Howe Precision Ball Joints For Superformance

[Shootnride]

Originally Posted by vatdevil

Update on the Howe ball joints....2 years, 6K miles, and countless Autox runs....no issues. Removed them today to install Wilwood Mustang II spindle/hub. Never needed to add grease or reset lash. I will be replacing the top studs for a shorter length, as the Wildwood spindle is a 1/2 inch taller than stock SPF spindle.

Vatdevil,

Just curious if you are using the Wilwood dropped spindles. I recently attempted to install the dropped spindles on my car but was not able to use them due to dimensional differences that made them un-compatible with my hub/rotor assembly. I even tried the Heidt's dropped spindles with similar results. Finally gave up and sent the spindles back. I suspect that with my vintage SPF I would have to change out the entire brake hub and rotor assembly to the newer Wilwood components in order to use the dropped spindles. I did install the Howe 22320 ball joints and they certainly made a difference in steering effort. However, I'm still not convinced that the 22320 ball joint is the correct unit for my car. The taper is correct, but protrudes through the control arm about 3/16" too far. I machined some counterbored spacers to resolve this issue, but I suspect that a better taper length could be ordered from Howe that would eliminate the need for the spacers.

Ted

[Mark IV]

Originally Posted by Shootnride

Vatdevil,

Just curious if you are using the Wilwood dropped spindles. I recently attempted to install the dropped spindles on my car but was not able to use them due to dimensional differences that made them un-compatible with my hub/rotor assembly. I even tried the Heidt's dropped spindles with similar results. Finally gave up and sent the spindles back. I suspect that with my vintage SPF I would have to change out the entire brake hub and rotor assembly to the newer Wilwood components in order to use the dropped spindles. I did install the Howe 22320 ball joints and they certainly made a difference in steering effort. However, I'm still not convinced that the 22320 ball joint is the correct unit for my car. The taper is correct, but protrudes through the control arm about 3/16" too far. I machined some counterbored spacers to resolve this issue, but I suspect that a better taper length could be ordered from Howe that would eliminate the need for the spacers.

Ted

I have some "take-off" SPF spindle/hub/rotor/caliper setups available if you are interested as well as just rotor/hub/caliper setups.

[Shootnride]

Originally Posted by Mark IV

I have some "take-off" SPF spindle/hub/rotor/caliper setups available if you are interested as well as just rotor/hub/caliper setups.

Mark IV,

Thanks for the offer. A month ago I may have taken you up on that, but I've got everything back together now and I've got the ride height pretty much where I want it. I checked my front roll-center and it is within recommended specs, so at this point I think I'll leave well-enough alone.

Ted

[vatdevil]

Originally Posted by Shootnride

Vatdevil,

Just curious if you are using the Wilwood dropped spindles. I recently attempted to install the dropped spindles on my car but was not able to use them due to dimensional differences that made them un-compatible with my hub/rotor assembly. I even tried the Heidt's dropped spindles with similar results. Finally gave up and sent the spindles back. I suspect that with my vintage SPF I would have to change out the entire brake hub and rotor assembly to the newer Wilwood components in order to use the dropped spindles. I did install the Howe 22320 ball joints and they certainly made a difference in steering effort. However, I'm still not convinced that the 22320 ball joint is the correct unit for my car. The taper is correct, but protrudes through the control arm about 3/16" too far. I machined some counterbored spacers to resolve this issue, but I suspect that a better taper length could be ordered from Howe that would eliminate the need for the spacers.

Ted

Correct on the hubs/brakes, stock ones won't adapt to the Wildwood spindle. I'm installing with Wildwood hubs/ 6 piston calipers with stock height Wildwood spindle. They fit, as another SPF owner did the same installation. The ball joint bore on bottom of the Wildwood spindle is slightly larger than the top. Not sure if the stock SPF is the same, have to measure. The tapers are correct on Wilwood spindle, to fit the Howe 22320. Verified compatability with Howe. I may need to install spacers as you did.

[vatdevil]

Originally Posted by Shootnride

Vatdevil,

Just curious if you are using the Wilwood dropped spindles. I recently attempted to install the dropped spindles on my car but was not able to use them due to dimensional differences that made them un-compatible with my hub/rotor assembly. I even tried the Heidt's dropped spindles with similar results. Finally gave up and sent the spindles back. I suspect that with my vintage SPF I would have to change out the entire brake hub and rotor assembly to the newer Wilwood components in order to use the dropped spindles. I did install the Howe 22320 ball joints and they certainly made a difference in steering effort. However, I'm still not convinced that the 22320 ball joint is the correct unit for my car. The taper is correct, but protrudes through the control arm about 3/16" too far. I machined some counterbored spacers to resolve this issue, but I suspect that a better taper length could be ordered from Howe that would eliminate the need for the spacers.

Ted

Originally Posted by Mark IV

I have some "take-off" SPF spindle/hub/rotor/caliper setups available if you are interested as well as just rotor/hub/caliper setups.

Can you access control arm bushings from SPF? I would want the front upper and lower.