I'm working on re-installing the rear end on my 83 GS after having completely removed everything for freshening up. I took out the whole housing, diff, all the control arms, shocks, springs, etc. I got an LSD pumpkin to put in the rear end, some Racing Beat springs, Tokico Blues, and new parts for the rear brakes. Anyway, here is what I need to know.

Right now I'm stuck waiting on some parts to arrive in the mail. But, I'd like to keep working on the car if possible. I am replacing the black rubber isolators that go at the top of the rear springs. My old ones were rotten, so I went ahead and ordered some more. I've already got the housing installed on the car along with the control arms. What is the last possible point at which you can install the Racing Beat rear springs without any difficulty? They are a little bit shorter than the stock ones. Can you just jack up the car and let the rear end hang down, while you take them on or off?

I'd like to go ahead and put the new shocks on, put the diff back in the housing, seal it up, hook up the brake cables, attach the drive shaft, all that good stuff. But if I have to end up undoing all my work when those stupid rubber isolators finally show up in the mail, forget it.

Advice? Thanks in advance...

Jamie

 

Install it all, you might need to pull the shocks off to install the springs, no biggie

 

Thanks for the help! Expect to see some pictures soon!

 

I was about to ask for piccies

 

Sweet. I like pictures.
I think it should be fine to have the rear end hang while trying to install the springs, as long as you have a spring compressor if they don't somewhat slide in since the RB springs are shorter than the stocks.

 

I was hoping that I could just slide them in at the end and then drop the car back down to the ground. I painted all of the springs and they look like brand new, so I don't wanna use the spring compressor really....

 

Well... You could always just have jack stands holding the housing in its current location, unbolt it, raise the car up just enough to slide the springs in, drop the car back down to align up with the housing, and then bolt it back up. I think that might be the best way to do it if you don't want to use a spring compressor and you don't have to lift/hold/etc the heavy housing. You got the jacks doing that work. Maybe someone else has a better route for you.

 

I had to unbolt the control arms to drop down the rearend far enough to get the springs in. No big deal.

 

Naw, with everything connected I could just jack it up and slip the springs in or out. You'll be alright Hammy.

 

Kind of makes you wonder, if you get enough air... your springs might slip out.. heh