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turning merc spindles/uprights upside down to lower??

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by HomemadeHardtop57, Feb 8, 2011.

  1. HomemadeHardtop57
    Joined: Nov 15, 2007
    Posts: 4,340

    HomemadeHardtop57
    Member

    Hey guys,
    I did a search on this last night and found some threads but nothing really too clear.

    My friend Clancy told me that you can turn the front spindles on a Merc upside down to lower it. He was wondering what exactly needs to be done to make this happen. Specifically..what to cut or weld if needed. I believe he would like to do this in conjuction with airbags up front.

    If any of you have done this can you please post up how you did it and the steps needed.

    Thank you in advance
    Jerry
     
    Last edited: Feb 8, 2011
  2. 53sled
    Joined: Jul 5, 2005
    Posts: 5,817

    53sled
    Member
    from KCMO

    better luck if you call them uprights. I've also heard of switching left to right and flipping being done. No experience myself.
     
  3. Atwater Mike
    Joined: May 31, 2002
    Posts: 11,618

    Atwater Mike
    Member

    An old friend tried this in '80, the camber was like 5 degrees negative!
    (the uprights had King Pin Inclination, naturally...) I didn't have a part in doing it, I just saw it afterward.

    I had also heard of this being done, it had been said that it worked...

    Anyone ever actually do it themselves? Inquiring minds want to know.
     
  4. Yes you can put them on upside down. It won't drive for Squat once done. That story has been around since 1949. Just look at the parts and think about it. There is a reason for every angle and mount point being what and where they are. But you won't be happy till you try it.
    The Wizzard
     
  5. I flipped my spindle uprights when I first built my Merc. I had to drop the steering arms to put the tie rods on the same plane as the lower control arm. Also had to shim the upper control arm because the camber was to much positive. I drove it that way for a long time. My current frame has a 74 Nova subframe. That, I think, works better. I hope this helps.
     
  6. The Nova clip is hands down the best choice I've found. My Merc has one as well as my 51 Ford. They actually drive like a real car should and parts are Cheep.
    The Wizzard
     
  7. Jim Dieter
    Joined: Jun 27, 2008
    Posts: 387

    Jim Dieter
    Member
    from Joliet

    I did it a couple months ago to my 51. Flipped and swapped the uprights side to side. I bent the inclination back into the upright with a torch and a bar, also added some caster by bending it slightly forward as well. Heated and bent the steering arms to fix the bump steer. I got it really close before I adjusted it on the cams. I dont know if this is the best way, but it works and was free...
     
  8. Johnny Gee
    Joined: Dec 3, 2009
    Posts: 14,398

    Johnny Gee
    Member
    from Downey, Ca

    As stated already. Flipping any spindle over will not work because of camber that is built into them. Not sayn that this can not be delt with. What started out to be cheap and easy went out the window.
     
  9. seb fontana
    Joined: Sep 1, 2005
    Posts: 9,203

    seb fontana
    Member
    from ct

    The spindle is not flipped, the links are..As stated when done some heat is required to bend the links to bring camber and steering arms back to position..
     
  10. Johnny Gee
    Joined: Dec 3, 2009
    Posts: 14,398

    Johnny Gee
    Member
    from Downey, Ca

    My bad, the line below is what sent me off course.

     
  11. slddnmatt
    Joined: Mar 30, 2006
    Posts: 3,685

    slddnmatt
    Member

    its a pain in the *** to do it right, just save up your money and buy some dropped uprights. i did it awhile back on my ladies merc just to see what was involved and i wouldn't do it again.
     
  12. HomemadeHardtop57
    Joined: Nov 15, 2007
    Posts: 4,340

    HomemadeHardtop57
    Member


    yeah..i'm going to tell him that this is the way to go
     

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