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95 spindles don't line up with shock at all HELP

  • Thread starter Thread starter Kenjey
  • Start date Start date May 11, 2019
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Kenjey

Member
Dec 26, 2018
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May 11, 2019
#1
  • May 11, 2019
  • #1
Front ends aren't really my cup of tea with these cars and I'm stuck in a bit of a pickle if anyone can advise me on this.
I'm in the middle of a 5 lug sn95 brake swap on my foxbody and tried lining up a 94-95 spindle onto the ball joint and found out that the spindle didn't line up with the shock by about an inch on both holes. Would it be safe to just jack up the control arm enough or would this up some sort of geometry issue or with my fitment for when I put the wheels on (i.e. wheel being too far up in the fender because the arm is raised up)?
In addition, I know I need to buy new ball joints as the boot was torn once I got the old spindle off, but I already have the spacer made for the stock ball joints so can anyone advise me on either buying oem replacement ball joints or any fancy sn-95 ball joints? If so, what brand and where to buy them?
 

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Kenjey

Member
Dec 26, 2018
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May 11, 2019
#2
  • May 11, 2019
  • #2
Old spindles had no issues connecting everything together, so are the 95 spindles made with the shock holes lower? Or am I missing something here
 

sigsterrr

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Jan 12, 2019
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May 11, 2019
#3
  • May 11, 2019
  • #3
if you have stock springs, its a pita to jack up. I gave up and bought lowering springs (eibach sportline). Another thing to try is take the spindle out of the shock, jack it up and see if its just raising the shock as you raise the control arm. One of mine did that due the previous owner of the spindles beat on them so I had to grind it down slightly.
 

Rdub6

So while I wait to figure out my rear end issues
5 Year Member
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May 11, 2019
#4
  • May 11, 2019
  • #4
I don’t see it in the pic.... so I’ll ask, have you put a jack under the A arm to compress the spring to where the holes will line up.

I’ve been collecting parts to do this swap (havnt done it yet). But I bought some reasonably priced SN95 ball joints that I will use. I’ll try to find the link from where I got them. I’m pretty sure it was Rock Auto though.
 
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Kenjey

Member
Dec 26, 2018
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May 11, 2019
#5
  • May 11, 2019
  • #5
Rdub6 said:
I don’t see it in the pic.... so I’ll ask, have you put a jack under the A arm to compress the spring to where the holes will line up.

I’ve been collecting parts to do this swap (havnt done it yet). But I bought some reasonably priced SN95 ball joints that I will use. I’ll try to find the link from where I got them. I’m pretty sure it was Rock Auto though.
Click to expand...

No I haven't jacked up the control arm yet and wasn't sure if jacking up the control arm would interfere with future problems hence why I never tried it... the spring hasn't changed a bit and I never lowered the control arm as I kept the sway bar rod connected the entire time.
 
K

Kenjey

Member
Dec 26, 2018
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1
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CA
May 11, 2019
#6
  • May 11, 2019
  • #6
sigsterrr said:
if you have stock springs, its a pita to jack up. I gave up and bought lowering springs (eibach sportline). Another thing to try is take the spindle out of the shock, jack it up and see if its just raising the shock as you raise the control arm. One of mine did that due the previous owner of the spindles beat on them so I had to grind it down slightly.
Click to expand...
I'm a little confused on that, because I need the new spindle to raise an inch higher into the shock for both holes to line up. The stock spindle fits with no issues and me not having to jack the control arm up at all. With the stock springs would they not compress to allow the control arm to raise? I haven't tried jacking up the control arm and I'm scared to do so if it'll lower the car. Never read anything with 94-95 spindle swaps that they lower the car or that it needs lowering springs.
 

Rdub6

So while I wait to figure out my rear end issues
5 Year Member
Dec 29, 2017
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May 11, 2019
#7
  • May 11, 2019
  • #7
Kenjey said:
No I haven't jacked up the control arm yet and wasn't sure if jacking up the control arm would interfere with future problems hence why I never tried it... the spring hasn't changed a bit and I never lowered the control arm as I kept the sway bar rod connected the entire time.
Click to expand...

That end link looks like it’s being pulled pretty good both top and bottom. Not sure it would have had the strength to keep that spring from opening up a bit.
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
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May 11, 2019
#8
  • May 11, 2019
  • #8
Put the jack under the ball joint and jack it up. Done it a million times. It's supposed to have some preload
 
Reactions: Kenjey, General karthief and Shakerhood

Mstng93SSP

You have a nice rear end there Dave.
15 Year Member
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May 12, 2019
#9
  • May 12, 2019
  • #9
Agree 100%. I'm actually surprised that spring hasn't come flying out with nothing under the lower control arm. I do see that the sway bar is still connected but I wouldn't trust that to hold the control arm up. Never unbolt the strut with nothing under the lower control arm.
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,255
17,939
224
Massachusetts
May 12, 2019
#10
  • May 12, 2019
  • #10
Agreed. Only thing keeping that spring from shooting out is the sway bar end link. Get a jack under that asap.
 

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair
20+ Year Stangneter
Aug 25, 2016
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polk county florida
May 12, 2019
#11
  • May 12, 2019
  • #11
Getting killed is grounds for banning from here.
You need to get a repair manual before performing any more work to that car.
 
K

Kenjey

Member
Dec 26, 2018
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May 12, 2019
#12
  • May 12, 2019
  • #12
Mustang5L5 said:
Agreed. Only thing keeping that spring from shooting out is the sway bar end link. Get a jack under that asap.
Click to expand...
I’ll make sure to grab the Jack next time I wind up working on it. I sat the car back on all 4’s with the old spindle but now I’m kinda glad I didn’t keep it up on jack stands after reading your guys’ replies. Once I get time to work on the car I’ll give it another shot with the Jack and hopefully finish the 5 lug conversion.
 
K

Kenjey

Member
Dec 26, 2018
11
1
13
CA
May 12, 2019
#13
  • May 12, 2019
  • #13
General karthief said:
Getting killed is grounds for banning from here.
You need to get a repair manual before performing any more work to that car.
Click to expand...
I’ve got one lying on my desk, I’ll make sure to follow it a whole lot closer from here on out. Didn’t realize how big of a risk I took until now. Yikes.
 
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