Granada spindle mods


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By oldcarmark - 16 Years Ago
I picked up a pair of Granada spindles today at the wreckers.They were already off and had been torched off leaving the ends of control arms attached.Have it all disassembled and I see the upper ball joint stud is smaller than the bottom one.Will the existing 56 balljoint stud fit the upper as is?Now I know the lower hole in the spindle has to be modified to fit the 56 lower balljoint.Is it just a different taper angle or does the hole also have to be enlarged?When I got my purchase all apart the only useable items are the spindles and a little attaching hardware for the rotors.What flex hoses(vehicle application) is anybody out there using for this swap?Any input or suggeations regarding this swap appreciated.Thanks!
By paul2748 - 16 Years Ago
The top ball joint of the 56 should be the same size as the Granada spindle. It is the lower hole in the spindle that needs to be enlarged. Check this with the ball joint first. Versailles spindles already have the correct size lower hole everyone says. Double check before doing any mods. You may have to slightly ream out the outer tie rod end holes in the spindle. I did in my 54, a friend of mine with a 56 said he didn't have to. Same taper as the spindle, #7.



Can't help in the hoses - I used the stainless flex hoses on my 54. The friend of mine who did the conversion on a 56 said that the hoses he used were stock, not sure if the Granada or the 56.
By simplyconnected - 16 Years Ago
I got an instruction manual with the purchase of my retrofit.  Brake lines are covered in the manual as well.

As Paul said, the ball joint taper is ~seven degrees.  Most tool shops have reamers for sale.

My '55 Customline turned out real nice with the new spindles and 11" rotors.  My stock 15" wheels fit just fine, but I had the hub nose turned down a bit to match stock (also covered in the manual).

Hope this helps.  - Dave

By GREENBIRD56 - 16 Years Ago
Mark - I've got a '57 upright/spindle laying in my engineering lab that I use as "training device" for rookie mechanical engineers (I make them reverse engineer it).

Both the upper and lower ball joint tapers are 1-1/2 inches per foot (the old school method of describing taper) - which translates to 7.153°. An experienced machinist will know which reaming tool is required.

The opening at the "big" end of the lower taper is .875 diameter. This allows the ball joint "pin" to protrude the correct amount for a full slotted nut with cotter.  

The opening at the "big" end of the upper (small pin size) taper is .688 diameter.