Many moons ago I removed all rear suspension components (sway bar, leaf spring, half shafts, strut rods and trailing arms). I had the trailing arms rebuilt by Bairs. I cleaned up the other parts and replaced all rubber items and bushings. The half shaft u-joints were replaced by a local shop.
During removal I carefully noted the thickness and position of each TA shim. They're in excellent condition, but I purchased a shim kit from Bairs and after reading many of the posts on this forum, I'm leaning towards using their slotted shims and cotter pin. My original shims are the version with two holes and no cotter pin (there is a hole for the cotter pin in the frame).
I've loosely reconnected the strut rods (camber marks noted upon removal) and half shafts at the differential. I've read many posts about reinstalling TAs and plan to support the spindle end with straps to approximate riding height...hopefully to minimize difficulty connecting the half shaft flange.
Finally to my questions - Should the leaf spring be mounted before I set the TA in place and install the shims and bolt? The car is on jack stands and having the leaf spring in place will further reduce overall accessibility.
What is the remaining sequence of steps? (If these follow what I've done so far.) As I see them, the "major" steps are:
1. install TA
2. install the lower shock mount at TA
3. install the strut rod to the lower shock mount
4. install the half shaft flange to the TA (with French locks)
5. install shocks
6. mount the leaf spring (if not done previously)
7. attach the leaf spring end to the TA
8. install sway bar and associated pieces and parts
9. attach brake lines and parking brake cable
Much of this is from a tech article on corvettemagazine.com.
I think I've read that the camber bolts and leaf spring mount bolts (at the differential) shouldn't be torqued until the car is back on the ground. Correct?
What have I missed?
Next - off to a professional shop for alignment.
Thanks folks,
Mike
During removal I carefully noted the thickness and position of each TA shim. They're in excellent condition, but I purchased a shim kit from Bairs and after reading many of the posts on this forum, I'm leaning towards using their slotted shims and cotter pin. My original shims are the version with two holes and no cotter pin (there is a hole for the cotter pin in the frame).
I've loosely reconnected the strut rods (camber marks noted upon removal) and half shafts at the differential. I've read many posts about reinstalling TAs and plan to support the spindle end with straps to approximate riding height...hopefully to minimize difficulty connecting the half shaft flange.
Finally to my questions - Should the leaf spring be mounted before I set the TA in place and install the shims and bolt? The car is on jack stands and having the leaf spring in place will further reduce overall accessibility.
What is the remaining sequence of steps? (If these follow what I've done so far.) As I see them, the "major" steps are:
1. install TA
2. install the lower shock mount at TA
3. install the strut rod to the lower shock mount
4. install the half shaft flange to the TA (with French locks)
5. install shocks
6. mount the leaf spring (if not done previously)
7. attach the leaf spring end to the TA
8. install sway bar and associated pieces and parts
9. attach brake lines and parking brake cable
Much of this is from a tech article on corvettemagazine.com.
I think I've read that the camber bolts and leaf spring mount bolts (at the differential) shouldn't be torqued until the car is back on the ground. Correct?
What have I missed?
Next - off to a professional shop for alignment.
Thanks folks,
Mike
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