I'm using a Hotchkis front suspension on my '70 -- their A-arms, springs, tie-rod sleeves. I'm using the 78-up B-body spindles. I'm using otherwise stock GM 12" disc brakes. The only parts I got from the junkyard were the spindles themselves.
The Hotchkis upper A-arm should come with the correct ball joint installed. The lower balljoint needs to match the spindle application (in my case, 78-up B-body). But, this ball joint is too big to mount in a stock Chevelle lower control arm. You can either get the lower balljoint machined down at your local machine shop, or you can order a pre-machined unit from Hotchkis. I chose the latter. I had my local shop install them when I had my a-arm bushings installed. I believe my total bill was $57 for 4 lower control arm bushings and 2 ball joints. I have a complete parts list for doing this conversion if you'd like -- rotors, calipers, bolts, bearings, seals, hoses, backing plates(dust shields), etc. It's all parts-store stuff, except for the backing plates -- dealer part. The braking ability of the 12" brakes on an A-body is outstanding. And the handling improvement is equally huge. Let me know if I can help.. -Dave -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Graham Wooden Sent: Sunday, November 14, 2004 1:50 PM To: The Chevelle Mailing List Subject: [Chevelle-list] Quick question - regarding Hotchkis A-arms andbrake conversion Bah, I was told (from a friend) that I *could* use the stock spindles with the Hotchkis arms (using Chevelle upper ball joints) - so I jumped the gun and got the 67-72 A Body Wilwood kit. But now I don't think that's a good idea. I just mounted the spindle and it does not want to swivel around Plus, according to Hotchkis's website it states not to use the stock spindles. CRAP. Lack of judgment and research just kicked me in the butt I think. So, now I am back to *almost* square one with my brake conversion. I want to use a kit because I don't have time to search through salvage yards - but which one do I get? Hotchkis recommends the following spindles to be used: 70-76 F-Body 78+ B-Body So, if I go with 70-76 F Body spindles - do I get the Wilwood kit to match a 70's Camaro? I know I probably have asked this before, and I do apologize - but I have to ask again; is anyone using the Hotchkis Arms and if so, what brake kit are you using? Thanks in advance. -Graham
