Rear end alignment issue

[Baker7888]

I unfastened both lowers on my El Camino while leaving the uppers connected and it still made me jump. The car was on stands and the diff was supported by a jack in what I thought was a "normal" position.

I think when assembling I'm going to attach the lowers first since they're nearly straight and it should be easier to line up the second bolt after starting the first. The uppers being at such an angle just makes things difficult- you adjust up and down using a jack that moves on an arc and can roll front to back but not side to side.

I also think the springs are complicating things for you- since they're not 100% perfectly straight vertical they're moving things rearward. The rear swings on an arc so your springs will curve slightly as they compress. I'm assuming that the bolt was removed while the car was elevated somehow but it'll be under some sort of pressure/twist any time the car isn't resting at ride height. This seems like a situation where removing other parts and fasteners might actually save some time over fighting the single one you wish to remove, although I would have done the same thing. I recently went through a similar situation with my exhaust where I fought it both ways because I didn't wish to remove every single piece.

I propose that the easiest way would be to unbolt the lower shock mounts and remove the springs before wrestling with the differential at all. I could see me fighting to align a C.A. mount much longer than that would take. I'd even consider removing the driveshaft if the C.A. bolt(s) were to be removed again as it provides more resistance to any adjustments in addition to two springs and shocks as well as bushings that are being articulated. You had to fight half a dozen things to line up the bolt holes.

Wow funny you say that. I ended up removing driveshaft, shock mount lower control arm to get it to go. I found the lca mount on the rear end is easier to fight last because the pocket it sits in on the axle is a good pry point. Do you know of a good spring compressor? I have an inside and an outside but neither fit. I have the rear lifted for a touch (see avatar) so springs are always under some tension. Our roads out here in the woods are also bad so a little clearance is nice. I made that mistake before with a lowered camaro that would bottom if you weren’t on your toes everywhere. I found pulling down on rear of car helped but i couldn’t do both at the same time.

 

[Baker7888]

Maybe the driveshaft is "too long" and the splines at the tailshaft have bottomed out. The bolt holes at the second control arm would be a tight fit no matter which side is installed first.

I hope this isnt the case. I spoke with a transmission specialist when i did the install and he mentioned to keep an eye on the yoke stickout. It seems to be within spec.

 

[Sweet_Johnny]

Wow funny you say that. I ended up removing driveshaft, shock mount lower control arm to get it to go. I found the lca mount on the rear end is easier to fight last because the pocket it sits in on the axle is a good pry point. Do you know of a good spring compressor? I have an inside and an outside but neither fit. I have the rear lifted for a touch (see avatar) so springs are always under some tension. Our roads out here in the woods are also bad so a little clearance is nice. I made that mistake before with a lowered camaro that would bottom if you weren’t on your toes everywhere. I found pulling down on rear of car helped but i couldn’t do both at the same time.

I know just what you mean about that little pocket- I haven't removed all 4 in a long time but recently did my lowers, springs, and shocks and that's just what I did.

As for a spring compressor for the rear, no, I don't know of a good one. For replacing front springs I like the type that's basically 2 plates and a long bolt but it's useless out back. I guess you could load the trunk with bricks, wrap a chain around the spring, and then remove the bricks?

 

[gnvair]

I have done them one at a time with the weight on the wheels. When you do it that way, the bolts will slide back in with no issues.

 

[bracketchev1221]

If you have it up in the air, with the rear end hanging, just expect it to move. The rear end doesn't really travel its full arc without getting into binding. So when you try to pull the bolts out or put them in, you will most likely have a hard time getting them out, or back in. Even my 70 Chevelles have had the same issue, so its not just the G-body cars ,

 

[abbey castro]

Remove sway bar as the bar puts tension on the lca's as far as a spring compressor, why? Rear springs are not in compression as long as the shocks are unbolted at the bottom. Why would someone bring up yoke stickout or driveshaft length? Wasn't everything ok until you decided to put a exhaust bracket in! Next thing someone will bring up is do you have the correct trans crossmember distance! Geeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

 

[abbey castro]

all because you disconnect an upper ca to put in a bracket? I must have missed what else you changed in your write-up.