General Maintenance & Repairs - Spindle Hitting Strut

I have a 96 Camaro and I am installing an LS1 out of an 01 Trans Am. In doing this I decided to buy the UMI K member to drop some additional weight. After I installed the K member and stock suspension components it seems like I have some clearance issues on the passenger side. It is as if the suspension is hanging to low and this excessive pivot is creating the spindle to come into contact with the strut. The spindle is hitting the strut assembly prevents it from moving freely through its range of motion. The lower A arms are positioned about halfway on the slots provided on the K member to allow for adjustments as necessary when aligning the suspension. The engine/trans has not yet been installed on the vehicle. Has anybody else had this issue with their suspension? Will this problem resolve itself once I get the extra weight from the engine/trans in the car and let the struts compress? I am usign the LS1 struts so the spring rate should be appropriate. I am confused/concerned as to why this is happening on the passenger side and not the drivers (car has not been in a wreck). Any help anyone can provide is appreciated. I will post pictures tonight if I can.

put up some pictures, i'm not sure what you are calling a spindle.

The shock should only allow the suspension to droop so far. Are you sure the shock isn't damaged, or maybe you forgot to install something ?

I took some pictures but, I am trying to figure out why it won't let me upload them. I'll get them up ASAP. The passenger side is the only side that is having these issues. I don't think it is the shock that is the issue. The reason is because I tried one set and was having this issue and switched to a pair that came off a wrecked 01 Camaro with 900 original miles and it did not solve this issue. In the pictures you can see where the back side of the spindle is hitting the strut assembly. The car is on the ground with the weight of the car less engine/trans. Also, I had to put on the spare because the ball joint stud was actually rubbing the back side of the tire. All parts are installed and I am at a loss for answers. Thanks guys.

Here are some pics.

Looks like you might have the upper a-arms swapped left-to-right.

I appreciate the input and I had though about that too but, it looks like I have the uppers in the right orientation. The curve is supposed to go towards the nose of the car (ball joint side closest to firewall) if I am not mistaken. Is this the wrong orientation?

Wrong side strut mount? Mine look exactly like that when it was in wrong

I'll check to make sure it's the right strut mountwhen I work on it tonight. I am crossing my fingers that it is a bent spindle. The car itself has not been in an accident but the LS1 front suspension I bought from Cleveland Pick-a-Part was all messed on the passenger side. I guess to this point I have made the assumption the spindle was to stout to bend. It doesn't look damaged but all it takes is a couple of degrees and you have clearance issues.

spindle is bent? how far out on the adjustment holes on the k-member are your control arms?

looks like you might have the upper a-arms swapped left-to-right.

this !!!!!

Thanks for all your replies. I swapped out the spindle last night and it was bent pretty bad. I guess it was hard to tell due to the weird shapes inherent in spindles. It was about 2 inches out of whack compared to a good one. Yet one more reason not to do business with Cleveland Pick-a-Part. That whole experience was a nightmare and dealing with their internet sales rep, Gus, was like working with a lying 10 year old. I would highly recommend not doing business with them if you want quality parts!!! Thanks again for all your help guys!

Thanks for all your replies. I swapped out the spindle last night and it was bent pretty bad. I guess it was hard to tell due to the weird shapes inherent in spindles. It was about 2 inches out of whack compared to a good one. Yet one more reason not to do business with Cleveland Pick-a-Part. That whole experience was a nightmare and dealing with their internet sales rep, Gus, was like working with a lying 10 year old. I would highly recommend not doing business with them if you want quality parts!!! Thanks again for all your help guys!

Glad you found the problem and I hope you gave him Negative Feedback, heard a lot of BAD things about them.