Rear end install

[blake22]

Well last night I pulled a rear end out of my 79 parts car and cleaned it all up. Ive painted it andit looks pretty good. Since im replacing the leafs that are on the car should I put the rear end and leaf springs in as one or do the leafs then the rear end? Ijust want to make it easyer on myself. Also, does anyone know the rear leaf spring shackle bushings part numbers? The idiots at my local autozone couldn't find it

[EricsZ28]

The rear end goes on top of the leaf springs... Here is mine when with everything loosely connected. I installed it and tightened everything up (I removed the tires when I installed the assembly, lol ):



I bought my bushings from NPD...

[warped]

I can't imagine trying to install the springs and rear end together. I would install the front of the springs, then set the rear on jack stands in position and bring up the rear of the springs to the shackles. Lower the rear into position on the springs and bolt the springs to the rear. Sorry, can't give any part numbers for the bushings. Good luck.

[EricsZ28]

Actually, the locating pins and perches on the rear and leaf springs help locate the assembly. I tightened everything up enough to lock the assembly together, but still allow some play. Piece of cake.

[blake22]

Haha if you took a pic of mine and where it is it would be exactly the same!! Did you paint your cover or is that chrome? I painted mine

[blake22]

They are called "shackle bushings" right?

[fnoblitt]

national parts depot(800-235-3445) has the bushings. part#c-7524-2a $3.50 each

[frankz]

Originally Posted by warped

I can't imagine trying to install the springs and rear end together. I would install the front of the springs, then set the rear on jack stands in position and bring up the rear of the springs to the shackles. Lower the rear into position on the springs and bolt the springs to the rear. Sorry, can't give any part numbers for the bushings. Good luck.

I used to go that route also but have since built a cradle that allows me to lift the rear as an assembly.

[blake22]

Originally Posted by frankz

I used to go that route also but have since built a cradle that allows me to lift the rear as an assembly.

That sounds cool!! I might have to do that... Thanks for the number!

[EricsZ28]

Originally Posted by blake22

Haha if you took a pic of mine and where it is it would be exactly the same!! Did you paint your cover or is that chrome? I painted mine

Yeah - painted. It turned out nice.

I did eventually replace it with a TA Performance rear-end girdle cover for a little extra peace of mind. My 383 has a bit of torque and it hooks halfway decent...

[blake22]

Yeah the covers take that chrome paint good I guess. When I tightened the lift shackles the first time, only the bushings on the nut side tightened. Is that normal? It ended up splitting the already dry rotted bushing on that side the first time I drove it

[EricsZ28]

Originally Posted by blake22

Yeah the covers take that chrome paint good I guess. When I tightened the lift shackles the first time, only the bushings on the nut side tightened. Is that normal? It ended up splitting the already dry rotted bushing on that side the first time I drove it

No, they should both pull in and tighten up as the shackles press on both outside edges. Make sure there is nothing in the bushing bores in the frame rail (or spring), make sure the bushings fit in the hole, and make sure that the edge of the bushing is not hung up on the frame rail lip (or spring) and try again. Perhaps try a little grease on the bushing to get it to slide into the bore.

[blake22]

Well when I did it the bushings were old and just stuck on the leaf spring. Supposedly autozone found some and there $20 for one. Does that sound right?