intended. Key details on Belltech drop spindles include:

• Maintained factory geometry, alignment and ride quality
• Compatibility with factory ball joints and tie rod ends
• High-strength ductile iron construction
• Two-spindle pairs for both sides of the vehicle

In this category, that includes Belltech 2 in. drop spindles for 1994-1999 Dodge Ram 1500 trucks. Before you order lowering spindles, read the fitment notes for your application. Some drop spindles require a disc brake setup, so plan your brake package along with the spindles.

Which Steering Spindles Fit Your Build?

The right steering spindles depend on your chassis, brake package and ride-height goal. Start with the platform, then choose stock height or drop, and drum or disc. Common options in this category include:

• Disc brake conversion spindles, such as the QA1 left disc brake spindle for 1980-1990 GM B-Body and F-Body cars
• Standard-height and 2 in. drop spindle sets from Speedmaster for 1974-1978 Ford Mustang II
• Wilwood Pro Spindle kits for Pinto/Mustang II geometry and Chevy/GMC C10/C15 trucks
• Replacement Dana 44 front spindles from Yukon Gear for GM and Ford F150 applications

You'll also find stock-height disc brake conversion spindle sets for 1962-1974 Dodge and Plymouth B-Body and E-Body cars. Off-road builders can shop spindles for 1979-1995 Toyota Pickup and 1985-1995 4Runner applications. With about 30 pages of results, filtering by vehicle is the fastest way to narrow the list.

What Should You Replace Along With Your Spindles?

During a spindle replacement, inspect the parts that work with the spindle before you reassemble. Worn spindles hurt alignment and cause uneven tire wear, and worn hardware around them can cause similar problems.

Start with the spindle nut and wheel bearings. Some spindle sets don't include a new spindle nut, so check the product details and order one if needed. Dorman Products spindle nuts and spindle nut kits cover many GM, Ford, Mopar, Toyota and Honda applications, including M22-1.5 nuts with a 32mm hex.

Next, inspect the ball joints and tie rod ends. The spindle pivots on the ball joints, so a worn joint lets even a new spindle move out of position. If the front end is already apart, replacing worn joints now saves you a second teardown.

Follow the torque specs in your vehicle's service manual or the spindle manufacturer's instructions for every fastener.

How Do You Confirm Fit and Align New Spindles?

Confirm fit before you order, then get an alignment after installation. Enter your Year, Make and Model in the vehicle selector to filter this category. Then read the product notes for brake, wheel and ball-joint requirements.

Once the spindles are installed, have the caster, camber and toe set. Swapping spindles disturbs your front-end settings, so the old alignment won't carry over. Tell your alignment shop which spindles you installed, especially if drop spindles changed your ride height.

Our article on caster and camber explains how each angle affects handling and tire wear. Setting the alignment right away helps you avoid the uneven tire wear that misaligned parts cause.

If you set your own alignment at home, our list of DIY front-end alignment tools covers what you'll need. When you know your fitment, shop all control arms, spindles and ball joints now to finish your front-end project.