Installing Rear Lowering Blocks Help!!

[C10agent]

This hour job is going to take me three days to complete. I unhooked the rear spring, removed the trac bar and removed the old U Bolt. Now I am trying to put it all together and it is just not lining up right. I have only undone the passenger side and have the frame on jack stands in the rear. What tips can you guys give some I can get this knocked out. Pictures show what it looks like right now.

[C10agent]

Should I unbolt both at the same time. Will that help with the angle to get them to fit right??

[danman987123]

Yes, drop the rear end completely. Both u bolts, springs, etc. then install your new blocks and u-bolts and slowly start jacking up the rear end from the middle. So leave your jack stands on the truck frame and jack up from center of the axle. If you jack up the axle high enough and you still can't get the nuts started on your u-bolts to put everything back together just get a small chain to hold the truck frame down to your jack. Then once you have frame chained down to your jack continue to jack up axle a little more so you can get the new nuts and washers back on and just tighten everything back up. It's not to bad. Just get a helper if you can to keep a good eye on everything with you to watch break lines, wires, etc.

[C10agent]

Thanks a ton for the response, I will tackle tomorrow night and I will post results. Thanks!

[danman987123]

No prob. Good luck.

[67 chevelle]

i used a ratchet strap to line mine up , passenger side pulled forward around a half inch , did not need it for the drivers , that one fell in

[Tx Firefighter]

Reach up there with your foot and push the trailing arm until it lines up. Have someone else bump the u bolts down into the holes while you do this. There's nothing gentle about wrestling with suspension.

[C10agent]

After reading the post last night I started knocking it with a hammer which helped it. Just seemed like it was fighting me like hell, but I guess that is the way it is with these jokers. I am afraid of buggering up the u bolt threads but I will rachet and kick it into submission tonight.

[Sklptrljay]

The ratchet strap is a good idea. Don't worry, it WILL line up. Just takes a little....persuasion.

[original-71]

all are good ideas. not sure if you have a harbor freight near buy go get a $9 ratchet bar clamp spreader squeeze the u bolts at the most center part on each side should just drop right in makes it a little safer and wont damage the threads i got the 24" heavy duty one cut the bar down to fit under the truck.

[67 chevelle]

mine moved rearward about 1/2 inch when I took the old ubolt out , rachet straped it to the carier Bering cossmember ,clicked it 2 or 3 times and it fell in , drivers side did not need the strap as it fell right in , your results may be deferant , but the ratchet strap is invaluable

[C10agent]

Thanks for the help guys! I am going to try and work smarter with the ratchet strap and not hulk this thing into place and break something.

[Steve Cole]

I did mine one side at a time. Used two jacks, one under the rear end and one under the trailing arm I was working on. Jack up the rear of the truck and install jack stands under the frame rails where they are level(about where the front of the step side fenders would end or about 3 feet forward of the back wheels if I remember correctly). When the truck is on stands and a floor jack under the differential to support its weight, remove the nuts from the u-bolts and lower the trailing arm with the other jack. You may need to jack up the rear end a little using the floor jack to give a little more clearance. Like Tx Firefighter said, use your feet to move the rear end around so everything lines up and don't worry about being gentle. When you get the new u-bolt In place, jack up the trailing arm to squeeze everything back together and tighten the nuts.

[GMB1985]

C10 agent not to change the subject but what kind of wheels are those I like them

[C10agent]

Thanks - I got them off of ebay after seeing a set on the boards. They are American Racing Daytona Wheels - 20x8.5 & 20.9.5 - I dig them!

[GMB1985]

Yeah I think they are sweet

[C10agent]

RATCHET STRAP!! RATCHET STRAP!! RATCHET STRAP!! Seriously worked like a champ. I wrapped it around the rear end and then found a hole on the frame. Worked like a freaking champ and I just tapped it in with ease. I REALLY appreciate the help!! I have to do the driver side tomorrow/Wednesday and then I will take pics of it.

[C10agent]

Driver side was super easy, thanks for everyone's help. I am real pleased how it turned out.

[c10Dream'n]

cool truck, glad you got it figured out. any updated pics?

[C10agent]

I thought they went through, but I guess not. Here you go guys, let me know what you think......

[Raceready68]

Looks perfect. Did you have to shim the pinion angle ? If so how many deg. Do you have a bolt in c notch ?

[C10agent]

I have not shimmed the pinion angle and honestly don't know how at this point. I installed an adjustable trac bar and I have a c notch in the garage but I think I am going to try and go without.

[Ironangel]

Sweet, well done!

[Raceready68]

I got a 5/5 now and my back really needs the 2 inch blocks. How much room is there between the frame and axel ? Any issues with it hitting ?

[C10agent]

Here is the other post that shows how close it is. It is pretty tight though.....

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=628002&page=2