70 Rear Suspension Rebuild?

[Bill L.]

I have reviewed the archives but still have concerns.

When I try to move the rear wheels in the 12/6 positions I get no movement.

When I try to move the rear wheels in the 3/9 positions I get some very discernible movement, albeit with quite a bit of pressure applied.. (Wheel bearings from what I have read)

I know the strut rods have been replaced by previous owner because they are the newer style. One of the half shafts is missing a lock. I am pretty sure the half shafts have been off the car maybe even when the struts were done. U joints are still originals.

There are 118k miles on vette. I am pretty confident that the trailing arm assemblies are way overdue for rebuilding. (Sending to Bairs) I am pretty sure all the u joints are overdue.

The differential is not leaking or making noise so I am hoping that I can save on having to rebuild the differential.

Any thoughts or suggestions are appreciated.

This all came about because I need tires (12 years old) and an alignment. It would seem to be a total waist of money for an alignment at $250.00 if a year from now I have a wheel bearing or other problem that would require disassembling the rear suspension.

How much should I save if I perform all the labor to remove and reinstall assemblies?



Thanks, Bill

[Jim T.]

Re: 70 Rear Suspension Rebuild?

I have reviewed the archives but still have concerns.

When I try to move the rear wheels in the 12/6 positions I get no movement.

When I try to move the rear wheels in the 3/9 positions I get some very discernible movement, albeit with quite a bit of pressure applied.. (Wheel bearings from what I have read)

I know the strut rods have been replaced by previous owner because they are the newer style. One of the half shafts is missing a lock. I am pretty sure the half shafts have been off the car maybe even when the struts were done. U joints are still originals.

There are 118k miles on vette. I am pretty confident that the trailing arm assemblies are way overdue for rebuilding. (Sending to Bairs) I am pretty sure all the u joints are overdue.

The differential is not leaking or making noise so I am hoping that I can save on having to rebuild the differential.

Any thoughts or suggestions are appreciated.

This all came about because I need tires (12 years old) and an alignment. It would seem to be a total waist of money for an alignment at $250.00 if a year from now I have a wheel bearing or other problem that would require disassembling the rear suspension.

How much should I save if I perform all the labor to remove and reinstall assemblies?



Thanks, Bill

Bill have you been quoted $250.00 for an alignment? One thing to watch out for when someone does a rear alignment is that the bolt that retains the alignment shims is not always tightened enough to retain the shims and they can be lost if they are the slotted type. I have over 160K on my 70's differential, no problems. I have changed the lubrication and posi-additive a few times. Both are available from GM. Removing the u-joints from the end that bolts to the spindle can be a challange. Bair's can also do your u-joints.

[Bill L.]

Re: 70 Rear Suspension Rebuild?

Hi Jim,

Thanks for your response. I was quoted $250.00 and told it could go much higher based on difficulty in removing pivot bolt. I totally trust the shop to do it right. I was also quoted about $5,000.00 to rebuild the entire rear suspension to NCRS standards.

Mine is a June 70 build date and has never been apart. Shims are non-slotted.

I thought I felt a lot of play when I grabbed the tire in the 9 and 3 positions and push/pulled. Everything I have read indicates wheel bearings and the T arms have never been off even after 118k miles.



Bill

[Jim T.]

Re: 70 Rear Suspension Rebuild?

Hi Jim,

Thanks for your response. I was quoted $250.00 and told it could go much higher based on difficulty in removing pivot bolt. I totally trust the shop to do it right. I was also quoted about $5,000.00 to rebuild the entire rear suspension to NCRS standards.

Mine is a June 70 build date and has never been apart. Shims are non-slotted.

I thought I felt a lot of play when I grabbed the tire in the 9 and 3 positions and push/pulled. Everything I have read indicates wheel bearings and the T arms have never been off even after 118k miles.



Bill

I have not had my local Goodyear store do my 70's rear wheel alignment for a few years, but the cost when it was done was not even close to $100 for front and rear alignment. I still have the computer print out of the alignment figures before and after the computer alignment. The pivot bolt was removed with no rusted in place problems. If Bair's does your trailing arms and u-joints you will save a lot of money from what you were quoted ($5,000.00) for a "NCRS" restoration.
Keep your shims identified in the present locations when you remove them for reinstallation with your rebuilt arms.