"While you're in there" gone horribly wrong... bushing replacement
 

As usual, it began innocently. Unfortunately, the road to bankruptcy and divorce is paved with good intentions. Read on, if you dare.

The only thing I neglected to do on my '72's mechanical restoration was replace the trailing arm bushings. I figured I better get on it, while the engine and transmission were out and I had some downtime on the project.

I quickly tore apart the suspension, managing not to ignore how ugly all the hardware was. The trailing arms came out easily, and it wasn't until I had the first arm poised in the vice that I noticed how rusty and grimy it was. I went after it with some degreaser and made a clean spot...then started stripping with a wire wheel...hmm, better get these brake pieces off for better access...next thing I knew, both trailing arms were stripped bare, all the hardware from the rear end was bagged and inventoried, and I was tearing apart my garage looking for anything steel to send out for plating. I got to 150 pounds worth of hardware and parts before I got the sickness back under control.

The results, you see below. I plated everything from the spring plates to the tiny screws that hold the wires in the rear fuse block in yellow cadmium. Reassembly begins next week when I get back from the beach. Stay tuned...

Edit: See page 2 for tons of updated photos!

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1151551614.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1151551670.jpg

All I can say is wow.
The ziplock bag of parts I am sending in now makes me feel inferior.
Is this some sort of peer pressure tactic?!?!

Kirk
(And how much did all that cost?!?!)
And can that glass coffee table really hold all that?

I am never shocked on this website. I want to do this.

Yeah...now I understand why my wife gets all excited and wild-eyed in jewelry stores.

Gold is good.

As humans we are fascinated by shiny objects. When presented with 150 lbs. worth, we are transfixed, and spend 8 straight hours cataloging them...

Cost? Heh...too painful to talk about. Cad is not cheap.

That is just nuts.

But I like it:D Keep us updated. Love to see it put together.

Oh lordy.........

You're not going to want to drive when it's back together.

have to agree with Uk Carrera :)

But man will that car look nice when you,re done with it ! love this kind of posts on Pelican. Good luck on getting everything back together.


Cheers,

Been compulsive long? :) Looks nice, keep us updated with the reassembly pics.

The first step is admitting you have a problem, only then can you begin the road to recovery. Good luck man.

Wow! I get both envious and overwhelmed at the same time. That is quite an undertaking.

I'm torn between doing something like that to my car or something easier and less complicated like building an airplane from scratch.

Keep fighting the good fight!

ROFL, looks amazing, but reminds me of Smaug's horde from the Hobbit ;) All you need is a watchful dragon!

http://smaug.unile.it/smaug2.jpg

I love gold!!!
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1151583650.jpg

Dave, get the car on the road so we can see it!!! :D

Dave, you're sick. :)

All that glitters is not gold... sometimes you have to pay more for it ;)

you are not helping me with my marriage with this kind of encouragement!

-Michael

That will make the difference in a car that someone just did the outside easy stuff and a car that is truely restored. There is nothing complicated about that.........just lots of good old fashioned hard work.........that will pay off huge in the years to come.

The newest part on that car is at least 34 years old. Good to do that now instead of ignoring it. That is the difference between a "amatuer" resto and a professional one. You go girl!

Man, this is like group therapy. I feel so much better now. Thanks, guys. I feel like I'm over step 1. Only 11 more to go on the road to wellness.

Reassembly could start tonight...stay tuned.

I dont know where you found all those damn bolt because I have my complete car torn down and dont have anywhere near that amount .

Looks great . Just wondering did you have to sandblast all the bolts ? or do the platers do it? Also how much?
Thanks

I am getting mine done in 1 weeks.

Are you doing that on the coffee table? Or is it just a very nice bench for the garage? Some wife !

There is nothing better than re-installing nice clean parts.
I feel your pocketbook pain :)
More pics please.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1151591133.jpg