69 Rear end mounting
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
From: Wellesley Island New York
69 Rear end mounting
I have the frame off restoration started. I just got the frame back from paint and am trying to start putting everything back together. I took a lot of pictures but they have been lost due to a nine month deployment of which I just returned. I'm looking for all the bolt sizes that are required to put the rear end back in. I'm sure they are mostly 9/16th but I'm trying to get the lengths. I need the sizes for the two that mount the rear end cross member, the four(?) that mount the differential to the cross member. The two that mount the rear trailing arms. (I think they have the castellated nut also) And finally I need the bolt that mounts the differential mounting bracket to the cross member, this also has some sort of bushing that goes into the crossmember. I can't find what its called to order a new one.. The rear-end is fully put together and I have the bolts that mount the shocks to the frame. I have the AIM but it is not really helping with the bolt sizes. Any help will be appreciated. Ill be documenting the rebuild process in as much detail as possible. Thanks in advanced.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,165
Likes: 93
From: Bellmore NY
I think most of these bolts are 5/8's, but I couldnt give you the lengths off of the top of my head. Is it that you have bolts laying around and trying to figure out what goes where, or is it that you are buying new stuff?
There are two sets of castle nutted bolts in the back of the car...one set for the trailing arms, and the other set bolts the front of the differential to a bracket that bolts to the frame. The longer set of bolts is for the diff, the shorter set is for the trailing arms.
Otherwise, in this situation, I would just order new hardware from one of the suppliers.
http://willcoxcorvette.com/product_i...ducts_id=15337
http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb....Z5Z5Z50000050G
http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb....Z5Z5Z50000050G
http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb....Z5Z5Z50000050G
There are two sets of castle nutted bolts in the back of the car...one set for the trailing arms, and the other set bolts the front of the differential to a bracket that bolts to the frame. The longer set of bolts is for the diff, the shorter set is for the trailing arms.
Otherwise, in this situation, I would just order new hardware from one of the suppliers.
http://willcoxcorvette.com/product_i...ducts_id=15337
http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb....Z5Z5Z50000050G
http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb....Z5Z5Z50000050G
http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb....Z5Z5Z50000050G
Last edited by Big Block Dave; Oct 26, 2013 at 09:26 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,381
Likes: 415
From: N J
Swapped my 3.08's to 3.70's just last week. The pair of bolts holding the cross member up are 7/16. One of them snapped during removal and took forever to drill back out. I should have went in from behind the storage compartment
Coat the bushings and cross member in anti-seize, the next owner will thank you.
Coat the bushings and cross member in anti-seize, the next owner will thank you.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,317
Likes: 111
From: St Louis MO
Bolt size nomenclature...
Bolt sizes are referred to by the bolt diameter, not by the distance across the flats. With most English bolts from 1/4" to 1/2" diameter, the distance across the flats is typically 3/16" larger. Thus a 7/16" bolt takes a 5/8" wrench.
Bolt sizes are referred to by the bolt diameter, not by the distance across the flats. With most English bolts from 1/4" to 1/2" diameter, the distance across the flats is typically 3/16" larger. Thus a 7/16" bolt takes a 5/8" wrench.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
From: Wellesley Island New York
@John65 Thanks they are 7/16 that helped.. I am replacing all the bolts because the others have been rusted out. Good tip on the anti seize! Ha I would have thanked the previous owner.
@larrywalk, appreciate it, I had a brain fart and was trying to type in a hurry.
I did get the lengths figured out, however; I also need one more bolt that mounts the differential mounting bracket to the frame. It is the one that goes through the bushing and down through the differential mounting bracket. I suppose Ill just measure the diameter of the hole that should work?
Any tips on how to shim the trailing arms in the rear.. I took pictures when I disassembled, but the rear end has since been re-built, does that have any affect on the shimming?
Ill try and post pictures of my progress at the end of the day. Thanks for the help.
@larrywalk, appreciate it, I had a brain fart and was trying to type in a hurry.
I did get the lengths figured out, however; I also need one more bolt that mounts the differential mounting bracket to the frame. It is the one that goes through the bushing and down through the differential mounting bracket. I suppose Ill just measure the diameter of the hole that should work?
Any tips on how to shim the trailing arms in the rear.. I took pictures when I disassembled, but the rear end has since been re-built, does that have any affect on the shimming?
Ill try and post pictures of my progress at the end of the day. Thanks for the help.
2026 Loser of the Year
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 36,573
Likes: 7,016
From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
Click on this shortcut.....then click on "alignment School Learn more" (YouTube also has video on how to do it)
http://www.duntovmotors.com/technical.php
http://www.duntovmotors.com/technical.php
Last edited by doorgunner; Oct 28, 2013 at 08:26 AM.
