If anyone has a 1965-67 steering knuckle around, I would like to know the dimension from the bottom of the lower ball joint boss to the centerline of the spindle. Actually, even a 63-64 steering knuckle should do as I believe the dimension is the same.
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In Appreciation of John Hinckley -
Re: 1965-67 Steering Knuckle
Hi Joe,
I have a 67 spindle to measure, but am unsure how to do so accurately. I started to lay a straight edge on the lower ball joint boss and measure up to the spindle centerline when I noticed the lower ball joint boss is not parallel to the spindle. Let me know how you would suggest taking the needed measurement and I'll do so.
Daniel -
Re: 1965-67 Steering Knuckle
Daniel-------
Thanks. Yes, that's a problem I sort of anticipated. However, as long as we both use the same measurement methodologies the results will be what I need. It's the relative difference that's important here rather than the exact GM specified dimension. I'm going to try to dig out one of my NOS 1969-82 steering knuckles and devise a measurement scheme. Then, I'll post photos for you to duplicate. I'll try to do this later today.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: 1965-67 Steering Knuckle
I'm looking forward to seeing what you come up with. I can measure my 69 and up spindles if needed. I have them assembled but not on the car at this point.Comment
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Re: 1965-67 Steering Knuckle
I went out to the workshop and measured 4 and 7/8 inches from the bottom of the lower ball joint to the center of the centered drilled hole which I believe is the same as the spindle. I put a drill in the center drilled hole and used a square on the lower ball joint boss. This is a 1969 and up spindle with the 1/2 inch steering arm holes and the larger bearings. Interested to see what the c2 measurement dimension is..Comment
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Re: 1965-67 Steering Knuckle
Patrick------
Yes, the tapered hole on the rear of the spindle is the machining center for the spindle. So, it's exactly the same as the centerline of the spindle. The center of the tapered hole is exactly what I was going to use as the spindle center. Could you provide a photo or a diagram of how you measured from this point? I don't understand exactly how you used the square on the lower ball joint boss and how that relates to the centerline of the spindle..In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: 1965-67 Steering Knuckle
Joe, I have access to the knuckles on the '67 I have here, however they're assembled to the chassis. It's on a lift so I can get at it easily. I also have a set of the '79-up knuckles, which were on this '67 and I took them off of the car.
BTW, thanks to your great knowledge, research and your posts in the archives I was able to identify the "wrong" (later C3 usage) parts that were on this '67 and you and others helped me identify the correct parts to get, which I ultimately did. Thanks again for that.
Yesterday when I saw your request I tried to see if I could get a measurement. I was checking from the (lower) center of the lower ball joint boss to the hole in the backside of the spindle. But I needed some extra hands to hold straightedges, etc, and being a tricky process, but no extra hands were around. I'll try to do it again today for you as a additional baseline for your data.
The lower ball joint boss is at a slight angle as mentioned. This may make it a bit difficult to measure due to the slight angle of that lower boss and the 90* angle of the shaft at the face of the spindle.
Here are some photos of the various parts for now. Not really helpful for your request but feel free to use any of them for reference if you'd like. Later I'll also try to get some numbers for you.
Rich
1965-1967
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Re: 1965-67 Steering Knuckle
Joe,
It looks like 5.08 inches (give or take a few hundredths) from the lower machined surface and the centerline of the spindle.
IMG_1304a.jpg
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Process for measuring is:
- 21/64th drill bit placed in the machining center of the spindle.
- the spindle clamped vertically on the lower machined ball joint surface (the spindle had to be placed partially off the edge of the drill press surface to ensure it was only resting on the machined surface)
- a combination square (measuring in 100th on an inch) was then placed on the drill press surface adjacent to the lower spindle casting
I hope this helps. Let me know if I can improve on this measurement.
Thanks
DanielComment
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Re: 1965-67 Steering Knuckle
Daniel------
PERFECT! That's exactly how I was going to suggest that the measurement be taken. I'll do the same with the 69-82 spindle.
Also, one more measurement if you could: please measure the dimension between the inner surfaces of the ball joint bosses. This should be the same for all 63-82 steering knuckles but it would be good to confirm that.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: 1965-67 Steering Knuckle
Joe,
The distance between the inner machined ball joint bosses appears to be 9 13/16 inchesComment
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Re: 1965-67 Steering Knuckle
Daniel, Rich, et all---------
Well, I've measured an NOS 69-82 steering knuckle exactly as Daniel did the 1967.
I get 4.88" for the dimension for which Daniel got 5.08" for the 1967 steering knuckle. So, it looks like there's 0.20" difference which would result in the 69-82 spindle producing a slightly lower ride height.
I get just about the same 9-13/16" dimension between the ball joint bosses.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: 1965-67 Steering Knuckle
Joe,
Currently sitting on boxes of prints I have not looked at in years. Did find Layout prints for the 1969-72 Corvette, front and rear. Give me the part # or #'s you are interested in, may not have what you are looking for but willing to look.Comment
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Re: 1965-67 Steering Knuckle
Joe,
I was curious about the .20" dimensional difference from the 67 steering knuckle and that for a 69-82, so I did some additional measuring of the machined ball joint bosses. I measured two from the same 67 and found the distance between the ball joint bosses to be the same as posted earlier ~ 9-13/16", but the thickness of each boss varied. This variance affects the overall measurement from outer top boss to outer bottom boss, making my technique for measuring the dimension from lower ball joint boss to centerline flawed.
Using a set of micrometers,
Top boss of 1st steering knuckle: .798
Top boss of 2nd steering knuckle: .767
Bottom boss of 1st steering knuckle: .920
Bottom boss of 2nd steering knuckle: .894
I guess .031" and .026" was within GM specifications since both steering knuckles were installed
DanielComment
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