Problem Swapping to LBP on A-Body

[71Demon340]

I bought a front disc brake kit off ebay that was advertised for an e-body to do the LBP swap on my 71 a-body. I already had the large ball joint upper control arms. The kit is nice and came with everything I needed. I think its made by Classic Performance Parts. Problem is that the spindles were not tapped for mounting the lower ball joint/steering arm, like on my other spindles. So I looked thru my shop manual and saw a picture that had bolts and nuts attaching the steering arm. Mine originally just had a bolt that threaded into the spindle. Problem is that the end of the nut/bolt hits the sway bar end link mount on the LCA and keeps the wheel from turning all the way. Anyone run into this before? I went ahead and cut back part of the end link mount so that the wheel can turn more, but I know now that I have weakened the mount. There is a gap where the end link mount is welded to the LCA. I'm thinking about welding it up to increase stregth. Any comments?

 

[RedFish]

Can you turn the bolt around so nut is on rotor side ? Might just need to shorten the bolt (hacksaw).

 

[redfastback]

can you post pics? is there a hole that just needs to be tapped?

 

[smokn440]

we ran into this putting front discs,,,,,,had 2 different length sway bar bolts and spacers,,,so we put in the longer set,,,worked perfect

 

[71Demon340]

Can you turn the bolt around so nut is on rotor side ? Might just need to shorten the bolt (hacksaw).

Can't turn around, not enough clearance inside rotor.

 

[71Demon340]

can you post pics? is there a hole that just needs to be tapped?

I could tap the hole in the spindle, but then I would have to drill/machine the holes in the ball joint arm for a bigger bolt. I'll try to post pics later.

 

[RedFish]

or tap the hole in the ball joint and drill the hole in the spindle larger.

 

[SilverFish]

Sounds to me like they used drum brake spindles for their kit. Drum brake spindles have through holes for a bolt and a nut, which you discovered in your shop manual. Perfectly normal (but annoying).