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Old 01-30-2015, 12:54 PM   #1
gasmn1620
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DJM, or any 3" spindles questions

Do anybody have 3" drop spindles on their truck, even 2 inch, DJM specifically. If so could you post some pics of them on with your wheel off. I have 1.25 rotors, so the heavy duty brakes. I can't get the caliper to go on correctly. I took the first set back because I thought they had been boxed wrong but they look the same as the new set. I'm stumped. Everything else lined up perfect and bolted in correctly.



This is the only difference I can see in the stock vs. drop spindles. Everything else measures out the same.
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Old 01-30-2015, 12:59 PM   #2
MikeB
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Re: DJM, or any 3" spindles questions

Got this from the DJM website:

You will have either a 1″ or 1.25″ rotor. If you have a 1″ use the kit with the L in the part number (above) or if you have a 1.25″ rotor use the kit with the H in the part number.

Your have the "H" kit right?
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1969 C10 LWB -- owned for 34 years. 350/TH350, 3.08 posi, 1st Gen Vintage Air, AAW wiring harness, 5-lug conversion, 1985 spindles and brakes.
1982 C10 SWB -- sold
1981 C10 Silverado LWB -- sold, but wish I still had it!
1969 C10 (not the current one) that I bought in the early 1980s. Paid $1200; sold for $1500 a few years later. Just a hint at the appreciation that was coming.
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Old 01-30-2015, 02:09 PM   #3
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Re: DJM, or any 3" spindles questions

The brake lines have to be bent down to get calipers on. mine were cheap cts had to giind tab off caliper to get them on. have yo tryed them up on bench wouldnt be brake lines
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Old 01-30-2015, 02:52 PM   #4
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Re: DJM, or any 3" spindles questions

Yes. I have the h kit and the 1.25 brakes, thought I made that clear. Brake lines don't matter. When I tried to bolt the caliper up it wouldn't bolt up and go over the rotor. I'll get some more pics tomorrow.
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Old 01-30-2015, 03:16 PM   #5
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Re: DJM, or any 3" spindles questions

Have you tried DJM; send them the picture you posted.
My first inclination is to say they are mis-packaged spindles for 1" brakes, but if this is your second set, that seems unlikely, but maybe they mis-packaged a lot of them?
Is the part # cast into the spindle with the L or H?
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Old 01-30-2015, 06:04 PM   #6
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Re: DJM, or any 3" spindles questions

Just got off the phone with them. They told me the casting number in the spindle means nothing and that the only difference is the size of the axle shaft.
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Old 01-31-2015, 04:15 PM   #7
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Re: DJM, or any 3" spindles questions

Anybody with any pics?
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Old 01-31-2015, 04:43 PM   #8
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Re: DJM, or any 3" spindles questions

with new disc new pads even with pistons pushed all the way in it can still be close. Or a little snug.
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Old 01-31-2015, 04:48 PM   #9
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Re: DJM, or any 3" spindles questions

Wasn't just close or a little snug... we're talking an inch or more off.
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Old 01-31-2015, 05:01 PM   #10
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Re: DJM, or any 3" spindles questions

Wow!
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Old 01-31-2015, 08:05 PM   #11
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Re: DJM, or any 3" spindles questions

Quote:
Originally Posted by gasmn1620 View Post
Just got off the phone with them. They told me the casting number in the spindle means nothing and that the only difference is the size of the axle shaft.
Hmm. I know for a fact that the standard duty brakes from 1-2 years in the mid-80s used a totally different spindle, rotor, AND caliper. No way would the HD calipers work on those spindles. I went through this with two parts stores many years ago when installing 1986 spindles on a 1969 pickup. I finally found a counter guy who figured out what I had. He had to order the calipers and rotors for me, and said he could not remember selling them before.

Found this from my notes back then:

Standard duty brakes were called JB1 or JB3 and had 1.04" thick rotors
Trucks with these brakes also had 2" wide rear brake shoes, and that will sometimes be a part of the disc brake parts description.

HD brakes were called JB5, JD3, or JD5 and had 1.23" thick rotors
These were used with 2-3/4" wide rear brake shoes.

Spindles, calipers and rotors for the two types of brake systems are different!

Pads are the same


Hope this helps.
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1982 C10 SWB -- sold
1981 C10 Silverado LWB -- sold, but wish I still had it!
1969 C10 (not the current one) that I bought in the early 1980s. Paid $1200; sold for $1500 a few years later. Just a hint at the appreciation that was coming.
Retired as a factory automation products salesman.
Worked part-time over the years for an engine builder and a classic car repair shop.
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Last edited by MikeB; 01-31-2015 at 08:48 PM.
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Old 01-31-2015, 10:15 PM   #12
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Re: DJM, or any 3" spindles questions

Looks to me the rotor is not on the spindle all the way. Is the bearing going all the way down? Is the seal too small and not allowing the rotor on?
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Old 02-01-2015, 12:11 PM   #13
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Re: DJM, or any 3" spindles questions

It's on all the way..... and no.
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Old 02-01-2015, 12:21 PM   #14
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Re: DJM, or any 3" spindles questions

I'll concede that I don't know anything about these particular spindles. But I think your picture shows it all; the casting is wrong. It's clear that the wider caliper used by the 1-1/4 rotors is not going to fit properly.
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Old 02-01-2015, 12:34 PM   #15
MikeB
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Re: DJM, or any 3" spindles questions

I'm new to square bodies, but the more I look, the more I think something is wrong with the new spindles. If the new rotor is 1.25" thick, that tells me the actual machined steel "spindle" itself is designed for the 1.25" rotor and its bearings. However, I'd almost bet the cast iron part of the spindle (steering knuckle) is made to fit the std duty calipers, which won't fit on the 1.25" rotors.

I suggest taking the DJM spindle to the parts store to see if a std duty caliper will fit. If it does, that would mean DJM accidentally built you a hyrbid spindle.

Of course, I could be way out in left field here!
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1969 C10 LWB -- owned for 34 years. 350/TH350, 3.08 posi, 1st Gen Vintage Air, AAW wiring harness, 5-lug conversion, 1985 spindles and brakes.
1982 C10 SWB -- sold
1981 C10 Silverado LWB -- sold, but wish I still had it!
1969 C10 (not the current one) that I bought in the early 1980s. Paid $1200; sold for $1500 a few years later. Just a hint at the appreciation that was coming.
Retired as a factory automation products salesman.
Worked part-time over the years for an engine builder and a classic car repair shop.
Member here for 23 years! This is the very first car/truck Internet forum I joined. I still used a dial-up modem back then!
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Old 02-02-2015, 10:11 AM   #16
gasmn1620
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Re: DJM, or any 3" spindles questions

again.... does anybody have a picture of there drop spindles installed with 1.25 rotors? That would sure answer a lot of questions for me
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Old 02-02-2015, 10:44 AM   #17
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Re: DJM, or any 3" spindles questions

My trucks all have Bell Tech lowered spindles on them and I did not have any issues with the fitment that you have pictured on yours. I have the 1.25 rotors on my trucks, also.
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Old 02-02-2015, 06:11 PM   #18
gasmn1620
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Re: DJM, or any 3" spindles questions

I compared the belltechs right beside the DJMs on the counter at Summit and they were identical. Can you post some pics of your belltech spindles. How the calipers are bolted on... etc. Any help would be appreciated. Can you take a pic of how the rotor sits against the tab that I pictured above?
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Old 02-02-2015, 11:22 PM   #19
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Re: DJM, or any 3" spindles questions

I will probably have mine apart this weekend if noone else comes through with a pic by then. Have you tried taking the assembly to the auto parts store and seeing if a new caliper bolts up - just thinking that maybe someone changed your caliper or spindle down the line somewhere.
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Old 02-02-2015, 11:29 PM   #20
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Re: DJM, or any 3" spindles questions

I found this picture from when I painted my spindles and they definitely look like the lowering spindles you have. Mine are the 1.25" rotors as well. I think someone swapped out your spindles/calipers at some time.

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Old 02-03-2015, 12:19 AM   #21
gasmn1620
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Re: DJM, or any 3" spindles questions

My truck is a silverado, came with 1.25 brakes ( HD brakes). All my stock stuff measures out as it should. What model are your spindles?
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Old 02-03-2015, 12:21 AM   #22
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Re: DJM, or any 3" spindles questions

Do you remember what size your inner bearings are?
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Old 02-03-2015, 12:56 AM   #23
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Re: DJM, or any 3" spindles questions

Quote:
Originally Posted by gasmn1620 View Post
Do you remember what size your inner bearings are?
What number are your new inner bearings? Are they the same as the old ones? Looks like it should be A5 or BR5 (1.375" ID) for HD brakes, and A6 or BR6 (1.250" ID) for std duty. However, I don't know if the smaller bearing will even start to go on the larger spindle.

I may have missed this, but are you able to bolt the HD calipers on the drop spindle with the rotor removed?
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1969 C10 LWB -- owned for 34 years. 350/TH350, 3.08 posi, 1st Gen Vintage Air, AAW wiring harness, 5-lug conversion, 1985 spindles and brakes.
1982 C10 SWB -- sold
1981 C10 Silverado LWB -- sold, but wish I still had it!
1969 C10 (not the current one) that I bought in the early 1980s. Paid $1200; sold for $1500 a few years later. Just a hint at the appreciation that was coming.
Retired as a factory automation products salesman.
Worked part-time over the years for an engine builder and a classic car repair shop.
Member here for 23 years! This is the very first car/truck Internet forum I joined. I still used a dial-up modem back then!
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Old 02-03-2015, 10:42 AM   #24
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Re: DJM, or any 3" spindles questions

The spindles in the picture are from Spindle Source, but I have used Belltech and DJM in the past (haven't noticed a difference on the square body trucks except for price). The Suburban uses the same spindles as the C-10's. I don't remember the part number on the bearings, but they were Timken from Oreilly's and went right on. I know this has already been mentioned but the brake line will keep the caliper from slipping over if they aren't bent away first. I'll dig my stock spindles out and see how they compare to your measurements.
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Old 02-03-2015, 10:47 AM   #25
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Re: DJM, or any 3" spindles questions

I just measured my stock spindles and they are like yours - 2 1/4".
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