INSTALLATION OF HOTCHKIS PERFORMANCE TUBULAR UPPER A-ARMS
1/99
#1101 &1103
The instructions below apply only to those cars that are conv erting to
larger disc brakes with taller spindles.
PART # 1101 & 1103 ARE
NOT DESIGNED TO WORK WITH STOCK (STANDARD)
“A” OR “G” BODY SPINDLES.
This is a job for expert mechanics. If you have any questions about front-end work,
please consult the appropriate GM service manual or call Hotchkis Performance.
PLEASE READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY
BEFORE YOU BEGIN.
Thank you for purchasing Hotchkis Performance products.
1) Raise the front of the vehicle to an adequate working height and support the car securely
on jack stands. Remove the front wheels. Work on one side of the car at a time.
2) Remove the front shocks.
3) Remove the cotter pin and nut securing the outer tie-rod ends to the steering arm and
separate the two. Disconnect the flexible brake line from the caliper. Remove the cotter
pins securing the upper and lower ball-joint nuts and loosen the nuts a few turns but leave
the nuts on the threads of the ball-joints. Separate the two ball-joints from the spindle
(using a separating tool, pickle fork, etc.) until the spring pressure snaps down against the
nuts. With a jack, support the lower A-arm until it is loaded enough to release all pressure
against the ball joint nuts, then remove the upper nut and pivot the upper A-arm out of the
way. Remove the lower ball joint nut and remove the entire knuckle assembly (spindle,
rotor, caliper, etc.)
4) Remove the two nuts that hold the upper A-arm crossshaft to the frame of the car (Note:
keep track of the number of alignment shims and their locations as they will be
replaced in the same manner for a rough initial alignment setting). Remove the upper
A-arm from the vehicle.
5) Carefully lower the floor jack under the lower A-Arm to remove the front springs.
(CAUTION! The stock front springs are very long and may need to be compressed
to remove them.)
FIG. 1
Machine at the
FIG. 3
Front of Vehicle
6) After removing the front springs, remove the stock rubber droop stop on the frame rail
and install the new poly stop. See Fig. 1
IMPORTANT INFO FOR PART # 1103 (64-72 A-BODY CARS)
For 64-72 A-Body cars, you must use the lower ball joint for the spindle you are going to
use. (For example if you are using a 72 Camaro spindle you must use a new lower ball joint
from the same car. Please look at the parts list for applications.) The new ball joint will need
to be turned down to 2.010” so that it will fit in the stock A-Body lower A-Arm. You can
also purchase an already turned down ball joint from Hotchkis Performance part # 1155. See
Fig. 2
FIG.2
“X”s onl y.
7) Reinstall the lower A-Arm with the new modified lower ball joint on the car.
NOTE: Hotchkis Performance upper A-Arms are designed to operate on cars with a
slightly lowered ride height, we suggest using Hotchkis Performance front performance
springs part # 1901F for 64-72 A-Body cars and part # 1902F for 78-88 A-Body cars.
8) Install Hotchkis Performance A-arm (short leg towards the front of the car) See Fig. 3,
reinstalling the original alignment shims in the same locations and torque the two nuts to
45 ft./lbs. The crosshafts in the A-arms are offset positive or negative, depending which
way that the shaft is rotated. This allows a grater range of camber adjustment. The preassembled A-arms are preset for maximum negative camber. If the proper alignment
cannot be obtained rotate the crosshaft 180 degrees.
9) Check all ball joint and tie rod boots and replace if necessary. Install the new spindle
assembly. Place ball joint ends into the spindle and install the nuts. Torque upper nut to
60 ft./lbs. & the lower to 80 ft./lbs. Making sure to align the cotter pin holes with the
nuts. Reinstall outer tie rod end into the steering arm, torque nut to 35 ft./lbs. Install
NEW cotter pins in all locations; never reuse old cotter pins.
10) Assemble the brake rotor, bearings, calipers, etc. as required. Install new flexible brake
line. (This is a good time to replace old brake lines) Repeat steps 3 through 9 for the other
side of the vehicle.
11) Change the master cylinder, booster, and proportioning valve (if your application requires
it)(It is required on drum brake cars). Bleed the brake system. Check the flexible brake
lines for binding or kinking throughout steering travel. Check for any brake fluid leaks.
Reinstall the wheel and torque to proper specification.
12) Adjust the toe in to near straight ahead to drive it to the alignment shop and have the car
aligned to the following specifications:
Camber: 0 degrees
Caster: + 4.0 degrees (left side), + 4.5 degrees (right side)
Toe In: 1/16 inch total
A-ARM INSTALLATION NOTES
1978 TO 1988 A/G BODY CARS:
The master cylinder must be changed to one with a 1.125” bore. The optimum set-up
is to use the master cylinder and proportioning valve that matches the new calipers. The
master cylinder from a 1970 to 1981 Camaro or a 1978 to 1996 Caprice will bolt to the stock
power booster without modification. On some cars you may have to reverse the brake lines at
the master cylinder. The hex on both lines is the same, but the thread size is different and the
lines will only go one way.
On Buick turbo cars the electric power booster will have to be changed to a vacuum
type booster, the brake pedal will also have to be changed (see parts list). Install a 3/8-inch
“T” fitting in the rubber hose to the PCV valve and run a vacuum line to the check valve at
the booster. Do not cut wiring to the original booster, tape the plug securely and leave in the
car.
1982 TO 1993 S-10 2WD:
Same as A/G, but hard lines between master cylinder and proportioning valve must be
reversed. You will need to fabricate new lines to do this.
1964 TO 1972 A BODY CARS:
If converting from drum brakes use the master cylinder; booster and proportioning
valve from a 1967 to 1972 disc brake A body car.
Turn base of lower ball joints to 2.010” See Fig 2 (see parts list) or you can purchase the
already turned down ball joint from Hotchkis Performance part # 1155
IMPORTANT!!! REMOVE BRAKE LINE MOUNT ON FRAME AND REPOSITION
APPROXIMATELY ¾ INCH LOWER TO PREVENT BRAKE LINE INTERFERING
WITH SUSPENSION TRAVEL. MAKE SURE THERE IS ADEQUATE
CLEARANCE BEFORE DRIVING THE CAR.
Hotchkis Performance LLC
Return Policy & Limited Warra nty
Effective December 1, 2010 all Hotchkis products must be registered to qualify for
warranty at
product, within 30 days of the original purchase date.
IMPORTANT: This warranty supersedes all other warranties included with this
product.
Return Policy
We want you to be completely satisfied with your Hotchkis Performance product. For products,
presenting signs of s hipping damage please contac t the freight carrier im mediately. All our products
are guaranteed to be free from manufacturer’s defects. If your order arrives with a manufacture
defect, please contact our Customer Service Dep artment at (562) 907-7757. You will be assigned a
Returned Goods Authori zation Number (RGA). The pac kage you return mus t show the RGA on the
outside of the package, include the original invoice and be shipped prepaid to our facility. The
product has to be unused and in its original pac kaging materials. Exc hanges or refunds m ade after
30 days will be subj ect t o a 20% res tock ing charg e. If you purchased your Hotchkis Performance
product from an authorized dealer, you are still covered by this return policy. All returns
however, should be made to your dealer, not to Hotchkis Performance directly.
Limited Warranty
Hotchkis Performance offers a Limited Warranty against defects in materials and workmanship for the
term of 36 months (3 years) from the date of purchase of this product. This Warranty only applies to
the original retail purchaser who retains ownership of the vehicle on which the product was originally
installed. If the product is determined to be defective, Hotchkis Performance will repair, replace or
refund the purchase price of the defective product at Hotchkis Performance's sole discretion, which
shall fully satisfy and discharge any and all warranty claims. Any repaired or replaced product will be
returned to the sender excluding the cost of freight.
warranty at www.hotchkis.net or via the mail-in warranty card, included with the product,
within 30 days of the original purchase date.
www.hotchkis.net or via the mail-in warranty card, included with the
Products must be registered to qualify for
Exclusions from Warranty
Items offered but not manufactured by Hotchkis Performance are warranted according to the
manufacturer's terms and are not covered by this lim ited warranty. Hotchkis Pe rformance shall not
be responsible for any labor, removal, ins tallat ion , r e-installation or maintenance costs. T his warranty
does not cover the cosmetic finish or plating of any product or any normal wear and tear to any
product including, but not limited to bushings, brack ets, end-links, hardware, steering components,
shocks or springs. In addition, this warranty does not apply to any products that have been:
Improperly installed or installed by someone other tha n a qualified, licensed aut o mechanic
experienced in the installation and removal of suspension products;
Improperly serviced, misused, or modified, altered or subjected to abuse, negligence, accident or
collision;
Installed in any vehicle that has been modified;
Installed on any vehicle that has carried loads in excess of automobile manufacturer suggested
weight limits; or
Installed on any vehicle t hat has been subject to abnormal or excessive use, including rallying,
racing, or racing-type activities or off-road use.
Limitation of Warranty
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