Back on all four wheels

[David H.]

Thought I would update all on my progress lately.
My chassis is back on all four wheels as of today!
The rear axle gave me fits, but finally seems to be in place.
The only question was the stabilizer links. They would not line up properly when installed as shown in all the pictures I could find.
I had to install them with the open part of the bracket facing the back of the car. Installing them the other way stretched everything including the bushings under the u-bolts. Turning them around lined them up perfectly. Go figure!
New brake lines and emergency brake cables are in and I was able to find two new NOS rear cylinders. The front cylinders I was able to salvage with a good hone.
So, I have a rolling chassis ready and waiting for the engine, transmission to be installed.
I want to thank all who have helped me along to this point. I couldn't have done it without you. I really appreciate you helping a rookie Corvetter reach his goal of a rolling chassis by winter. At this point I am ahead of the game.

[Richard M.]

Re: Back on all four wheels

David......Congrats. Looking good!

It is best to leave the front and rear stabilizer links unconnected at the top mounts until after the full weight of the engine & body, etc is on the car. That is likely why the rear gave you trouble. It is also recommended to leave the front connection of the radius rods loosely connected until all of the weight is there too. The brackets are slotted to allow them to be tightened later. I recall the ST12 talks about these procedures also.

Rich
edit....p.s. I just noticed the rear rebound straps are not attached. You can use ratchet straps to snug up one side at a time to get them lined up and attached. Once installed the axle will be closer to the upper crossmember and your rear link should line up properly.

[Valeria H.]

Re: Back on all four wheels

Make sure the rebound straps are rivited in place. Points will be deducted if they are fastened in any other way.
Valeria

[Jerry W.]

Re: Back on all four wheels

David good news on your rolling chassis........I noticed that the extended mtg. bolt and rubber cushions for the torsion bar seems to be at an extreme angle to the frame mtg pad.

Mine is mounted opposite of yours but not yet in service. I checked the ST-12 and Nolands book and yours seems to match the book....Can anyone varify that mine needs to be reversed to be like David's ? see pic attached.

[Jerry W.]

Re: Back on all four wheels

David....Thanks for posting the pic of your progress....My rear torsion bar mtg is not correct....your post has saved me some grief later on.

We're all in this together. Thanks again.

[David H.]

Re: Back on all four wheels

Thanks Richard for the input. I will disconnect the stabilizer links as you suggested. I thought of that when trying to connect them. Makes sense that without the weight of the body/engine on them, they would not line up properly.
Jerry, the first picture on my post is of the rear stabilizer links with no weight on the frame. I took them off and reversed them in order to get them connected, but that is incorrect. The open side of the bracket should be facing the front of the car and the link should be nearly verticle. Richard suggests that I wait until body and engine are installed to connect these for proper alignment, which I will do. I am glad you caught the link assembly boo-boo. The picture I attached here shows it before I took it apart. I believe this is correct assembly.
Richard, after this picture was taken I continued with connecting the rebound straps by placing a two by four between the rear crossmember and the floor joist above and jacking the rear axle up with a floor jack. This raised the axle without raising the frame and I was able to connect my straps. I was able to use the original straps that were on the car however they were connected with 1/4 x 20 bolts and nuts and washers. Are the rivets easy to find and use? Thanks Valeria for you input on the rivets and straps. I hope to find the rivets to do it correctly.

[Jerry W.]

Re: Back on all four wheels

thanks for the original configuration pic of the stablizer bar mtg......mine was not mtd. when i bought the car but i carried in around in the trunk for 35 years....better late than never to get it mtd correctly....mounting it incorrectly is easy to do......looks right....but not functional