59 Rear Suspension Assembly

[John F.]

[John H.]

Re: 59 Rear Suspension Assembly

John -

The rear axle/springs have to be compressed to normal ride height in order to install the radius rods (and the rebound straps); that's what the plant did after securing the axle U-bolts. There should be a diagram in the UPC 4 section of the Assembly Manual that shows the correct normal ride height dimension between the top of the axle tube and the bottom of the frame rail directly above the axle tube.

[John F.]

Re: 59 Rear Suspension Assembly

So the U bolts should be tightened onto the spring first then compress the axle/springs? Is it easer to install the front or the rear strut rod first?

[Richard M.]

Re: 59 Rear Suspension Assembly

I mount the rear shackles first on each rear spring, then bring in the axle, attach U-bolts to keep from moving, then attach the front spring mounts. I then connect the radius rods at the axle, but not torqued, then the front radius rod mounts, but kept loose until body on. The front mount hole is slotted not round.

To attach rebound straps, I use heavy duty ratchet straps attached to frame upper crossmember and to the axle at each shock mount area to get the axle raised. Then doing the rebound straps is easy. It's a pain to do them with the body on.

You might see some of what I'm talking about here on a page of my website when I reassembled the frame on a '59. The rear axle pics are near the end of the page.

Rich

Website

if the link doesn't work go here then to the 59 project page.

[William L.]

Re: 59 Rear Suspension Assembly

Hello Richard,
I went to your website and I have to say you do some nice work! I have been down this road before on a 64 and a 58 replacing the front clips and it is a long process. I like your fiberglass work, you definately know what you are doing.


Regards, Bill

[Richard M.]

Re: 59 Rear Suspension Assembly

Hi Bill......thanks. I really love to do this stuff and it's much fun for me.....well most of the time. It is, however, a tremendous amount of work. I get much pleasure at the end of a project when I look at the before-and-after photos.

Rich

[Troy P.]

Re: 59 Rear Suspension Assembly

Rich, did you ever find the banding tool you were looking for? I have made a crimper very inexpensively. I was thinking of writing an article on the subject for On Solid Ground. Meanwhile I can send photos to show you how.

I do not have a tool to pull on the banding though. Really didn't need it.

If interested send me an email troy.pyles@comcast.net

[Richard M.]

Re: 59 Rear Suspension Assembly

Troy, yes I'd like to see what you used. I did find one and there's a thread here showing what I used.

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...=band&uid=3864

Rich
p.s. email sent too

[John F.]

Re: 59 Rear Suspension Assembly

I have to be doing something wrong here. I've compressed the spring to the rear cross member and it's still short 3/4 inch on the radius arm/strut rod to the front frame connection. any suggestions would be fantastic. See attachements.

[Tom P.]

Re: 59 Rear Suspension Assembly

John,
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the rear of the leaves have to go OVER THE TOP of the rear cross member. The shackle goes up, not down and notice the depression out toward the end of the cross member-------------------that's where the end of the leaves lay. Sorry.

[John F.]

Re: 59 Rear Suspension Assembly

makes sense now...i knew I was doing something stupid. THANKS!