first time rear end swap

67Dart273 said
The problem with hobby shops is if you get hung up and "need something" then what?

If you have a goodly supply of tools at home, and a decent floor jack, it's not that hard.

Good food for thought. I'll swing by the hobby shop today and ask what happens if I come up short of a part while my car is on the lift.

67Dart273 said
Now I DID use my hoist, but for me, this means if the car had to stay there all night, no biggie. On the hoist, I got the rear shackles "all but ready" to come apart, with the nuts "finger on."

Pulled the U bolts, brake lines, etc (Go to the parts store and get 3/16 inverted flare plugs, and a "union" or two. Now you can plug off the tube on both ends)

You mean cap off the lines to keep the fluid from draining out?

67Dart273 said
Then let the hoist down so either the tires are on the ground, or get the axle on stands, etc

Then just pull the rear shackles. and let the springs down. EASY

I guess maybe I'll think it was easy after I've done it.

Sedanman said
The previous trans was probably a 904. What trans is in your car now? If it's a 904 your good to go.

It was and I haven't changed it.

Sedanman said
I'd change the rubber line now if I were you.

Did that when I bought the car 18 months ago.

Sedanman said
Did you check the bolt size for the front of the spring to see that it takes the same in the front hanger?

Good question. I'm not sure how I'd check that before removing the existing springs though. Does anyone know if they are different between 7 1/4 and 8 1/4?

Sedanman said
I would also change the axle end seals before putting it all together. It sounds like your good to go besides those few minor things. Is that the original gear oil in the axle?

I considered changing all the seals, but the axle seals looked good (to my untrained eye). I had to pull the axles to swap backing plates because this rear came with 11" brakes. When I pulled them everything looked clean and the rubber seemed soft. I did replace the pinion seal because I think it was leaking. I think I got the bearing preload reset correctly.