Caltrac install questions

mauiSRT/10

mauiSRT/10

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I finally plan to install my caltracs with my neighbors help on Sunday. First should I jack up both sides of the rear up on jack stands(like in the caltracs instruction pictures) or do one side at a time? Is the install easier/safer either way? Second, just so I fully understand, I remove the entire leafs, clamp the ones I want to keep and remove just the one leaf? Not to sound like an idiot, but this is done with the leaf package removed, then I remove the rubber bushing(torch) and metal piece(vice or big hammer). Then I would install the new caltrac supplied metal bushings( I have a big vice). Then reinstall the springs etc....

I know about the freezing the metal bushing the night before and torching out the oem rubber bushing...............any other tips for the mechanically challenged Maui dude? With these installed I promise I will finally go back to the track and give ya some new times. With traction and proper shifting I am thinking I can finally get into the 12's with my mods.

thanks guys

patrick
 
I think the easiest way is to jack up both sides,

remove the leaf springs completely

you can torch , then if you look one side of the factory bushing is wrapped, so hammer it from the other side;)

then clamp the springs together, remove the bolt, and bottm leaf, reinstall bolt, then install new front bushing, and tada!:D

hope that helps a tad bo
 
I used a big press to get the bushings out as they are really tough to get out. I had the springs out of the Silver truck (the one I 4 linked) so it made it easier, I could get the bushings done at a machine shop before the actual install.

I think that is why some guys burn them out.

That is really one of the hardest parts of the install.

There were 4 of us doing mine Me, Patrick (RedSRT007), Kevin (Vodoo), And Jason (Big Perm) from Florida. It took us a few hours but we were cutting up and having fun the entire time........

Yes the football was red that evening, so you know what that made us...........LOL LOL LOL


Quote[SrtBrad] I had them (Calvert Racing) do the install for me so all I can offer you is some pics that I took in this thread:

http://www.vtcoa.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18954
Brad may I ask you what Calvert charged for the install ?
Click to expand...
 
I was having a rough time with that rubber dushing , so i got a drill and a a bit and just kept drilling holes through the rubber part until it twisted out. ..I believe I called you during my install. good luck maui,,,,,,,by the way , crank them down more than a 1/4 turn,,,, i noticed a big difference when i made a full turn and a half
 
Take the springs to a shop to remove/install the bushings. It only takes 5 minutes with a press. You'll do alot less cussing.
 
the worst part by far is removing the bushings....... like it has been sugested, take them to a machine shop if possible...... if not, they press out one direction & lube the hell out of them does help pressing them out whole......

best 'o luck patrick !!:D
 
My bushings came right out. Put a socket on top ( forgot what size:D )
and afew wacks with a lump hammer....
 
i used a torch and burned mine out get it lit and let it burn for a bt then it will fall right out, while doing that make sure the bushing is in the freezer so it wont be that hard to knock in. id suggest going both sides and use jack stands, youll have to get up under the truck a good bit. i wouldnt trust a jack.
 
Great suggestions guys, I appreciate it.

Brad, fantastic pics. I never saw that thread before.............oops I just noticed the date!!! LOL I should have read the new threads before I posted!! Great deal getting Caltracs to install them, I would have gladly paid $200!

So it looks like I need 4 jack stands, two for frame support, two for axle support. No speed shops close by, so its a big vice, a torch, drill bits, hammer, lube, freezers........did I miss anything!!:D

I thought I read somewhere that I should use some "anti-seeze" on the new aluminum bushings. Is that correct?

patrick
 
mauiSRT/10 said:
Great suggestions guys, I appreciate it.

Brad, fantastic pics. I never saw that thread before.............oops I just noticed the date!!! LOL I should have read the new threads before I posted!! Great deal getting Caltracs to install them, I would have gladly paid $200!

So it looks like I need 4 jack stands, two for frame support, two for axle support. No speed shops close by, so its a big vice, a torch, drill bits, hammer, lube, freezers........did I miss anything!!:D

I thought I read somewhere that I should use some "anti-seeze" on the new aluminum bushings. Is that correct?

patrick
Click to expand...

Patrick on the vice, you dont necessarily have to have, go by the home depot or hardware and get 2 c-clamps, those work nice to clamp the spring.
go bby the auto store or wally world they have the anti-seize:D put that on the inside and outside of the bushing, WEAR GLOVES! that crap gets everywhere and is a pain to get off!LOLOLOL
be in a ventilated area when you burn the bushing!
but look at both sides of the spring wehre the bushing is , look close and you will see one side is bradded out around the spring, hammer from the other side bo, it will pop out easier
 
Stinker said:
Patrick on the vice, you dont necessarily have to have, go by the home depot or hardware and get 2 c-clamps, those work nice to clamp the spring.
go bby the auto store or wally world they have the anti-seize:D put that on the inside and outside of the bushing, WEAR GLOVES! that crap gets everywhere and is a pain to get off!LOLOLOL
be in a ventilated area when you burn the bushing!
but look at both sides of the spring wehre the bushing is , look close and you will see one side is bradded out around the spring, hammer from the other side bo, it will pop out easier
Click to expand...


Gotch ya Tony, thanks. I was gonna use the vice to press the new metal bushings in...............thats what Gary suggested when I purchased them from him. Thanks for the tip on wearing gloves..........I have never used anti-seze before and had no idea it was messy. All work will be done in my driveway, so ventilation will be good!

patrick

patrick
 
mauiSRT/10 said:
Gotch ya Tony, thanks. I was gonna use the vice to press the new metal bushings in...............thats what Gary suggested when I purchased them from him. Thanks for the tip on wearing gloves..........I have never used anti-seze before and had no idea it was messy. All work will be done in my driveway, so ventilation will be good!

patrick




patrick
Click to expand...
LOLOLOL you just post up after using the anti seize! he he he:D
 
mauiSRT/10 said:
With these installed I promise I will finally go back to the track and give ya some new times. With traction and proper shifting I am thinking I can finally get into the 12's with my mods.

thanks guys

patrick
Click to expand...

Dude, with your mods, you should be well into the 12's and bouncin' off the rev limiter in 4th through the traps!!!:driver: :joyman: :vroam:

Have Fun installing them - It's supposed to be ~25 degrees on Sunday here.:dontknow: :(
 
Last edited:
Hamrhead said:
Dude, with your mods, you should be well into the 12's and bouncin' off the rev limiter in 4th through the traps!!!:driver: :joyman: :vroam:

Have Fun instaling them - It's suposed to be ~25 degrees on Sunday here.:dontknow: :(
Click to expand...


25 degrees...........thats wrong dude........it'll be under 80 and above 75.....we'll be good! I want to get it done in the am so I can watch the Giants game, it comes on at 1:30.

patrick
 
Dunno if anyone mentioned it yet but one usefull tip is to wrap duct tape around the leaf springs to label them, I mostly did this cause I had to take them to my friends house to have the bushings pressed out. DF, DR, PF,PR. The new metal bushings tap right in with a hammer and a 2x4, pre frozen of course.
 
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