Mark VII Spindles and Brakes

March 22, 2012, 02:42:30 AM

I hope you guys don't mind if I run this by you, a search didn't pull up anything useful. I have a set of Mark VII spindles, rotors, calipers, etc. that I want to put on my Thunderbird. Now according to Coolcat's tech page http://www.coolcats.net/modifying/11inchbrake.html "The 1984-92 Lincoln Mark VII spindle will fit but requires modification of the ball joint attachment hole—avoid it."

So after a little digging, I guess the Mark VII used a ball joint with a different taper on the shaft that the spindle sat on. So could I use new Mark VII ball joints in my T-Bird control arms(A-arms)? That seems like the ideal solution to me, unless the entire ball joint is a different size, and therefore wouldn't be able to be pressed into the control arm. If that doesn't work, could I use the Mark VII control arms on my Thunderbird? I'd assume they'll bolt up fine, the Mark is a fox chassis car after all. I have a few concerns with that though; are the Mark control arms longer? Would longer control arms cause problems? And is it possible to use coils with the Mark VII control arms? Using the air coil system is out of the question.

Thanks.

Mark VII Spindles and Brakes

Reply #1 – March 22, 2012, 04:57:50 PM

Spindle adapter here:

http://www.maximummotorsports.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2_84&products_id=444

This allows you to use the Mark VII spindle on the Mustang or T-Bird ball joint. As for the front control arms they are dimensionally the same as the SVO Mustang control arms but the spring perch is different due to the air ride suspension. Anyhow that is what I have read on the Lincoln forums. I would just keep your lower control arms and use the bushings or get 87-93 Mustang GT spindles or the 87-88 TC spindles.

Darren

Mark VII Spindles and Brakes

Reply #2 – March 23, 2012, 02:47:28 AM

Cool, thanks Darren. Those adapters are probably cheaper than finding new spindles.