1966 original T/A's

[Gary R.]

Hey guys,I have a stone stock untouched set of '66 T/A's in from a corvette buddy. These are a very nice example of what original arms in nice shape should look like. The rotors were still riveted on but will be built with flat heads to allow future access if needed. There have been threads recently on whether an old original arm should be rebuilt. Take a look and decide. These were in great shape but there was NO grease on the bearings or in the well. This car is exceptional, wish it was mine!Hope it helps answer some of the recent questions posted.This is how I recommend you remove the rivets, it has worked for me for years without any damage to the spindle flanges. You will see the rivet bodies are still in the flange to be removed later.The rotors are like new, only a DA on the surface is required.Wasp nest was found in the armOriginal tabbed inner seal. I like the new CR seals much better then the square edge type seal.Parking brakes were seized and upper spring broken- very commonI drive out the spindles instead of pressing them. Works faster and safer. Without damage.Hyatt bearings were the originals used until they became New Departure-Hyatt during the early C3 run.No rust separation here, this is a common area to see the plate pushed out by rust.Arm apart, all major parts are still good and will be reused. USA Timken bearings will be setup as well NO imported bearings as long as we can still get USA made.Hope yours are as nice as these, If you want to see the final product let me know and I'll post some pic's.Good luck, keep driving them!

[Steven S.]

Re: 1966 original T/A's

Nice writeup Gary! Anything on the agenda for Carlisle this year?

[Gary R.]

Re: 1966 original T/A's

Nice writeup Gary! Anything on the agenda for Carlisle this year?

Hi Steve,
Yes I'll be holding a 63-82 differential seminar on Sat at noon,building R. I won't be putting much time into the 80-82 diffs since they are not a favorite of mine. Good to hear from you again, hope to see you there.

[Steven S.]

Re: 1966 original T/A's

Sounds great, I hope to attend. See you then!

[Joe R.]

Re: 1966 original T/A's

Gary,

Sure, I'd like to see the final product!

Joe

[Jim T.]

Re: 1966 original T/A's

Some clean and repack front wheel bearings and continue to use them, do you clean and repack rear wheel bearings and reuse them or always use new ones?

[Gary R.]

Re: 1966 original T/A's

Jim
I would never reuse rear bearings, they are pressed on and most times will be damaged removing them. There is absolutely no added value in attempting to reuse original bearings even if they appear good. I only use New USA Timkens.

[Gary R.]

Re: 1966 original T/A's

As requested here are some pic's of these arms. I reused the original rotors and backing plates. They came out real nice and should last for many years to come.

[Timothy B.]

Re: 1966 original T/A's

Gary,

That's very nice work, can you tell me where to get the countersunk screws that attach the rotors and what bit you use to countersink them. I need to get some shim stock because I have one side with .008 run out and the other with .005 so I want to fix it right.

[Gary R.]

Re: 1966 original T/A's

Thanks Tim,
These arms are mint and I have a lot more pictures but didn't post them because someone would probably complain. I'll shoot you a PM
Gary

[Tim T.]

Re: 1966 original T/A's

Gary,
Please PM the pics to me also, I would love to see them.
See you @ Carlisle. The one thing I never worry about on my SWC is the differential, thanks to you.
Tim Tschanz

[Gary R.]

Re: 1966 original T/A's

Gary,
Please PM the pics to me also, I would love to see them.
See you @ Carlisle. The one thing I never worry about on my SWC is the differential, thanks to you.
Tim Tschanz

Hi Tim
Glad to hear you're still out there driving that 63 SWC, it's a real beauty. When I get back in I'll shoot you some pictures of this job, I think you'll appreciate them. Hope to see you at Carlisle again, try and make the differential seminar on Sat at noon. I plan on having some demo's there that are similar to your build in case you want to see it first hand how the posi was built.
Gary

[Gary R.]

Re: 1966 original T/A's

Hi Guys
I have recieved several requests for more pictures and Dick allowed me to post some more. This is only a small fraction of what I have but should be enough to show the different areas without going too deep into detail. If you have specific questions let me know or see me at Carlisle.

The spindle flanges get beat up on the faces. I recondition them and grind them. They come out better then new. These had surface rust and dirt on them but no heavy pitting or stripped threads.







The spindle spacers also get beat up. These you have to check or you may find the endplay once pressed on is not what you thought. Also you have to be careful dressing them, sometimes I have to grind off 005-010" and the spacer will be parallel but won't work and will have to be replaced.








Do the same with the spindles once you are sure they are still good.








Here are those rivet bodies removed



Some asked about the flat head installation

[Gary R.]

Re: 1966 original T/A's

I forgot to show the finished shafts. These were blasted,etched, POR15 and top coated. Orginally they were not painted but this car is going to be driven and the best protection was applied. Now which shafts will be used on this car???