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From The Diecast Pub Mod Tips
For tools you need a magnetic screwdriver,Xacto knife, a Dremel with various grinding bits, calipers and a superbond type of adhesive. This is the first one I've done, if done carefully the chassis modifications are invisible to eye. I'll try and photo a 'how to' over this weekend. Modifications are needed to the front leaf spring mounts to the chassis, the leaf spring saddle for the axle housing, the rear axle screw mount holes in the chassis, and the brake lines-this is somewhat difficult as they are glued to the rear axle/spring assembly. 1. Meaure with calipers how much the axle needs to go forward to your liking. Remove chassis from body - be sure to suport the front end so as to not damage the fender antenna. On The Hemi with the exhaust pipes through the rear valance, just remove the screws and let the valance come out with the chassis. The steering cloumn appears to be glued to the dash, otherwise it disassembles easily. 2. To release the axle housing there are two screws on the forward area of the trunk floor. 3. The brake lines attachment can be seen after the axle is loose; carefully loosen these and straighten so they will not interfere while doing the axle mods. 4. The axle mount holes in the chassis must be ground out so the entire axle can go forward-I went right up to the very edge of the chassis hole. 5. Separate the leaf srpings from the axle housing by carefully grinding off the heat fuse -it's important to leave the mount pins for relocating the axle precisely. 6. With Dremel elongate the leaf spring holes that locate the axle-go right to the mount for axle in front, and on the rear go all the way through leaving a 'slot hole. Take the caliper measurement to reattach the axle the desired amount and superbond the leaf srings back in place. 7. After the superbond has set, check the axle location by reinserting into the chassis and place the body back on. 8. If you need to move it forward more, try refitting the the front leaf spring brackets mount to the chassis, I had remove more material on on one side than the other to get the fit I wanted. 9. When you are satisfied with the fit reassemble the axle to the chassis-I left out the coil springs as it tilted the axle backward . The suspension with still flex with the plastic leaf springs. The magnetic screwdriver really helps getting those screws back in place. 10. Reattach the chassis mount screws and the steering column to the dash. 11. Reattach the brake lines to the chassis, modeling tools are very helpful to get the lines back into the original holes. © Copyright 2005 by The Diecast Pub |
