Steel409
08-19-2018, 03:20 PM
Hello all,
I'm in the middle of installing Hotchkis subframe connectors on my '70 Nova SS. I've done everything per instructions and made sure to prep the connectors as best as possible for solid MIG weld penetration. But, once I got the connectors up onto the car, was completely surprised by how poorly the back of the connector fits around the rear frame. Is this typical? I know the instructions say to use a Channel Lock to "bend the rear tab in", but I have no idea how to finagle a Channel Lock in there, and how to MIG weld all those gaps.
At first I thought maybe the car was out of alignment, but the fit-up is the same on both sides; the outboard tab (2 oval holes in SC) fits very, very well. Super annoying that it's behind the leaf spring perch, but it's against the outside of the frame. The inboard SC tab (4 ovals), is tight against the frame at the front, but then grows to a 1/2" gap at the rear.
Is the entire connector not to be welded in? Even if I get the tab bent a little towards the frame, there is still an approximate 1/2" gap at the bottom of the rear ovals on the inboard tab.
Fairly disappointed in this install. There was a LOT more work involved than the directions and their Youtube video on a similar F-body install.
Has anyone installed these on a 3rd gen Nova? Any suggestions to work around this?
Thanks in advance... I'm kind of at a stand-still on how to get these burned in.155704155705155706
I'm in the middle of installing Hotchkis subframe connectors on my '70 Nova SS. I've done everything per instructions and made sure to prep the connectors as best as possible for solid MIG weld penetration. But, once I got the connectors up onto the car, was completely surprised by how poorly the back of the connector fits around the rear frame. Is this typical? I know the instructions say to use a Channel Lock to "bend the rear tab in", but I have no idea how to finagle a Channel Lock in there, and how to MIG weld all those gaps.
At first I thought maybe the car was out of alignment, but the fit-up is the same on both sides; the outboard tab (2 oval holes in SC) fits very, very well. Super annoying that it's behind the leaf spring perch, but it's against the outside of the frame. The inboard SC tab (4 ovals), is tight against the frame at the front, but then grows to a 1/2" gap at the rear.
Is the entire connector not to be welded in? Even if I get the tab bent a little towards the frame, there is still an approximate 1/2" gap at the bottom of the rear ovals on the inboard tab.
Fairly disappointed in this install. There was a LOT more work involved than the directions and their Youtube video on a similar F-body install.
Has anyone installed these on a 3rd gen Nova? Any suggestions to work around this?
Thanks in advance... I'm kind of at a stand-still on how to get these burned in.155704155705155706