1973 Monte Carlo S

[hetman]

Thanks, Cort, after a long fight we're all better.

Now I have to order some parts for the Monte and upgrades too for the rear suspension while I'm at it. Besides replacing the rear bearings and seals, I'm going to install these Spohn upper and lower rear control arms. scandc.com/spohn_delsphere.htm Eventually I need to upgrade the front as well, not only for the best possible handling, but to accommodate much larger disc brakes. Then it's on to Drix-style 17" mags.

[twomanymontes]

sweet! Keep us posted on the progress Mike!

[x]

Jan 1, 2010 15:41:29 GMT -5 hetman said:

Thanks, Cort, after a long fight we're all better.

GOOD!!!!





Cort | 36swm.IL | "Mr Monte Carlo"."Mr Road Trip" | pig valve.pacemaker
WRMNshowcase.legos.HO.models.MCs.RTs.CHD = www.chevyasylum.com/cort
"Life throws you curves, but you learn to swerve" ... Rascal Flatts ... 'These Days'

[hetman]

OK, finally an update. The snow has melted and just yesterday I finally got some packages from my buddy in Detroit with parts and tools to get the axle put together again. Since I found nothing visibly wrong inside, the intention is to just put it back together, but since the rear axle seals are leaking slightly, I decided to replace them. In order to do that, I needed to buy a good slide hammer set. Those parts and tools came yesterday, but I am not sure that I got the correct parts for the axle seals and/or bearings!!! This is a major bummer if I don't have the right parts, but I hope somebody can help me figure out what I got and what I need. First, the pictures:









Basically, I'm lost. I requested a set (actually, two sets, one for this car and one for the 74 because it needs the seals and bearings replaced too, but obviously I didn't receive two sets of anything) of rear axle bearings and seals for this Monte, which has the standard posi 2.73:1 8 1/2 inch 10 bolt. Is this such a hard order to get right?

Somebody please tell me what part numbers I need, and if I have any of the correct parts already. It looks like I will need to reorder everything (or most everything), and have it sent to me ASAP because this car needs to be on the road!! I can't represent with it sitting on jackstands in the garage.

If the part numbers aren't visible in the pictures, here's what I got. First, a Federal Mogul Differential Overhaul Kit, number RA-321. I don't know why I need a complete overhaul kit, as only the seals and bearings will be replaced, but I guess it's nice to have around. Are any of these parts at least the correct bearings I need? By the way, my son just lost the pinion nut and crush sleeve!! Arghhh!!! But here are the individual part numbers: M88010, LM501349 (2), LM501314 (2), 5707 (2), M88048, M802048, M802011. Additionally, not part of the kit but separately what look like seals: 8660S (2), 2043 and 8622. What I can't figure out is why the last two parts have different numbers (obviously, they are different!!). Is one side of the axle different than the other? Are these the correct seals for my axle?

I very much appreciate your help with advise and if I need more parts (I know I will), please let me know what I'll need. Once again, I will want a complete set for the red 74 Monte as well, but I want to get this car on the road as quickly as I can.

Another issue mentioned earlier was the brake bar (pictured in an earlier post) that had fallen out. I received a new replacement, but I'm not sure it's the correct one, and will take it out to the Monte to see if it fits, or looks like the one on the other side. Eventually, I can check on one of my other Montes to see if the one I got is correct or not. But I also asked for the proper spring that holds this bar in, and I didn't receive any spring. I'd like to get two, in fact, so I'll be asking to buy these springs as well. Otherwise the car will be non-op. Of course, I could scavenge a spring from another Monte, but is it so hard to find these parts in the States?

Thanks again!

[hetman]

Here are a couple pictures I took today. The first shows the difference between the brake spreader bar that came out of the car, and the one I got as a replacement. The correct one is 5.4 inches, and the new one is a bit over 7 inches. Obviously it won't fit. It looks slightly different, too.





The next picture is of the left side, which has the proper bar and spring. Notice the seal is leaking a bit. Are there really as many bearings inside the axle as are in the rebuild kit I showed yesterday?!



And what is this device here? It was in one of the boxes I received, loose, but it could either be from the slider hammer set (I doubt it, though) or the axle rebuild kit. I don't recognize it.

[twomanymontes]

Wow Mike, You got lots of presents didn't you! LOL!

Ok the loose piece appears to be from some sort of hub tool, It installs in the end of the tool and then you bolt the tool to the wheel studs , then run the threaded rod through to push the axle shaft out the hub. Put it aside,

as for the bearings, A few of those boxes contain races, and yes there are that many on the axle rebuild kit. lots of thiose bearing need to be pressed off and then onto the carrier and the pinion shaft, There are shims between the bearings and the carrier and the shaft. So be sure to keep them in order. All data is down rigth now, but as soon as I can, I'll get the info on the rebuild process to you.

Oh and run synthetic gear lube! the bearing will last a lot longer!!

[hetman]

Dave, thanks a bunch for the help. So the strange top-looking part belongs to the axle puller set? I wish I had directions for it! LOL.

I need the proper brake spacer bar, and spring that holds it in. Do you have any idea how to get those parts? I need those 2 parts just to put it back together and on the road, which I'll do if I can't get any info on the bearings and seals. I'd love to do all of that, but so far no information is forthcoming. I'd really appreciate it if you could verify what I have is correct, and let me know what's missing. For example, for the seals, why do I have 3 different part numbers? Aren't there only 2 seals per axle anyway?

I'll try to get some synthetic lube. Do you have any recommendations? What about special posi additive? Or they make synthetic posi lube? Would that be the same as the non-posi synthetic?

[twomanymontes]

Mike, It belongs to a hub tool, but same thing kind of.

3 different seals? The axle seals left and right are the same, the pinion seal would be different. And for some reason, I think the axle seals don't come in that kit. But I may be wrong.

As for that spacer bar. I'll haev to see if I can find any in the junkyards, I know where there are a few 2nd gens in Rochester, but not sure when I will get back to there.

Hey Donutboy!!! think you can help a brother out??

And the posi fluid additive is synthetic, and it still needs to be added.

and AllData doesn't go back far enough to get the correct torque specs and what not. I'm working on getting a Mitchell on Demand password so I can send the info to you. But that doesn't seam to be working out right now.

[hetman]

So the hub tool device doesn't belong to the axle puller set? It must have fallen into the box somehow. OK.

Yes, the seals were ordered separately from the axle rebuild kit. What I wanted was seals and bearings for the axle, and in fact two sets of everything - one for the white 73 and the other for the red 74, which definitely needs it. What I got was an axle rebuild kit, and I don't know if it contains the proper bearings for the axle. It should. Can you confirm that what I received is what I need for my car? In the picture above are all the seals, bearings and races, etc. The left stack contains the seals, which were not included in the axle rebuild kit. As you can see, there are 3 different part numbers. That's what I don't understand. You mentioned pinion seals. Are they inside the axle? Because what I can see on the outside is one seal on each side, so there must be another one (pinion seal?) inside the axle. Is this correct? That would explain why I have 4 boxes, but one of these parts must be wrong, since I should have two each of two different types of seals, right? Or only one pinion seal per axle? And if so, which part number is correct for my application?

I got some bottles of some kind of posi additive, so I'm set on that. I was just wondering if someone makes a posi lube that doesn't require that additive. But I have the additive, so it's all good from that side.

A junkyard spacer bar would be fine. The dimensions and shape are listed, and as I said everything is stock, so it shouldn't be so difficult to find even in the junkyard. I need the spring too.

Thanks a bunch for the help because otherwise I might have to part the car out...LOL...J/K.

[donutboy97]

Mike i'll see what i can do. unfortunately, the ground here is wet, and i'll need to jack the car up to get to those bars. hopefully it dries up quick and i can get what you need. I'll keep you posted!!!

[hetman]

Thank you so much for the offer, Donutboy. It means a lot to me.

And guess what?! Yesterday I decided to pull apart the brakes from the spare axle I'd bought 2 years ago for my 84 Monte, which came from a 1980 Malibu, and guess what I found?!



Amazing, the brake spacer bar is identical to the one on my 73. I'm pretty amazed at this, since the rear axles are different, and I could swear that the rear drums are different sizes too. But the bar is identical, so I'll go slap that bad boy on as soon as possible, and put the axle back together without trying to replace the bearings and seals now, since nobody's been able to help me determine what the right parts are for my car.

[hetman]

I'm going to post pictures I took of each box and what's inside. Please tell me if it jives with what is supposed to be in the boxes, and finally, if I have anything useful to do my rear axle bearings and seals. I've put a metric tape measure up to many parts to help; just divide by 2.54 to get inches. By the way, the brake bar I got from my 7.5" axle fits perfectly, and it is 5.4 inches long.

[twomanymontes]

Ok not all the pics are working for me, the best I can see is the seals, the 8660s are the axle seals. the other two are the pinion seal depending on the style your axle has.

the two roller bearing [non tapered] are axle bearing. you should also have 4 other tapered bearings, two with the same #'s LM501349 and there matching races are for the carier side bearings, the other 2 are the pinion bearings.

Mike once you pull the carrier and the pinion out, you will be able to match them up easier.

[hetman]

Thanks, Dave. It's good to know at least the axle seals are correct. That's all I really need to do on this car right now. It's already driving season! And the car is sitting on stands, waiting to be unleashed. I have decided to go ahead and clean and repaint the axle while I'm down there because I already painted the sway bar and differential cover. So I started on that task yesterday and it took hours to just scrape off most of the layer of decades of Arizona dust and sand. Underneath it's so cherry!! The original black paint is in nearly perfect shape, and there are some white paint markings on the differential and near the spring perches. I guess that's a concourse restorer's delight! LOL. But I'm going to paint over it because the car is no longer in the desert and I'd like to protect it for the next few generations.

[hetman]

The 8660S is the correct axle bearing seal for my car, and this past weekend I took out the old ones and installed the new ones. Piece of cake. I also reinstalled the axle shafts, c-clips, center bolt and locking bolt. And nobody told me what a &%$^@@-#$^#^@&@ B#$^$%&^ it is to perform this simple procedure!! The c-clips kept falling out, and the s-shaped spring in the center kept moving around, making it next to impossible to get the center pin in. After a long while, and with the help of my father in law, I managed to get it all together. Now another question, does that little locking bolt need thread lock on it? I couldn't find anywhere, in the factory manual or elsewhere, to put lock-tite on it. So I didn't. I have not put on the differential cover yet, so I can go back there and put some lock-tite on it if people say it's necessary. But I tightened it up with moderate force, not over-tightening it but it's good and snug. I suppose that should do it.

And I've been trying to find time to clean up the whole axle in preparation for paint. Since I painted the differential cover, and the sway bar, I think it would look gay to have the axle dirty. So I've been cleaning it. I also cleaned and painted the brake drums. Everything is so original and rust-free under there it's amazing. Under the layer of Arizona sand, the original factory black paint is in good shape! There are even white and blue markings from the factory. I don't know what they mean, but a concours restorer would probably know. Here are some pictures so far.

[twomanymontes]

looking good Mike! As for using loctite? Its pretty much a personal preferance. I have used it on some, but lots of times I don't bother. If it's tight, it's not going anywhere. And yeah, i guess I forgot to mention that S clip sucks to work around, Sorry!

[hetman]

Thanks, Dave. I thought I'd read conflicting recommendations on the use of Loctite on this bolt; that is, people have different preferences. I'll probably leave the bolt as is, since I don't feel like opening up another can of worms right now...LOL. Now if I could just get some time to finish up the cleaning and painting of the axle!! My new set of tires from the US are now 3 months in shipping (one month in Poland in customs...) and should be here next week, so eventually I'll be able to drive the beast again!

[twomanymontes]

awesome! And I am still waiting for my tires too, so don't feel bad, LOL!

[hetman]

I finally got a couple days to work on the Monte over the past month and here are the results. I wanted to clean up the axle and paint it. Earlier I had painted the differential cover and it turned out pretty decent, and I also cleaned and painted the sway bar, which looks OK as well, but since I used Hammerite, a kind of marine anticorrosive paint on the axle, with a brush, it sort of looks like dog poop, but what the heck. I don't have the conditions to do a nice job on the car yet, without a compressor, etc, and it would have required disassembly of the whole axle and control arms, which I didn't want to get involved in at this stage. But despite the runny results of the paint, it looks a lot better than the other areas of the car, and more importantly, protects the car till I get a chance to do a rotisserie frame-off restoration (of this rust-free Arizona car...LOL). I can see that happening no sooner than the next 10-20 years, so this driver Monte should be happy to get this treatment in the meantime. And I plan to replace the springs, shocks and control arms in the not too distant future, which should clean up the look considerably. I also painted the brake drums and the back of the frame area and the horizontal frame connecting bar in the back. I can't wait to do a proper job on the car, but in the meantime this is better than it was.

I found some interesting markings on the axle under all that sand and grease. There's a giant G painted on the top of the differential case, along with what looks like a 29 (only 2 is fairly visible) next to it on the upper neck, and a glob of red paint near the brake proportioning valve (?) mounted to the top of the differential. This is in addition to the already-mentioned splotch of blue paint on the bottom of the differential and the "IT" mark in white, and some white marks on the left control arm mount.

I still need to fill up the case with fluid, and I don't have a tool to unscrew the overflow drain hole. What size is this square hole in the bolt? And one more thing, I have to replace the brake bar in the right side drum area. What's the best way to go about that?

[twomanymontes]

Hey that looks pretty d**n good!!!!

[drix76]

yeah it does, what did you paint it with?

[hetman]

Thanks guys! I still aim to do a proper job, together with a frame-off, but that'll probably won't be till 2030 or so! LOL. The paint is a brand called Hammerite on the axle, and the diff cover is a generic rattle-can job.

OK, today I have great news to report. Yesterday I got out to the garage and put this beotch back together and got her off the stands and out into traffic for a nice long "shakedown" cruise to check everything out. The weather was beautiful, and after 9 months, it's really nice to get her back into proper form and listen to the rumbling big block and scare bystanders and instill fear into the unbelievers and pretenders. This baby rocks like never before. It seems that I have cured it of its ills. The new BF/Goodrich 275s work flawlessly and are balanced, so I feel absolutely nothing wrong, with a smooth as glass ride. They are nice and soft, but the Monte still has a penchant for burning rubber.... I took a few pictures outside the garage and in front of our apartment. Isn't this lovely beast gorgeous, especially from above?

Just in time for Independence Day!! The Monte Carlo is free!!

[twomanymontes]

Mike She looks awesome!!! so glad you got her out and put her through her paces

[x]

Jul 4, 2010 7:49:47 GMT -5 hetman said:

Just in time for Independence Day!! The Monte Carlo is free!!

Woo hooo ... congratulations!


So ... in that picture ... I'm guessing that says "mechanic" something ... but what?



Cort | 36.m.IL | 5 Monte Carlos.1 Caprice Classic | pig valve.pacemaker * 07/24/2010=ChitownMeet #3 *
MCs.CC | models.HO.legos.CHD.RadioShows | RoadTrips.us66 = www.chevyasylum.com/cort
"Do you see what I see?" ... One Republic ... 'Stop and Stare'

[hetman]

Right on, Cort!! The sign advertises the services of an "automotive mechanic". He's a cool guy too.
July 3, with everything buttoned up and new meats on the rear. Nice weather, time for a cruise!











July 6, using the Monte as my daily driver (LOL - rarely do I go to the city on business with this Monte, but if the weather is nice, why not?!) in downtown Warsaw.







Picking up Matthew at day care; I think it's safe to say no other 3-year old in Europe is so privileged!!











...and Matthew making his "vrooom vrooom VROOOOOOOOM" chant!