Like Christmas time, GM Performance 350, machined for stroker kit
yea none of that was an issue.. i used a wrench on the backing plate bolts came out no problem . i seen people use impacts and they snap tho yea . and the pivot post was not a problem either . 1/2" air gun blasted it off no problem.Backing plate replacement? BWAA-Ha-Ha-Ha. Let's see, the two small bolts at the bottom might come out, or they might break. If your plates have been replaced in the past then you might have through bolts which could be either metric or fractional. The main event is the upper shoe pivot which is also the third bolt that holds the backing plate to the flange on the axle end. The nut is either a crimp or a stover, meaning it was deliberately deformed during manufacture so that when it is run down onto its threads, it will grab them and not require a lock washer or loctite. it is likely to also be metric. If you are not worried about saving any of it, stuff a rag into the axle end to keep the cuttings and dust from getting into the tube and have at 'er with a 4.5 mini-grinder and a razor blade. Just be careful not to cut into the flange and do wear a dust mask; rust and metal dust will play h*ll with your lungs.
When you get a peek at the new upper shoe pivot pin you will see that it has flats machined at 180 degrees to each other. Big combination wrench or size large crescent wrench. Use your first picture for reference, One flat usually lays at 12 oclock and the other at six. That gets you the space at the bottom that the wheel cylinder needs to seat into its pocket properly. (Not going to ask if you're having fun yet, this exercies is not fun, more like a major PITA.)
To your list of parts noted above, i would also add the axle bearings and seals unless they come as allied parts with the axles.
Also, since you have had the housing cleaned, just wondering here if you are going to paint it or have it powder coated? Epoxy and Poly-Urethane are both durable finishes that can go on post assembly. Powder is more $$$ but the finish is brutally durable. Only thing with it is that you have to chase all the threads prior to assembly or the bolts or studs will bind.
One last item. For myself I am at the point where new shocks will shortly be required. All shocks apparently come with the lower stud assembly, the stud itself, along with the cup washers, lock washers, and nuts, included. You haven't mentioned what shape your existing shock studs were in or how much wrestling with them you had to do to get the old shocks off. It's one of those, "While You're There" situations.
Nick
HAVE YOU CONSIDERED BRAZING THE TUBE, NICK???Watched the rain fall, shot the first coat of the Rust Check, discovered that the dipstick tube on my 5.3 was completely adamant about remaining in its tight little hole, and ended up having to clip the mounting bracket off it so that I could finish removing the passenger exhaust manifold because my eyes were not deceiving me, it had cracked completely around the runner tube. Not broken off, just an ugly fine split that kept on going until it came back to itself. Part of me says to introduce it to my MIG and see what transpires. Another part says what will transpire is "SNAP!!!" as the damaged section parts company with the balance of the casting. STill another says to bring it with when I make my next visit to the yard and see what the Ouch will be for a another. And the last part is thinking "Hedders" which part is question is now taking a mential beating from all the others because I have no budget for fancy-schmancy tubing that would commit suicide after a winter or two of local driving.
Nick
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