1965 Corvair Rear Suspension and Driveline Repair - Strut Rod Bushing Replacement

Before I put the engine back into the car I want to make all of the necessary repairs to the rear suspension and driveline.
Jump into the engine bay with me to see what's what.
[e-mail]
ratzlaffmotorco.com

[@kevinpfaff2301]

Excellent! Boy, those Corvairs are a breed of their own. You make it look simple, Cement Mixer and all.

[@67Stang]

That was so much easier than getting the suspension off my Mustang. Good work as always

[@davidj4662]

I don't know why, but I find these little cars fascinating. Great hanging out with you and your pet cricket while you work on it.

[@bradalgra8088]

Bought my first Corvair this summer, a '69 500, and need to do the same repair to it. This video will be extremely helpful in the process. Thanks for giving parts numbers. Also appreciate the dry humor! Looking forward to more vids.

[@terrallputnam7979]

Thank you for showing how to do this correctly. I am thinking about buying a 1965 Corvair and I will probably have to do all this to it. Great work!

[@michaelliles2157]

Nice Job the corvair is coming along great.

[@Anthony-qj7qe]

Awesome job on the suspension, I like the way you clean parts and then paint them. I do the same thing, I just find it gives the parts, a nice clean appearance. 👍👍

[@mkepler5861]

you do nice work!!! well done. mike 65 140 Corsa

[@michaelweary4662]

When everything goes together perfectly, with little effort... just remember... every now and then even a blind squirrel finds a nut !

[@sirmister4411]

Pet crickets nice. You have exotic cars and pets. It’s looking better and better good video thanks

[@paulreft7133]

Another great lesson in auto nostalgia! Love learning about these classic Corvairs! You make it look so simple! Wish I was your pesky next door neighbor who could bug you every time I have a repair question! And hand you tools, of course! Thanks for bringing us along! God Bless!

[@jwald6795]

Good Video. I will be doing the same thing in the future. Learned a lot.

[@SignalyardsGarage]

Looks like you’re having a lot of fun bringing this old gal back to the front. It’ll be a much better handling ride because of all that work too! The laborer is worthy of his reward! Great job.

[@richardzirk6935]

I am admiring all the hard work and care you are giving this Corvair. The 65' I had when I left the service in 75' for college was the same color as yours, but was a 3 speed. It was a great car and yours is bringing back many fond memories. Thank you and carry on with this project. I look forward to the next one!

[@randallsanders7446]

Your end shot comparing the two sides says it all. Looks great. I knew you were doing a good job because you had the three main ingredients -- time, money, & frustration. Excellent! I have annoying crickets also. I don't know how they transport themselves through the walls. Perhaps they have some cricket named Scotty beaming them in??? I cannot discover how they manage to invade my inner space. I used to catch them & throw them back outside but not anymore. If I catch them ... they're a squashed bug. No chance for them to come back & reclaim territory. Also, I just love the way they throw their chirps. I hear one & head in its direction but then it chirps again & it sounds like it is somewhere else -- a different direction. Perhaps there are several working together & they're just trying to drive me bonkers. Hobos, down & out -- I got it. Way back when, my grandparents had a farm which was close to railroad tracks. Hobos stop by to do some chores for food. Good stories. Oh well, thanks for another trip down restoration lane. Take care!

[@ronaldfarmer1208]

Never been there but looks great to me .

[@bobeaseshop9389]

Just on a general note... I have run into just plain not being able to get bushings, but now that isn't a problem and one can choose hardness and even colour - as you may know. I had to re-bush all four arms on the axle on a 1964 Bonnevile and ya can forget finding those suckers. I posted a video on this about a year ago. I got the two part pour of poly goo (I chose red) and dang if that ain't the cats! When you said the bushing you got were right out of the box doomed I thought of this. I don't think I'll ever mess with pressing in bushings again. I hate to say it but if they don't come out with some ease I just burn them out and sometimes that is the only way - like I had to do with the Bonneville arms. Tricky sealing the ends so the two part goo from leaking out but I sealed it with some fiberglass resin so not to loose any. It worked so well. Just wanted to throw that out for any guys who may be facing no bushing available or just want something better. I also ran into a Honda Civic motor mount that cost $450 and I burned the old rubber and poured in the two part poly for $70. Nice work on your part as always. Bobby

[@Friedbrain11]

It is called a sleeve bushing so no matter how you say it, you are right :) The trans is in good shape. You should have painted the trans pan the same as the shocks.

[@marksancken9571]

dont forget the orings under the rocker arm studs or it will still leak and put your converter on the trans and bolt it to the flywheel after the engine is bolted up.making sure its free at all times.

[@matthewcalifana488]

A few drifts can be helpful when installing & removing bolts , Best Wishes from New York .

[@whototeru]

You can get better adjustability with C4 Corvette strut rods. They're usually cheaper than rebuilt stock rods. Also, with a rebuilt suspension, you'll want to wait until the car is sitting at ride height before you tighten down those anti-sway rods that connect your trailing arm to the transmission cross member.

[@timwerner7771]

I hhad to watch you get those outer camber adjustment bolts in,...what a pain!

[@jasonyoung5628]

The factory assembly manual will tell you where to line up your camber and toe adjustments when putting it together to get you in the ballpark at least.

[@sugardaddy62]

Rockauto has the U-joints for the Corvair, along with other parts

[@rolandlewis2356]

I was sure you would have to lubricate your rubber bushings in order to insert them inside the metal. Is it a good idea to use petroleum jelly or wheel bearing grease on the rubber in order to make it easier to insert them and press them in to the control arms ? You've done a great job.

[@kevinmckay810]

Sensibly you should always power wash then lube everything you're going to be taking apart so much cleaner

[@larrybailey43]

Do they now mfg neoprene bushings for replacement of rubber bushing an wear better ?

[@gregoneill1495]

Do you ever use PB Blaster on the rusty bolts?

[@nightstorm9128]

The raspy parper,,

[@mathewa3897]

*promosm* 🙏

[@davidp187]

You laugh, but I'll bet you didn't have nearly the problem with that strut bushing as others do because you had that Good OLD American Press.

[@kq2799]

2:02 Not to be "that guy", but a Tesla rear drive motor would drop right in there...

[@drsnooz8112]

Why wouldn't Clark's simply spec a steel sleeve around the outside of that control arm bushing instead of asking enthusiasts to mash a rubber slug halfway through a tiny hole?

[@TheJayhawker]

They offer a couple of different options, these rubber bushings are the factory one. I would assume that the dealer back in the day would have simply replaced the entire rod rather than monkey around with the bushings. Clarks also offers complete rods with new bushings installed. Another option is C5 or C6 Corvette rods (if forget which) that are basically adjustable Heim joints on each end.

[@Bill-xc8le]

Zerk or no zerk, its not like the corvair is gonna be a daily driver

[@jeffryheintz5738]

A beer belly? or a busted can of biscuit dough? either would be accurate.