63 rear suspension issue,imput please!

[John H.]

Re: 63 rear suspension issue,imput please!

One of mine failed several years ago - the flange on the top of the bushing where it seats on the top surface of the crossmember was weakened by corrosion, and finally sheared off. Made quite a "snap" noise when it let go and the crossmember bottomed out on the frame; photo below of the failed bushing before I replaced both of them - good to go for another 90,000 miles.

[Jeffrey A.]

Re: 63 rear suspension issue,imput please!

Joe you are absolutely correct.

[Stan E.]

Re: 63 rear suspension issue,imput please!

Both cushions were replaced. Shocks and tires are new. Anymore ideas? Thanks

[Timothy B.]

Re: 63 rear suspension issue,imput please!

Stan,

I noticed from your profile the car resides in New York area. Is there any chance there are frame issues from rust in previous life??

If the car feels unsafe to drive and you are sure everything is tightened to spec then maybe it's time to get someone experenced with C2's to have a look . It's very difficult to just guess at something like this without seeing the car and I know you don't feel like taking anything apart again..

[Stan E.]

Re: 63 rear suspension issue,imput please!

Thanks for all the imput. stan

[Gene M.]

Re: 63 rear suspension issue,imput please!

Stan,
Lets start with the easy stuff first. Check entire car sits level, all wheels are not excessive camber, toe in, toe out, and lug nuts are tight (don't mean to sound insulting). Are all shims there and rear cams tight? No cotter pins missing?

May need tape measure for toe in. Wheel bearings front and rear not loose, jack car and pull back, and forth, side to side on wheels.

If the steering was loose you would feel it in the wheel so we can discount that.

Next under the car while jacked up have helper wiggle wheel and look for any movement. The rear end yokes could wear and be loose. But it would have to be excessive to cause toe/camber change to cause your problem. But a bad u joint could cause the traits you describe. Loose u bolt possibility too.

Check rear spring very close for cracks or separations.

[Rich P.]

Re: 63 rear suspension issue,imput please!

Stan,


Jack the car up and set it on all for corners on jack stand. Put the front stands under the control arms and put the rear stands under the outer end of the strut rods in between the 2 finger supports of the spindle housing supports.
By doing this you can inspect the car at ride height. BEFORE YOU CRAWL UNDER THE CAR MAKE SURE IT IS SET SECURELY ON THE STANDS

After you check the things Gene mentioned I would try to look at the trailing arm shims. You should not be able move them. They should be locked in place. Next I would take a large at least 30" pry bar and tape the end up and then tape the frame and rear crossmsmber on the outside by the cushion and try and pry the crossmember to see if it moves. Then I would have a helper watch the rear suspension while you PRELOAD the suspension to watch for deflection. To do this you will have to step on the brakes and give it gas while feathering the clutch (Just like taking off from a stop on a very steep hill). If the problem is in the rear suspension or drive axle you will see some deflection back there.

Do all these checks with the rear wheels removed.
After you try these lets hear what you found and then go from there.

[Stan E.]

Re: 63 rear suspension issue,imput please!

Everything mentioned has been checked. All parts new and no frame problems. If the posi was locked up would the car go to the right in the rear when accelerating? Everything was OK when first assembled and at PV. Thanks! stan 19259

[Bill M.]

Re: 63 rear suspension issue,imput please!

Everything mentioned has been checked. All parts new and no frame problems. If the posi was locked up would the car go to the right in the rear when accelerating? Everything was OK when first assembled and at PV. Thanks! stan 19259

It might if the tires are different diameters (stagger).