Rear Suspension Parts (Click on photos to enlarge)
Left and Center are views of the early 1963 Corvette spindle hub. This "early design" did not have a "webbing" cast in between the two "ears". This is the hub of the rear trailing arm, and the orientation is such that the two ears point to the ground, and slightly toward the center of the car.
Each ear has an open "ring" at the end for the combination shock mount and strut rod bolt. The longer part of the L shaped bolt, which holds the strut rod, is inserted through the two ears from the front.
On the right is a later 1963 style spindle hub. Note the added material between the two ears. You will notice that the photo on the right is actually from a car with disk brakes (1967). However, Corvettes made after May of 1963, with drum and disk brakes, also has this second design. The casting number did not change with this re-design.
Sometime in the 1970's, Chevrolet changed this part again, adding material (I assume) to prevent breaking of the "ears", in particular when the shock mount is "press fit" by pulling (with the crown nut) the shock mount into the ear-rings. The outer diameter of the ears was increased. I'll try and find a photo of this third design later.
Here you see a photo (click to enlarge) of the right side shock mount. This "L shaped bolt" slides into the spindle hub from the front. The part that holds the shock points in. As you do this insertion, be sure to compress by turning the crown nut. Do no hammer on the assembly.
If you can find a device that will help to hold the ears "co-linear", or parallel to each other, then do so. This is more important when using a new or reporduction shock mount bolt.
Also, I think it's a good idea to press the shock mount into the ears when off the car, using a pipe or other supporting cylinder fitted (end to end) between the ear-rings. (If you do that, you will have to press it back out to allow for the strut rod insertion later.) The shock mount will be more willing to go in a second time...
Click on above photo to see an image 500 wide /td
Click on above photo to see an image 500 wide /td
Click on above photo to see a larger version /td
Click on above photo to see an image 500 wide /td
