Started putting the rear back in my 66 with new umi control arms all going really smooth except the last upper arm is breaking my balls. I left everything loose but just cant catch the last bolt always one has to be a mother seems like it wont line up. any suggestions??? I cleaned up to take a break will tackle it again tommorrow. NEED BEER!!!!:beers:

Adjustable upper's set to the same length?

It really helps to install it in with a friend.

If I recall correct when I put the rear back in my el camino with the UMI control arms I used a rubber mallet to give the bolt a couple firm taps to get it to start in the control arm and after that it was smooth sailing.

i got the bolt in half way it just wont come out the other side.these are non adjustable arms

Did you try jacking up one side of the axle housing to align the arm with the bushing?

You said the bolt is half way in? Play with a jack adjusting the height of the rear while you softly tap the bolt in with a hammer or try wrenching it in like its in threads.


I had the same problem when I installed my rear. I played with the height of the rear on the jack tapped it in and wrenched it in. Happened to me with 2 bolts.

Started putting the rear back in my 66 with new umi control arms all going really smooth except the last upper arm is breaking my balls. I left everything loose but just cant catch the last bolt always one has to be a mother seems like it wont line up. any suggestions??? I cleaned up to take a break will tackle it again tommorrow. NEED BEER!!!!:beers:Had similar problems when we put ours in a few weeks ago. I ended up backing out the upper adjustable links a few extra turns and with a few taps of the dead blow everything squared up. Do you have the rear springs installed? If I recall, we had better luck after propping up the rear end. There was a sweet spot where the alignment was better.

Do you have adjustable upper arms or fixed length?

http://72malibu.chambersohana.com/graphics/suspension_rear_end.jpg

http://72malibu.chambersohana.com/graphics/suspension_rear_pass.jpg

-Doug

thats what i will try tonight. i did play with the jack in the center of the rear that helped with the other bolts but this one is being stubborn. i will try maybe jacking the side up and down till it goes. thank for all the input i will let you guys know how it goes

well rear end is in and control arms are complete. all i have to do is bleed the brakes and still waiting for new u joints. I have a question i used a moser rear end cover just like the one above in the pictures. the brake line clip that was on the top cover bolt now wont fit the new cover any ideas??

well rear end is in and control arms are complete. all i have to do is bleed the brakes and still waiting for new u joints. I have a question i used a moser rear end cover just like the one above in the pictures. the brake line clip that was on the top cover bolt now wont fit the new cover any ideas??Vincent - We cleaned up or original and bent it up slightly. Worked great...

http://72malibu.chambersohana.com/graphics/brake_rear_bracket01.jpg

http://72malibu.chambersohana.com/graphics/brake_rear_bracket02.jpg

I would unbolt the rear of the lowers, jack or push or pry the top ones in.

Then use a come along on the lower to pull the axle forward to put the bolts in the rear of the lowers.

Worked fine on my 66 and was able to do it alone on stands.

went to ground up today. doug your rear end looks so nice i had to go buy new brake lines for the axles and a rear flex line and emergency brake cable just the middle cause i already did the front one. thanks lol. also had to buy some interior parts while i was there:thumbsup:

went to ground up today. doug your rear end looks so nice i had to go buy new brake lines for the axles and a rear flex line and emergency brake cable just the middle cause i already did the front one. thanks lol. also had to buy some interior parts while i was there:thumbsup:Vincent - You are killing me! What would it be like to be able to just run over to Ground Up without having to surf online and wait for UPS. Glad I could help spend your money :beers:.

As for our front, it's done after we installed the brake lines a couple of weeks ago. I need to get some updated pictures...

http://72malibu.chambersohana.com/graphics/suspension_driver_front.jpg

looks good but i am out of money. lol I may tackle front end next winter. still recovering from this rear build trying to scrape up money for tires:thumbsup: