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rear suspension updated & home alignment on the 82....w/pics
Since my RR wheel had a lot of negative camber and I haven't had time to get to the alignment shop, I thought it would be best to update the rear suspension and get things in order before getting the Vette aligned.
So I decided to change out the following: struts, rear spring and bushings in the rear sway bar and spring bolt bushings as well. I also borrowed a Camber/Caster alignment gauge from one of the mechanic's at work. It helped out tremendously. BTW, I used products from VBP which I already had from the 74, but not installed yet. This is by no means a plug for them, as there are many vendors out there who sell good quality suspensions parts. VBP was my choice and I am satisfied with their products. That being said, now on to the install...... this is the gauge I used....more on that later... http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p...I/IMG_0153.jpg the adjustable strut rods I used... http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p...I/IMG_0136.jpg If you intend to do the struts, now is the perfect time to do the spring, as I would recommend removing the spare tire carrier, rear spring to easily get to the struts. the rear FE7 9 leaf spring... http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p...I/IMG_0133.jpg http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p...I/IMG_0134.jpg w/part # http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p...I/IMG_0135.jpg the original struts removed, you can see where the bushings are worn from 30 years of movement, this is why I could not adjust the RR wheel. http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p...I/IMG_0137.jpg http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p...I/IMG_0138.jpg I also found it very necessary to remove the strut rod bracket from the rear for a number of reasons. I couldn't get one strut bolt undone, went to PepBoys and had them use an air gun to remove, and I would have never been able to install the new rods without the bracket removed. http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p...I/IMG_0139.jpg http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p...I/IMG_0140.jpg parts from the new struts.... http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p...I/IMG_0143.jpg those two round washers from above have to go inside the strut rod bracket with the struts, what a PIA to do.... http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p...I/IMG_0144.jpg lining everything up for the install.... http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p...I/IMG_0145.jpg http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p...I/IMG_0146.jpg http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p...I/IMG_0147.jpg http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p...I/IMG_0149.jpg mission accomplished.... http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p...I/IMG_0151.jpg the alignment gauge.....what I did after everything was back together was use the jack under the bottom of the strut/shock mount (car was on jackstands for the rear) and raise it up enough that the halfshaft was level, I did use a level on the halfshaft for that purpose.... http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p...I/IMG_0155.jpg spring and rods installed.... http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p...I/IMG_0158.jpg http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p...I/IMG_0159.jpg http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p...I/IMG_0160.jpg then I attached the gauge to the rear hub and took my camber measurement with the gauge leveled.... http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p...I/IMG_0152.jpg look at the gauge and you can see that I dialed in that wheel @ 1/4 degree negative camber. the alignment specs for the 82 are: 0 degrees + or - 1/2 degree for each rear wheel, I did not concern myself with toe-in at this time. another view of the gauge.... http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p...I/IMG_0157.jpg since I have the rear sway bar, I found it next to impossible to install the rubber cushions for the rear spring bolts, because of the tab needed for the bar, so for now I put the poly cushions in and they seem to be just fine. The ride is better, I am using a 340 lb spring as that is the one I had made up for my 74 BB Vert and will have to replace that in the future. It feels much better in the back end. I just got in sway bar link bushings as mine are totally worned out, so they get replaced this weekend. the last few pics are from the rear of the Vette before and after the home rear alignment, I still have to make a minor adjustment on the RR wheel as I feel it needs to come in another 1/2 degree or so. But all-in -all, I am happy with the results. LR before.... http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p...I/IMG_0131.jpg LR after... http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p...I/IMG_0164.jpg RR before... http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p...I/IMG_0132.jpg RR after... http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p...I/IMG_0165.jpg So far, so good.................................... Tom:D |
Job well done! Nice right up with the pics.
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Originally Posted by JimmyS5600
(Post 1580712402)
Job well done! Nice right up with the pics.
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What do you think was the most worn part contributing to the probelm? The strut bushings?
I have the same issue, looks like new struts with bushings would take care of it. |
Nice job! Pics tell the story well:thumbs:
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Originally Posted by maxmachz
(Post 1580712567)
What do you think was the most worn part contributing to the probelm? The strut bushings?
I have the same issue, looks like new struts with bushings would take care of it. |
Originally Posted by hugie82
(Post 1580712609)
Nice job! Pics tell the story well:thumbs:
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