Help!....before I trash the rear suspension!!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 196
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From: Dry Ridge Kentucky
Help!....before I trash the rear suspension!!
OK, I'd much rather admit my confusion that to break something. Below are two pics of the rear trailing arm / leaf spring connection. Two concerns:
Has anyone done this with the body off? Is there a better way, or order that I should connect all parts? I don't have enough weight on the frame to allow me to jack the trailing arm enough to connect the smart struts. I think I can brace or weight it with something. Even if I figure out how to stabilize the frame, should I connect the struts first and then wrestle with the leaf spring connections? (They were a PITA to connect as it was). Or should I wait to connect everything when I have the body back on, etc.
Second. It feels like if I jack the trailing arm assy enough to connect the struts, it would put way too much pressure on the struts when I released the jack pressure. That's why I'm asking advice before I trash the smart struts, ($200 once was enough).
The pics show how far out of line the struts are with just the spring connected to the trailing arm. Sorry for the long post but I can really only afford one shot at this. Thanks in advance for the help.
Has anyone done this with the body off? Is there a better way, or order that I should connect all parts? I don't have enough weight on the frame to allow me to jack the trailing arm enough to connect the smart struts. I think I can brace or weight it with something. Even if I figure out how to stabilize the frame, should I connect the struts first and then wrestle with the leaf spring connections? (They were a PITA to connect as it was). Or should I wait to connect everything when I have the body back on, etc.
Second. It feels like if I jack the trailing arm assy enough to connect the struts, it would put way too much pressure on the struts when I released the jack pressure. That's why I'm asking advice before I trash the smart struts, ($200 once was enough).
The pics show how far out of line the struts are with just the spring connected to the trailing arm. Sorry for the long post but I can really only afford one shot at this. Thanks in advance for the help.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,341
Likes: 6
Re: Help!....before I trash the rear suspension!! (keith72)
". . . should I connect the struts first and then wrestle with the leaf spring connections?"
Yes. When you connect the spring last, you will find the whole process much easier.
Yes. When you connect the spring last, you will find the whole process much easier.
The ORIGINAL and bestest
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 10,009
Likes: 240
From: Toronto Ontario
Toronto Events Coordinator
Re: Help!....before I trash the rear suspension!! (keith72)
Keith, first of all, great taste in year of Vette, and second, connect the struts first, then the spring.
Since, I am replying to this, I might as well ask a favor from you since I was going to post a topic looking for help from other 68-72 body-off restorers. Could you take a picture, a close up if possible, of the insides of the front frame horns, specifically how they are welded to the frame? I would greatly appreciate it if you could either post the pic, or email it to me.
Since, I am replying to this, I might as well ask a favor from you since I was going to post a topic looking for help from other 68-72 body-off restorers. Could you take a picture, a close up if possible, of the insides of the front frame horns, specifically how they are welded to the frame? I would greatly appreciate it if you could either post the pic, or email it to me.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 196
Likes: 0
From: Dry Ridge Kentucky
Re: Help!....before I trash the rear suspension!! (7t2vette)
Bruce,
Sent you about 5 pics in e-mail. (500K file size total).
Let me know if you need anything else.
Thanks all for the advice. Looks like I unboltin' some springs....
Sent you about 5 pics in e-mail. (500K file size total).
Let me know if you need anything else.
Thanks all for the advice. Looks like I unboltin' some springs....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
Re: Help!....before I trash the rear suspension!! (keith72)
I second Keith's request:
What are the tricks to getting the spring on/off with a bare chassis??
Just today - it occured to me that this was going to be an issue as I start
to rebuild the chassis from my '70.
What are the tricks to getting the spring on/off with a bare chassis??
Just today - it occured to me that this was going to be an issue as I start
to rebuild the chassis from my '70.
The ORIGINAL and bestest
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 10,009
Likes: 240
From: Toronto Ontario
Toronto Events Coordinator
Re: Help!....before I trash the rear suspension!! (7t2vette)
As far as removing the spring with a bare chassis, I just had four friends stand on the frame as I jacked up the t-arm!! I haven't gotten around to putting on the new spring yet!
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 792
Likes: 2
From: Norcross GA
Re: Help!....before I trash the rear suspension!! (Daves_rusty_75)
I'll loan you my one almost friend :cool:
I did my strut adjustment rods with the frame and the springs on and had the same problems, though not as extreme as yours, with the rods not aligning with the connection points. As I recall, I jacked up the t-arms and the gap closed somewhat though not all the way. I still had to put a little side pressure on them eventually to get them lined up. Also, once they get in the space, you may find that the angle from the front bolt hole to the back bolt hole is not square and the bolt won't go through. I took a large screwdriver and placed it in the space above the strut rod and twisted a little to line up the two holes and the bolt.
Bob
[Modified by Bobchad, 2:12 PM 8/26/2002]
I did my strut adjustment rods with the frame and the springs on and had the same problems, though not as extreme as yours, with the rods not aligning with the connection points. As I recall, I jacked up the t-arms and the gap closed somewhat though not all the way. I still had to put a little side pressure on them eventually to get them lined up. Also, once they get in the space, you may find that the angle from the front bolt hole to the back bolt hole is not square and the bolt won't go through. I took a large screwdriver and placed it in the space above the strut rod and twisted a little to line up the two holes and the bolt.
Bob
[Modified by Bobchad, 2:12 PM 8/26/2002]
