Rear Suspension Disassembley
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Instructor
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 137
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Rear Suspension Disassembley
I have a 71 roadster that is in need of some rear suspension work. Any recommendations on sequence of events to completely disassemble rear suspension. Specific tips on leaf spring removal. Thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 2,845
Likes: 2
From: Apex NC
Re: Rear Suspension Disassembley (mulchie)
I wrote up my experiences on my webpage. I used these directions as a guide, eliminating the areas that I didn't need to address. http://www.vettenet.org/sharkrear.html
Shannon
Shannon
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 7,562
Likes: 9
From: B'Ville NY
Cruise-In III Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05
Re: Rear Suspension Disassembley (mulchie)
I'd start by removing the half shafts from the wheel spindle then the side yoke of the differential. From there I'd remove the e-brake cable & brake line, strut rods, shocks, swaybar (if installed), then rear leafspring. You may want to buy a lower shock mount remover tool also as these are a common problem area when disasssembling.
This should have your trailing arms connected only by the front bolt in the frame (if you replace bolt , go stainless not grade 8 as the hard bolt could snap from the back & forth pressures over time :eek: ) . Be sure to keep track of the shims and where they went for reassembly. It's not uncommon to have to cut the bolt to get the trailing arm out either (lots of saw blades for the saws all & beer ;) ). It's easier to disassemble the rear trailing arm on a bench after it's out of the car.
If your removing the rear differential, it's easier to just remove the unit still attached to the cross frame member then removing the bolts that mount from the top of the cross member. You'll need to remove the differential support bracket at the front of the diff. also.
You may want to buy a lower shock mount remover tool also as these are a common problem area when disasssembling.
This should have your trailing arms connected only by the front bolt in the frame (if you replace bolt , go stainless not grade 8 as the hard bolt could snap from the back & forth pressures over time :eek: ) . Be sure to keep track of the shims and where they went for reassembly. It's not uncommon to have to cut the bolt to get the trailing arm out either (lots of saw blades for the saws all & beer ;) ). It's easier to disassemble the rear trailing arm on a bench after it's out of the car.
If your removing the rear differential, it's easier to just remove the unit still attached to the cross frame member then removing the bolts that mount from the top of the cross member. You'll need to remove the differential support bracket at the front of the diff. also.
You may want to buy a lower shock mount remover tool also as these are a common problem area when disasssembling.
C6 the C5 of tomorrow
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,665
Likes: 2
From: Twin Cities Minnesota
Re: Rear Suspension Disassembley (mikeo)
Whoa there Nelly!
Buy a NEW TRAILING arm bolt. The are the right bolt at the right hardness!
and they arn't THAT expensive!
Buy a NEW TRAILING arm bolt. The are the right bolt at the right hardness!
and they arn't THAT expensive!
This should have your trailing arms connected only by the front bolt in the frame (if you replace bolt , go stainless not grade 8 as the
