1971 Journey
Pro
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 657
Likes: 114
From: Picton NSW
Guys
what different does it make in reality .
your not going to increase the drive shaft angel by moving the diff straight up a 0.5" or so.
Some people get really carried away with the theoretical possibilities.
People talk south the angles etc of what it should be and shouldn't be. and it all theoretical correct
But in reality in a c3 your engine sits in the frame at an angle horizontally right to left from the front to rear.
engines trans is angled down towards the rear 1 1/2 to 2 degs in my experience
and the diff sits square and parallel l in the frame again in my experience.
I went to the trouble of changing the angle of a diff upwards once, to match the engine/trans angle , a lot of trouble to no gain
with the drive shaft fitted ,
If you can rotate the drive shaft over by hand with little effort , the trans in neutral and wheels off the ground. your not likely to have any problems .
Bfit
what different does it make in reality .
your not going to increase the drive shaft angel by moving the diff straight up a 0.5" or so.
Some people get really carried away with the theoretical possibilities.
People talk south the angles etc of what it should be and shouldn't be. and it all theoretical correct
But in reality in a c3 your engine sits in the frame at an angle horizontally right to left from the front to rear.
engines trans is angled down towards the rear 1 1/2 to 2 degs in my experience
and the diff sits square and parallel l in the frame again in my experience.
I went to the trouble of changing the angle of a diff upwards once, to match the engine/trans angle , a lot of trouble to no gain
with the drive shaft fitted ,
If you can rotate the drive shaft over by hand with little effort , the trans in neutral and wheels off the ground. your not likely to have any problems .
Bfit
Last edited by bfit; Oct 12, 2019 at 09:04 AM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,795
Likes: 1,196
From: Canberra Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Parts have turned up from Corvette Central and Van Steel.
Time to start again.
Time to start again.
Last edited by CraigH; Apr 10, 2023 at 06:50 AM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,795
Likes: 1,196
From: Canberra Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Started by applying supplied grease to the bushes and then pressed them into the diff crossmember.
No issues with getting them in.
No issues with getting them in.
Last edited by CraigH; Apr 10, 2023 at 06:50 AM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,795
Likes: 1,196
From: Canberra Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Also picked up these bike lifts to help with setting up the rear suspension at ride height etc. $67 each seemed good value to me.
Last edited by CraigH; Apr 10, 2023 at 06:50 AM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,795
Likes: 1,196
From: Canberra Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Crosmember bolted to diff.
Raised into place.
The new lift helped align the front.
Bolted in.
Raised into place.
The new lift helped align the front.
Bolted in.
Last edited by CraigH; Apr 10, 2023 at 06:50 AM.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 370
Likes: 77
From: Perth Western Australia
Hi Craig,
how much higher do you think it's placed the diff cross member compared to when using the original bushes. Looks like to new bushes have quite a large flange on them and it's a bit hard to see how much your gaining.
Would it be possible to get a side picture (taken from inside the wheel arch) showing the gap between the cross member and the frame with everything mounted up tight.
I think mine is currently about 3/8" with new standard bushes, however I'm using the aluminium bottom plates so this may of helped them pull up tight.
I'm just looking at ways to straighten the half shafts a bit with a lowered ride height.
how much higher do you think it's placed the diff cross member compared to when using the original bushes. Looks like to new bushes have quite a large flange on them and it's a bit hard to see how much your gaining.
Would it be possible to get a side picture (taken from inside the wheel arch) showing the gap between the cross member and the frame with everything mounted up tight.
I think mine is currently about 3/8" with new standard bushes, however I'm using the aluminium bottom plates so this may of helped them pull up tight.
I'm just looking at ways to straighten the half shafts a bit with a lowered ride height.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,795
Likes: 1,196
From: Canberra Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Hi Craig,
how much higher do you think it's placed the diff cross member compared to when using the original bushes. Looks like to new bushes have quite a large flange on them and it's a bit hard to see how much your gaining.
Would it be possible to get a side picture (taken from inside the wheel arch) showing the gap between the cross member and the frame with everything mounted up tight.
I think mine is currently about 3/8" with new standard bushes, however I'm using the aluminium bottom plates so this may of helped them pull up tight.
I'm just looking at ways to straighten the half shafts a bit with a lowered ride height.
how much higher do you think it's placed the diff cross member compared to when using the original bushes. Looks like to new bushes have quite a large flange on them and it's a bit hard to see how much your gaining.
Would it be possible to get a side picture (taken from inside the wheel arch) showing the gap between the cross member and the frame with everything mounted up tight.
I think mine is currently about 3/8" with new standard bushes, however I'm using the aluminium bottom plates so this may of helped them pull up tight.
I'm just looking at ways to straighten the half shafts a bit with a lowered ride height.
i will take some pictures today and measure.
its hard to tell given it’s been out for a while but it certainly seems to sit up tighter to the frame than before.
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Racer
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 370
Likes: 77
From: Perth Western Australia
Racer
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 370
Likes: 77
From: Perth Western Australia
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,795
Likes: 1,196
From: Canberra Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Finally back to where i was a few years back. About to fit new VanSteel Coilover trailing arms etc.
The rear bearing assemblies from Bairs had reverse studs so they can be bolted to the trailing arm as a unit.
First remove the flange and 4 stud nuts slot then onto the training arm.
Tighten nuts on stud to 50lb then refit flange.
The rear bearing assemblies from Bairs had reverse studs so they can be bolted to the trailing arm as a unit.
First remove the flange and 4 stud nuts slot then onto the training arm.
Tighten nuts on stud to 50lb then refit flange.
Last edited by CraigH; Apr 10, 2023 at 06:49 AM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,795
Likes: 1,196
From: Canberra Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
A bit more progress.
Fitted up the new cv joints to the half shafts. Had to grind a small amount on the side that bolts to hub to get larger Spicer CV's on.
Fitted up the new cv joints to the half shafts. Had to grind a small amount on the side that bolts to hub to get larger Spicer CV's on.
Last edited by CraigH; Apr 10, 2023 at 06:49 AM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,795
Likes: 1,196
From: Canberra Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Some progress fitting the new trailing arms, half shafts and strut rods.
Last edited by CraigH; Apr 10, 2023 at 06:49 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,255
Likes: 297
From: Slovenia, EU
2017 C3 of Year Finalist
Good work Craig.
Which CV joints did you use? Spicer/Dana 51350?
And how difficult was the assembly of the rear bearing assembly on the trailing arms?
I have to take off and refurbish my trailing arms and I will probably buy the whole bearing assembly already assembled and just change them.
Which CV joints did you use? Spicer/Dana 51350?
And how difficult was the assembly of the rear bearing assembly on the trailing arms?
I have to take off and refurbish my trailing arms and I will probably buy the whole bearing assembly already assembled and just change them.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,795
Likes: 1,196
From: Canberra Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Good work Craig.
Which CV joints did you use? Spicer/Dana 51350?
And how difficult was the assembly of the rear bearing assembly on the trailing arms?
I have to take off and refurbish my trailing arms and I will probably buy the whole bearing assembly already assembled and just change them.
Which CV joints did you use? Spicer/Dana 51350?
And how difficult was the assembly of the rear bearing assembly on the trailing arms?
I have to take off and refurbish my trailing arms and I will probably buy the whole bearing assembly already assembled and just change them.
They had a great reputation and had the option to have reverse studs added so I could just bolt them up to my new arms with minimal disassembly. No need to pull them apart again to fit them.
being in Australia I had to pay a higher price for not shipping back my old ones to the US for them to rebuild and sell on but it was not that much more expensive.
Last edited by CraigH; Nov 17, 2019 at 03:11 AM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,795
Likes: 1,196
From: Canberra Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Just checked and the Spicer CV’s came from Denny’s Driveshafts in a rebuild kit. They are sealed with no zerk fittings. At the time about $110.00
Last edited by CraigH; Nov 17, 2019 at 05:05 AM.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 370
Likes: 77
From: Perth Western Australia
Just checked and the Spicer CV’s came from Denny’s Driveshafts in a rebuild kit. They are sealed with no zerk fittings. At the time about $110.00
I'm surprised Denny's Driveshafts wanted anything to do with you!!!
I had a hell of a time purchasing there aluminium half shafts and CV joints, the boss simply did not want to deal with any overseas orders. After numerous emails and a phone call I managed to get them to ship to a freight forwarding company in California. I guess he must have been screwed before!!!
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,795
Likes: 1,196
From: Canberra Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Hi Craig,
I'm surprised Denny's Driveshafts wanted anything to do with you!!!
I had a hell of a time purchasing there aluminium half shafts and CV joints, the boss simply did not want to deal with any overseas orders. After numerous emails and a phone call I managed to get them to ship to a freight forwarding company in California. I guess he must have been screwed before!!!
I'm surprised Denny's Driveshafts wanted anything to do with you!!!
I had a hell of a time purchasing there aluminium half shafts and CV joints, the boss simply did not want to deal with any overseas orders. After numerous emails and a phone call I managed to get them to ship to a freight forwarding company in California. I guess he must have been screwed before!!!
Those are nice looking half shafts you have there.
Last edited by CraigH; Nov 18, 2019 at 03:04 AM.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 370
Likes: 77
From: Perth Western Australia