I have the body back on, and I am finding that even with the full weight of the body ,the rear shocks seem to short to reach the lower mount. do i need to tighten the spring bushings more and if so what would be the proper torque. Also, my 64 coupe has a 71 HD rear differential but retains the stock trailing arms. are the shock specs different. Gary
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Re: C2 Rear Suspension
I usually have to lift the trailing arms up until I can then attach the shocks. This is not unusual.
Sometimes if you roll the vehicle forward and backward for a car length or two it will settle down so you don't have to do this, but it usually seems like I'm not in a position to do that when I'm reinstalling shocks.
PatrickVice-Chairman (West), Michigan Chapter NCRS
71 "deer modified" coupe
72 5-Star Bowtie / Duntov coupe. https://www.flickr.com/photos/124695...57649252735124
2008 coupe
Available stickers: Engine suffix code, exhaust tips & mufflers, shocks, AIR diverter valve broadcast code. -
Re: C2 Rear Suspension
If you've installed a typical aftermarket spring, it will cause the rear to be 2-3" too high and make connecting the shock difficult. The solution, other than a different spring, is to install longer bolts between the trailing arm and spring ends.Comment
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Re: C2 Rear Suspension
Gary------
If by "spring bushings" you are referring to the rubber cushions retained by the long bolts on either end of the spring, there is no way to "tighten these up". The slotted nut on the bottom end of the bolt is simply turned down until it bottoms on the shoulder of the bolt, just above the threads. There is no "torque" applied to this nut.
With respect to any shock specification difference between a 1964 and 1971 which would affect your installation, there is no difference which would affect you.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: C2 Rear Suspension
Joe, your right I meant the cushions and I did not tighten the slotted nut enough to bottom out on the shoulder. Is that where it should be, or just enough to set the cotter pin on each side. GaryComment
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Re: C2 Rear Suspension
Joe,
Are those rubber spring cushions still available from GM?Comment
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Re: C2 Rear Suspension
Tim - they are pn 3831586 in Gr 7.545 and believe they are still available.
PS, I put new one's in just before a show and got a deduction for them being too fat, so put in well ahead of time
so they will look natural.Comment
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Re: C2 Rear Suspension
Thanks Alan, I want to replace the old cushions on my 67.Comment
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In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: C2 Rear Suspension
Those cushions compress and harden because they are carrying all the rear weight of the car 24/7.
They should be replaced about every 5 years, certainly every 10, even if the car is hardly driven.Compressed spin link cushions are the most common cause of "spring sag".
Things aren't always what they seem to be.
Compressed cushions should get a condition deduction.
DukeComment
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Re: C2 Rear Suspension
Will changing these spring cushions change the rear alignment from where it was set with the old compressed cushions?
ThanksComment
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Re: C2 Rear Suspension
If I'm going to replace these cushions while car is sitting on wheels/tires, will I have to put a jack stand under each end of spring to hold it up while I change out cushions?Comment
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Re: C2 Rear Suspension
First remove the cotter pin and be sure you can turn the nut. Use a penetrant if necessary to free them up. Then with the car on a level surface and the front wheels double choked, use a floor jack with a wood block as far outboard as possible on the spring to remove tension from the bolt.
Wiggle the car side to side to be sure everything is stable, then remove the nut, bolt and swap out the cushions. There will be some side force on the jack, which is why you want it as far outboard as possible and ensure that it is laterally stable, so use all due caution.
DukeComment
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