CST Long Travel Kits

[SLORunner]

Has anyone had any problems with the new CST uni-ball long travel kits, or heard of any problems from friends? I've seen a couple threads in here about the F-150 version. But what about the Silverado?

[8Link___PBR]

my buddy had the balljoint kit installed on his '01 silverado w/ a fox coilover, for the record he has 35" tires and deavers in the rear w/ rancho 9000s. it handles great, BUT... every single time he takes it out he either breaks hubs or wheel bearings, or both, and they are not cheap to replace. it has to do with the dust cover on the backside of the spindle upright coming off... some on needs to build and sell a 2 inch spindle/hub assembly for the new chevys like camburg does for their new ford kit...

[SLORunner]

I have the uniball long travel kit on the front of my 99 Silverado (Deavers and King by-passes in the back). I just finished taking apart the front end, for the 4th time in 3 months, about 10 minutes ago. When I pulled the passenger side spindle off, the dust cover was just about ready to pop off. I guess thats just one more thing to take care of now. The saddest part of all is that the truck hasnt even seen off road time since the new front end.

[empire231]

I just have the cst 7" kit (not longtravel) on my 2000 sierra, and I had the same issue w/ the dust cover and had to replace the hub assembly twice. but I think thats more of a gm problem...other than that, I haven't heard anything bad about cst.

[ntsqd]

</font><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr />
...the dust cover was just about ready to pop off.

[/ QUOTE ]


What about using one of those expanding rubber plugs sold to be the easy fix for a freeze plug?. If there is one that is close to the right size it would be a low dollar fix. Not high tech, but certainly workable

[jeff]

Some guys are tack welding the dust cover on to prevent this problem. And yes, GM 3-bolt hubs are junk.

Aloha

[michael_loomis]

damn ... i was thinking about converting my s dime to cst silvy lift spindles too . was thinking fullsize rear end with disc's and a locker and silvy hubs all matching wheels ....now i hear the hubs are junk ...crap. you think they would hold up on a light truck like my s10 if i tacked the cover on ?

[matt_helton]

yep, jeff is right again. just about every 99 to present C body that comes through my work with lift spindles has a bad hub or 2. we pretty much assume that everyone that comes in will need new hubs. i have seen the inner covers come off also, but i think the problem is due to some kind of leverage load change that the lift spindle puts on the hub assy. oh well, job security for me i guess. http://www.race-dezert.com/vb3/attachments/old/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[jeff]

I doubt you see the same problem with the 4-bolt HD truck hubs. In my experience I haven't seen as many problems with the HD owners and they usually run a larger tire than the 1/2 ton LD guys do.

One thing on the hubs... when you re-install the stock hubs to a lift spindle it's pretty critical that you don't re-assemble the hub to the steering knuckle using an impact gun or a breaker bar like I've seen some "kids" and shops do. You can easily warp the mounting surface and this can cause failed hubs. It's like installing a cylinder head - follow a torque sequence to prevent warping. Some of the less expensive lift knuckles (aka lift spindles) aren't quite flat (CST machines theirs flat to prevent this) so make sure the hub mounting surface is clean and flat before you reassemble everything. I know of a few guys that have tons of freeway miles and a few trips to Glamis and they are still on their stock hubs. One of them has a set of 315/75R16 BFG projects and so far hasn't had hub related problems - knock on wood. I also know one kid that got about 5000 miles out of his last set of hubs and is going on his third replacement set. There is a lot to say for taking the time to put these trucks together right the first time.

What's the GM factory recommended assembly steps for the hub and knuckle?

Aloha

[Mintychip]

Has anyone tried putting silverado or HD lift spindles on a s10? I'm converting my s10 to coilovers and wouldn't mind a beefier spindle than my fabtech.

[matt_helton]

jeff, the knuckle assy is obvoiusly the reverse order of dis-assy. as far as the torque specs on the knuckle......upper ball joint is 37lbft, lower ball joint is 74lbft, outter tie rod is 37lbft, the brake hose retainer bracket is 80lbin.


for the hub assy, technically when a hub is replaced so should the 3 mounting bolts. that have thread lock allready on them and should come with the hub assy. the overall tightening spec is 133lbft. however you should take all 3 bolts to 70 lbft first them to 133lbft. the sequence isnt that key since the bolts are in a triangle shape. on the 4 bolt hubs thats different, you need to use a cross pattern. its also important that the hub/knuckle mating surface is entirely clean of corrosion or debris to ensure a flush fit.

about mintychips idea of the HD spindle on an S-10. sounds tough to me unless you wanted to convert all your wheels and axles to 8 lug and be limited to a 16in wheel at the smallest.

[michael_loomis]

matt ... thats kinda what i meant in my post ... except not HD spindles just the regular CST 4" tigged spindle.

what is the approximate cost of the bearing/hub assembly?

[Mintychip]

I forgot about the 8 lugs. Has anyone done the cst 4" spindle on an s10 before? I really want to ditch the cast iron and get something more solid. Thanks.

[matt_helton]

a half ton 3 bolt hub for a 99 to 04 C body retails for about $270 plus tax, i can get one for about $150 plus tax.

pretty expensive when you consider how crappy they are and the fact that they are hecho en mexico.