Dropping the rear
- Thread starter RsStanG1987
- Start date
Yes, first support the rear end from dropping with a jack/support under center of diff. You need to do this so when you unbolt the shocks so the springs won't pop out and KILL you! Then before you totally drop/lower the rear end out or really low, disconnect the rear brake hose above the center of the axle. If you drop the rear end too far down the hose will break! Then its off to the parts store to buy a new one. I just did trailing arms in my GT and followed this procedure and everything came out OK. 
Depending on whether or not you want to slide it out from under the car you may want to undo the e-brake cables as well. Other than that, not too bad of a job. I swapped the rear end and control arms in my wife's t-top car in one afternoon/evening to install the built rear end I fixed up for her. Take your time and be careful.
rd
Founding Member
I suggest:
Jack it by the frame just forward of the lower arms.
Pull the wheels, disconnect the driveshaft, and remove the brake drums.
Remove the differential cover and drain it, pull the cross pin and c clips.
Remove the axles.
Disconnect the brake backing plates and the hard lines and flex hose from the axle. Hang the brakes from the fenders with wire. You do not have to disconnect or break into the brake system. The e brake also stays connected.
Disconnect the swaybar.
With the car and the axle supported, separately, put the jack under the rear lower arms and remove the shock and the bolt at the axle end, and lower carefully, and remove the spring. Note that you must support the axle so that it does not rotate and fall forward when you take the next to last and last bolts out. It is an awkward mutha to control if you are not ready for it.
Disconnect the upper arms last, although you may want to break the bolts loose while everything is still in place so that you have better leverage and control.
Disconnect the upper arms and remove the housing.
Assembly is mostly the reverse.
Jack it by the frame just forward of the lower arms.
Pull the wheels, disconnect the driveshaft, and remove the brake drums.
Remove the differential cover and drain it, pull the cross pin and c clips.
Remove the axles.
Disconnect the brake backing plates and the hard lines and flex hose from the axle. Hang the brakes from the fenders with wire. You do not have to disconnect or break into the brake system. The e brake also stays connected.
Disconnect the swaybar.
With the car and the axle supported, separately, put the jack under the rear lower arms and remove the shock and the bolt at the axle end, and lower carefully, and remove the spring. Note that you must support the axle so that it does not rotate and fall forward when you take the next to last and last bolts out. It is an awkward mutha to control if you are not ready for it.
Disconnect the upper arms last, although you may want to break the bolts loose while everything is still in place so that you have better leverage and control.
Disconnect the upper arms and remove the housing.
Assembly is mostly the reverse.
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