Stingray and the Unwelcome Guest

The Corvette is back at April HQ. New rear axle bearings and a coil over conversion front and back. The car rides lower, handles better and looks super cool from the rear with the spare removed to give those in my rear view mirror a view of the fully independent suspension.

I had an annoying squeak from the left front which after some investigation turned out to be a bent dust shield rubbing on the rotor…easy fix. The new lowered stance gives the Corvette a real mean look but would bottom out on they slightest bump in the road.

Took her for a run last night on a work related errand, now a squeak or more like a metallic grinding from the back left wheel. Ok another dust shield problem . Soon as I got home I had her jacked up and the rear wheels off…no sign of any issues…hmmm. Did I mention we have been having a heat wave here, talk about a sweaty, greasy mess.

I can get a little obsessive about cars (really you'd noticed), I was out for a good four or so hours making adjustments, going for test drives, getting more and more frustrated. "J" came out at about 11:30 and kindly offered to make some tea. She said she was almost nostalgic, me out to all hours in the driveway covered in grease and oil, it was just like old times.

I on the other hand was less than pleased to be re-visiting times past. I still like doing some work on the cars here and there but this was the behaviour of the guy I hoped I left behind. Obsessive, neurotic and unable to think rationally about cars, who would stay out till all hours as it drowned out any dysphoria and proved to all and sundry I was a man.

Eventually I had to admit defeat, clean up the mess of tools and come in.

As Scarlet said tomorrow is another day, the next morning I read the shop manual and looked for clues on line. Maybe loose brake pads but the sound was still there when the pedal was applied slightly.

To have a better look at the rear suspension I dropped the spare tire carrier, had to be the exhaust just touching the road as the car travelled on its suspension. The rear coil over conversion which replaces the the transverse leaf spring is adjustable so I was able to raise the rear and after a few attempts correct the problem. Only a minor burn on my stomach from the hot exhaust. Still need to fix the little squeak from the parking break assembly (which is inside the hub) but one thing at a time.

Quick victory lap of the neighbourhood, stopped to show off my new rear end (LOL). They give that look that says humour the crazy person…OMG wait till September.

Hugs,

April

PS. The lead photo is not me (no kidding) but it is a 79 Corvette.

Here is Annette with Draggin' USA, didn't know she did a hot rod song. Check out Monkeys Uncle see the Beach Boys backing her up!