Return to the BUILD
“In this issue, you will mount the shock absorber, suspension control arm and brake disc on the left side of the rear axle.”
Contents
Parts
Materials: The Suspension Arm and Mount are metal and the other parts in this stage are plastic.
Magazine
- The Series – K.I.T.T. the Cat
- Build Your KI.T.T. – Step by Step
- Secret Files – Geena Davis
Build
Suspension and Brake Disc Assembly
Step 1
Retrieve your Chassis from the previous stage. Fit the Rear Left Shock Absorber Post into this left-rear hole of the Chassis, aligning the key of the Post into the matching slot of the Chassis, as shown:
Secure this Shock Absorber Post into place from the other side with one (1) BP screw:
Step 2
Fit the rounded end of the Rear Left Shock Absorber Base between these tabs of the Rear Left Shock Absorber Body, then secure these parts together with one (1) CP screw as shown:
Step 3
Slide the Rear Left Shock Absorber Body down onto the Rear Left Shock Absorber Post, and then align the free end of the Rear Left Shock Absorber Base into this circular recess of the Rear Left Axle Bracket (arrows below).
The head of the CP screw from the previous step should be facing towards the center of the Chassis, as shown:
Secure the Rear Left Shock Absorber Base to the Rear Left Axle Bracket with one (1) BP screw:
Step 4
Slide the narrower end of the Left Lower Suspension Arm (without the raised circular details) between these tabs of the Left Lower Suspension Arm Mount, then secure these parts together with two (2) GM screws – one screw on each side.
This Lower Suspension Arm can be installed upside down on accident. Be sure the open groove of the Arm is facing up and the bushing detail (circled below) is at the correct end, as shown:
Do not over-tighten these screws as the suspension parts should be able to move. This is also your friendly reminder to try using 3-in-One Oil on all screws going into metal:
This is the completed Suspension Arm:
Step 5
Fit the rear end of the Left Lower Suspension Arm between these tabs of the Rear Left Axle Bracket, and fit the post inside the Suspension Arm Mount into the matching hole of the Chassis, as shown:
Secure the Left Lower Suspension Arm to the Rear Left Axle Bracket with two GM screws, one on each side.
You may want to adjust the tightness of these two screws so the Arm is centered in the Bracket:
Step 6
At the opposite end, secure the Suspension Arm Mount into place from the other side with one (1) GM screw:
Step 7
Fit the Brake Oil Inlet to the Brake Disc Base, as shown.
On the real car, these are actually brake drums:
Secure the Brake Oil Inlet into place from the other side with one (1) AP screw:
Step 8
Bring this Brake Disc Base to the left side of the Rear Axle and connect the Left Rear Brake Line (from Stage 31) to the pin of the Brake Oil Inlet.
I cut my Brake Line a bit shorter here to remove some of the extra slack:
Slide this Brake Disc Base onto the left end of the Rear Axle, aligning the slot in the hole of the Base to the key of the Rear Axle, as shown:
Step 9
Slide the Brake Disc onto the two posts of the Brake Disc Base and secure it into place with two (2) DP screws.
While it doesn’t matter much, it is possible to install this Brake Disc upside down. The parking brake ‘detail’ (arrow below) should be towards the front of the Chassis, as shown. I painted this detail silver so it would be easier to see here, but it will not be visible once the wheel is installed:
Thoughts
Our left rear suspension is now finished. We had to pay close attention to the installation as some of these parts can be installed backwards. Also, the Brake Disc we assembled is not yet secured in place (other than by the Brake Line), so take care not to lose it. It will be secured once we mount the wheel in the next stage.
Next Up
Stage 37 – Rear Left Tire/Hubcap/Wheel/Brake Drum