Sweet Ryde Rear and Driveshaft Installation

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Sweet Ryde Vette Rear and Driveshaft Installation

Sweet Ryde Vette Rear

To match the Corvette front suspension, what could be better than using one of our "Sweet Ryde" Vette rear suspension kits? In order to properly set up the any of the Corvette rear ends, the stock spring needs to be removed and the half shafts leveled and straight. A 2 x 4 and some blocks were used in place of the spring Mark has emphasized that a plumb bob, level and degree finder are the additional tools needed for the easiest installation possible. The strut rods were switched for a pair of beefier poly-adjustable strut rods from Corvette Central. They were also Mark's choice as a source for the rear end rebuild kits. To improve the appearance and provide durability, the half shafts and bracketry were coated by AirBorn Coatings. Note that Mark mounted a square tube to the frame rails to keep them from pulling during this installation. A scissors jack was use to hold the pinion at the correct angle during installation.

Using marks locating the rear axle centerline (which was determined by centering the wheels and tires in the fender openings before removing the body) notches were cut in the boxing plates to allow the rear crossmember to slide into place. Keeping the pinion angle in mind, Mark tack welded the the rear crossmember in place.

Next, Mark installed the trailing arm brackets and gussets into position and tack welded.

The pinion tube was then trimmed to fit between the frame rails and installed with the pinion support. At this point Mark removed the square temporary tube connecting the frame rails.

Mark chose to use Aldan shocks on the rear to match the front Aldan Coil-overs. Mark changed the lower mounts by swapping the driver's side to the passengers side. This requires a new flat put on the mounts at 14 degrees inboard (rotated slightly down to the center of the car). A piece of tubing simulated the shock at ride height so that the top brackets could be positioned 14 degrees forward at the top.

At this time, Mark final welded the rear crossmember to the inside of the frame rails. Additional boxing was then trimmed and used to fill in the back of the rear crossmember. Mark also rough aligned the Corvette rear.

Driveshaft

Mark called us back up to have a custom drive shaft made. The proper way to do this is to push the slip yoke into the transmission until it bottoms out, them pull it back out 1".

*This isn't as critical on a fixed or solid mounted rear center section like the Corvette. However, on any other moving rear center section, you need to allow the driveshaft to slip in and out without dropping out or beating against the rear seal.

Mark gave us the dimension from center of u-joint cap on the rear to the center of the u-joint cap on the front. The driveshaft was then forwarded, without u-joints, to AirBorn Coatings. Once the coated driveshaft returned to Mark, it was assembled into the chassis.