Back on the
workbench, the Watts linkage bellcrank is installed
onto the rear crossmember. Here the links are
installed onto the bellcrank using white grease at
every juncture to eliminate resistance and noise.
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With the Watts
linkage attached, the rear crossmember is lifted
into position in the car.
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The required holes in
the floorpan are made for the fasteners that
reinforce the shock mounting area.
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Back at the
workbench, the rear axle housing is prepared. New
U-bolts are installed over the freshly painted
axlehousing. Next the lower shock brackets seen here
are attached to the axle housing. This elaborate
bracket receives the lower end of the coilover shock
absorber, the Watts linkage ends, and the rear
trailing arms.
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On the rear of the
car, these special spacers are used to locate the
upper end of the Koni coilover shock assembly. It's
a snug fit designed to allow no lateral movement.
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The rear crossmember
is shown installed onto the car with the coilover
shocks in place. Any movement of the Watts linkage
bellcrank would interfere with the fuel-pickup
arrangement as it is now, so the location for the
fuel line at the aftermarket tank will have to be
changed. The project is now ready for the rear
axlehousing.
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Two Autoworks
technicians install the axle-housing into the car.
One holds the housing steady while the other
completes attachments at the lower shocks.
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Once again, the shock
is located by two spacers of differing thicknesses.
Here, the long spacer is in place while the thinner
spacer is in hand.
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Once the lower spacer
is centered over the opening, a plastic mallet is
used to drive the bolt through the assembly. It will
be capped with a nylon locknut.
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The outer ends of the
Watts link assembly are lubed and installed into
position on the lower shock bracket.
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Once centered in the
opening, the large 11/42-inch bolt is easily
installed. It will also be capped with a nylon
collared lock nut.
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