Can someone give me an idea on the bolt sizes for the rear suspension install. I need the Upper and lower control arm bolts, shocks, and a diagram if anyone has it. I'm a rookie trying to put this car back together so please help!

Thanks!
Matt

Matt,

You need to get a factory assembly manual and the chassis service manual. It will help you with the torque specs and what direction the bolt is suppose to go.

I bought the grade 8 bolts necessary from one of the major parts vendors. My 70 factory assembly manual stated that the upper control bolts that attached to the rear were slightly different, but I couldn't get them. I purchased the same 8 bolts with the nuts. Think I bought them from OPGI, but I would check with this web sites sponsor http://www.ss396.com. No I'm not affiliated with them, I just would steer away from OPGI due too their arrogance. I believe this was the OPGI part number CH21441. Yup, just verified that is what I used.

Make sure you use washers were specified to prevent galling of the metal.

Again, consult you factory assembly manual, it is your friend.

Also, if you are restoring that rear end, you’ll need to replace the bushing with (my preference) polyurethane bushings. Take your control arms along with the bushings to any machine shop to get them replaced prior to reinstalling.

It doesn’t pay to half-ass the job. Getting late here and my eyes are tired, feel free to ask any other questions...I just went through this and not for the first time.

Thanks much for the help. I have already replaced all bushings (poly) and even boxed the lowers. I work for a fastener distributor so I can get any bolts I need, I just wanted to confirm sizes since I can't seem to find the ones I removed.

Thanks!
Matt

ALL POLY IN THE REAR!!!! Man, i hope you don't drive that on the street! Been there done that! I replaced the entire rear with poly and was ecited. Drove it to school and damn was it stiff. The handling had been hindered (from the stock 30 year old bushings) and it was just a p.i.a! At the time, i didn't use T.C that much so i tried figuring out the problem on my own. I finally talked to my auto teaher an he told me that poly bushings in the rear of a four-bar or four-link suspension, it will create bind and eliminate the rears ability to flex and rebound properly. I also believe that's exactly why an f-41 suspension had boxed lowers yet not uppers. If they were boxed it would create the same effect.

You'll be fine with the polys

I'd suggest doing a search on it. Unless you wanna get by with a suspension you'll do "fine" with.

If you think i'm just blowin smoke, listenn to a companny that knows what it's doing.

Global west: "The Global West tubular lower rear control arm offers better traction for hard launches, and improved handling due to less flex in the control arm and bushings. OPG offers three versions of these powder-coated control arms. The most economical rear lower control arm comes with polyurethane bushing in each end, and is great for drag racing. Because there isn't much suspension movement at the drag strip, this control arm won't cause undue amounts of suspension bind. If they are used on the street, the lateral fore and aft forces can cause the suspension to bind and produce and unbalanced, ratcheting movement. The polyurethane will eventually wear and work-harden, resulting in an unresponsive rear suspension. Our #2 Global West tubular lower control arm utilizes a spherical bearing on the frame end and a poly bushing on the rear axle end. This eliminates bind in the suspension and works well on the street and track. The down side? The poly bushing will eventually work-harden and wear out. Still, a great overall choice. Global West's top-of-the-line lower rear control arm features a spherical bearing on the frame end and a Del-A-Lum bushing on the rear exle end. This control arm eliminates an lateral for-and-aft movement with no bushing deflection and therefore no bind in the rear suspension. Great for use on the street and strip!"

I'm quite sure the bolts are 1/2". Get the good locknuts too.

Peter