Collection

The collection of parts that make up the left rear trailing arm that will be reused were restored today and everything looks great.

Now begins the process of accumulating the parts and tools necessary for putting this, and the right side, back together.

Grit

It took a lot of effort and some strategy, but the left rear trailing arm is finally apart. The right side trailing arm should come apart a little easier now that this one has been done.

It seemed like a good idea to do these one at a time so the other can be used as an example for how everything goes back together and to avoid mixing up left- and right-sided parts.

Bearing says NOPE!

Putting the rear trailing arms together is tricky, but taking them apart is relatively straightforward. That is, unless the bearing is rusted to the spindle.

The step, which if written in a manual might read "remove rear spindle from bearing housing" and take about a half second, might now take all weekend to accomplish.

This car continues to put up a fight that exceeds all expectations.

Shifty

The gear shift mechanism was disassembled and sandblasted before being Parkerized back to black.

The pivot needs to be replaced and there are a few missing parts, all of which have been ordered for about $30.

Strange

The rust pitting on the half shafts was filled with filler and sanded before they were primed again and painted.

It was strange to have spent so much time doing body work on a driveshaft, but they look really nice. 

Rear shocks

A new set of reproduction rear shock absorbers were ordered and prepped for paint.

These were scuffed and painted battleship gray to match the originals.

The original Delco rear shocks were replaced at some point along the way, but these look the part and should work fine.

This industrial paint takes a LONG time to cure, so these will live out in the sun for the rest of the week at least before they are tucked away for later. The slight solvent pop can be smoothed out with a little elbow grease.

Another day at the beach

After a day of sandblasting parts, there is sand everywhere.

The exhaust manifolds and the heat riser were all blasted and coated in POR-15 manifold paint. They all look great.

The bracket that locates the gear shift lever and mechanism was also sandblasted, primed and painted.

Once this cures, this will be bolted to the frame.