Let The Rear End Rebuild Commence!!!

74bigblock · Jul 7, 2005

The hard part is done! I have both trailing arms installed. What a snap that was! Here's what we did. Took Antiseize compound, lathered it in the T-Arm bolt casing. Took the bolt and tied a 14 gauge guitar string to the cotter key hole (must use the open end of the string, not the end with the brass ball). Flipped the end of the bolt behind and over the brake lines, and fed the string through the inner chasis hole. Then used a needle nose vise grip to manuver the bolt into the chasis hole... took up the slack, and pulled it thru the inside hole. Inserted the T-arm, used the end of a wrench to push thru the bolt... add all done! Took abut 10 min per side!

Edmond · Jul 7, 2005

You should've had Junk do all that work for you when he was up here!:L

74bigblock · Jul 7, 2005

Edmond said:
You should've had Junk do all that work for you when he was up here!:L

He offered. Then he found out about the diff and offered to drive up from St. Louis!

I'd rather do it myself though... get more satisfaction out of the finished product ( I hope :L )!

The only thing I have to work on is getting the dang sway bar bolt out of the chasis... it snapped off (Driver's side front bolt on the frame rail). Without the diff, there is nothing I can do! I figure I have 4 hrs of work left on her. I can't wait!

Edmond · Jul 7, 2005

So the '74 BB should be back on the road soon?

Did you go the VBP route? I'm going to redo mine later this year and going with poly everything suspension is one of the things on the list.

74bigblock · Jul 7, 2005

Edmond said:
So the '74 BB should be back on the road soon?

Did you go the VBP route? I'm going to redo mine later this year and going with poly everything suspension is one of the things on the list.

Yeah.. just waiting for my diff... then bolt it all up and go get an alignment! Should be on the road before end of month easy.

I got VBP front and rear sway bars with poly mounts, Spring end links with poly mounts (already have glass spring), T-arms have rubber mounts, DIff biscuit mount will also be rubber. Also add to the VBP list new strut rods (adj).

I have new from last season eibach shocks.

Should ride like a whole different animal. We will have to meet up and go for a cruise once I get her rolling.

80convertible · Jul 13, 2005

Looks good. I too am finishing up a rear suspension rebuild. I not as far along as you though. I also converted just about everything to poly bushings. Picked up Energy Suspension poly bushings from Autozone.

74bigblock · Jul 13, 2005

Got the parking brakes hooked up last night. Not sure if I have 'em adjusted correctly though. The angle the T-arms hang at is not good for finding the true tension in the cables.

74bigblock · Jul 13, 2005

Picking up rebuilt Diff tonight from Vtech! He did it in 6 days!

All I have left out there is the smart strut assembly from VBP. It should be here today or tomorrow. That means 74bigblock will roll under her own power this weekend!

dk1977 · Jul 13, 2005

Bigblock, just for your amusement and a WARNING to others about FastCorvettes.com a.k.a. Duntov Motor Company.
I ordered my complete T-Arms on June 27th, they promised shipment July 1st. I called July 5th to get a tracking #. I was advised my order was still "being built" and they would ship by the July 8th. I E-mailed them on July 11th (to get things in writing) as to the ship date. I got an e-mail back stating the shop had been closed for "remodeling" for a week and they would get back with me with a firm ship date..... I think Zora must be spinning in his grave....

wishuwerehere82 · Jul 13, 2005

Git er done Dave!
It's going to be a running machine.
(No tape required):L

74bigblock · Jul 14, 2005

dk1977 said:
Bigblock, just for your amusement and a WARNING to others about FastCorvettes.com a.k.a. Duntov Motor Company.
I ordered my complete T-Arms on June 27th, they promised shipment July 1st. I called July 5th to get a tracking #. I was advised my order was still "being built" and they would ship by the July 8th. I E-mailed them on July 11th (to get things in writing) as to the ship date. I got an e-mail back stating the shop had been closed for "remodeling" for a week and they would get back with me with a firm ship date..... I think Zora must be spinning in his grave....

If you have the patience, I'm sure you will get them eventually. The last time I spoke with them, they said they were shipping out 20 something sets that day. That's when I cancelled my order. I told that t*@^ lady to give you mine!

74bigblock · Jul 14, 2005

wishuwerehere82 said:
Git er done Dave!
It's going to be a running machine.
(No tape required):L

I had to restrain myself at 11PM last night from getting started. I don't think my neighbors would appreciate the compressor and air tools running that late. Plus I have to be up at 5:30 every morning. I may have her done tonight, if not... tomorrow. I'll put about 25 miles on her, re-torque everything... and get my allignment done Saturday.... Then :lou

all the way down my block!

74bigblock · Jul 14, 2005

Lots of progress!

Tonight we closed the diff, filled it, put on the front bracket, X-member, drive shaft, mounted this all in the car. Then we put on a set of Smart Struts from VBP and then the 3" half shafts (solid U-joints) and spring.

What's left? Brake lines, shocks, bleed the system... drill out the broken bolt in the chasis for the sway bar, adjustments... alignment.

Here's what she looks like now:

Edmond · Jul 15, 2005

So shiny and brand new!

What I did tonight: had Giordanno's with Patrick and he bought!

80convertible · Jul 15, 2005

Got a question for you 74bigblock. Are there 2 washers used per shock mount... one on each side of the shock bushings? Also, is there a washer behind the castle nut on the other side of the shock mount... the side that passes thru the spindle support? I'm about to reinstall, but I know bubba has been messing around with my rearend in the past.

gmjunkie · Jul 15, 2005

74bigblock said:
He offered. Then he found out about the diff and offered to drive up from St. Louis!

I'd rather do it myself though... get more satisfaction out of the finished product ( I hope :L )!

Mitey Fine!,Mitey Fine! She LOOK"s Mitey Fine!! Job Well Done!!:gap :gap :dance :Twist :pat

gmjunkie!! P.S. Let me know when ya want me bring Yavette back up to Wax yer Azz!! ;LOL

74bigblock · Jul 15, 2005

80convertible said:
Got a question for you 74bigblock. Are there 2 washers used per shock mount... one on each side of the shock bushings? Also, is there a washer behind the castle nut on the other side of the shock mount... the side that passes thru the spindle support? I'm about to reinstall, but I know bubba has been messing around with my rearend in the past.

80,

On the shocks... I beleive yes, one washer on each side is correct, otherwise it would bind.

On the lower shock mounts going through the spindle, there is no washer between the front of the mount and the spindle flange. You should see some small teeth in the shock mount. These actually dig into the spindle and lock it in place (I had to break out the sledge to get mine to seat all the way flush with the flange. You can put a washer behind the castle nut, but you may not have room for the cotter key of you do.

Good luck... let us know if you run into any issues.

-Dave

74bigblock · Jul 15, 2005

gmjunkie said:
Mitey Fine!,Mitey Fine! She LOOK"s Mitey Fine!! Job Well Done!!:gap :gap :dance :Twist gmjunkie!! P.S. Let me know when ya want me bring Yavette back up to Wax yer Azz!!

I already wazz'ed my ax!

80convertible · Jul 16, 2005

74bigblock... another question for you. I was inspired by your pic and decided to reinstall my diff and driveshaft at the same time. I got it installed but I can't get the bolt for the front diff bracket down thru the hole and bushings. The driveshaft is in the way and sits to close to the hole to allow the bolt thru. Any tips on how you were able to do this?

gmjunkie · Jul 16, 2005

74bigblock said:
He offered. Then he found out about the diff and offered to drive up from St. Louis!

I'd rather do it myself though... get more satisfaction out of the finished product ( I hope :L )!

The only thing I have to work on is getting the dang sway bar bolt out of the chasis... it snapped off (Driver's side front bolt on the frame rail). Without the diff, there is nothing I can do! I figure I have 4 hrs of work left on her. I can't wait!

Hell man,I was just offering to Rebuild your 3rd. member(Diffl. or Punkin) and Trailing arms! The Heavy Crap You and Muscle's was going to hafe to do that!! (You know Muscle's that own's the 65 vert with "Fishie STINKIN" floor shift) I'm to Old to be liften anything Heaver than My Willy!! ;LOL