[kcbhiw]

Considering that this is a budget build, custom axles aren't in the budget, at least right now. Unfortunately, those from the Tracer don't fit the transmission. Therefore, I was forced to use the GTX's axles. Furthermore, this requires the use of the GTX knuckles and spindles. However, using the GTX knuckle/spindle assembly required the use of 4x114.3 bolt pattern wheels as opposed to the 4x100 bolt pattern wheels that are more commonly found.............what a mess.

Bolting up the GTX's knuckles would have worked just fine. However, I noticed that the the steering arm between the GTX's knuckle and the arm on a knuckle I had lying around from a Capri were different....the Capri's arm was about 2 inches lower. If I were to use the Capri's knuckle, bump steer would be improved once the car (Tracer) was lowered. Additionally, the spindle between the GTX and the Capri are identical.

Being the stubborn person that I am, I'd rather not buy any additional wheels as I have several sets employing the 4x100 bolt pattern already laying around. My goal was to find a way to use those wheels with the Capri knuckles without the use of any adaptors or the like. My answer was found in the Ford Aspire.


The Aspire's spindles share the same axle diameter and spline count as the GTX/Capri. It uses the same bearing part numbers as well. I picked up a pair of knuckles from an Aspire at the junker and compared what I had. The knuckle castings were nearly the same as the Capri's with the exception that the lower control arm ball joint attachment was closer to the hub's center. This could pose a problem with the suspension geometry once the car (Tracer) is lowered. So the decision was made to use the Capri knuckles with Aspire spindles. With new bearings installed on the driver's side assembly, all was ready for a test fit between the control arm, knuckle, axle, brake caliper, etc.