So I'm running into a couple of issues with the wheel install. First, it's starting to look like I'll need to remove the axle shaft to remove the bad lug so I can replace it. Also, it's looking like I'm going to need to roll the fenders to make sure they don't hit my new tires. I'm looking for a fender roller in the area, but if I can't find one soon, I'm going to try it with a baseball bat.

 

Sorry for the lack of updates, I've been to busy actually working on the car haha. As you well know, I had to take apart the rear axle to change the bad lugs. But Scooch, your wait is finally over





After a lot of annoyance, we finally got the rear axle out:



Figured as long as the diff cover is off, I might as well paint it:





Here's a peek of how I've been working:



And finally, the rims. Let me tell you, the rears were a HUGE pain in the ****. First of all, the center opening wasn't big enough to go around the hub decent. It's as though it was manufactured to the right clearance, but the addition of the paint made it so the rim wouldn't go on decent. I sure hope I don't have to remove them anytime soon, because they ain't coming off easy. At one point I took the lugs back off to try to take the wheel off, and I had to stand up and kick it really hard to get it off...and it wasn't even on all the way. I also had to mess with the adjustable panhard to make sure I had clearance for the 295s on both sides. I thought I had the rear centered, but apparently I didn't. But anyway, I eventually did get the rims installed and I washed up the car to get to Automotion in Wisconsin Dells today, so here are some pics from that:

First, I parked by a couple fellow F-bodies








changed location, again parking next to a fellow F-Body:




When I got home:












Wheels are C6 Z06 replicas from OEwheels LLC. 17x9.5 front, 18x10.5 rear. Wrapped in Nitto NT05 rubber. 275/40-17 front and 295/35-18 rear.

 

Looks great Spartan!

 

Hey Spartan, how did you do the oil in the rear differential? I know that the fluids should be changed to keep everything running smoothly, but I'm not sure on how to replace the oil for the gears. I've read that you can just put a ziploc bag with the oil sealed up in the differential, and the oil will get distributed while driving (Tearing up the bag, thus getting the oil in the gears). Is this how you went about it, or is there another way?

 

uh, DON'T do the ziploc bag thing. I mean, I don't know 100% if that will actually damage anything, but I think anything that's not fluid in the rear differential is bad. There's a square-drive plug in the top of the differential housing (passenger side, not on the cover). Put a 3/8" ratchet in the square and remove the plug. If you have a posi rear end, squirt 4 oz of Limited Slip Differential additive into the hole. Then squirt 1.75 quarts of differential fluid into the same hole.

 

lol, never heard that one before. i think someone is gettin a line of bull. last thing you want is something floating around in the gears or bearings.

 

I guess all those TV shows featuring custom builds with hot rods and 4x4's are wrong, too, eh? Oh well, I didn't think it would cause any real damage at all, considering the plastic would just get ground to oblivion in the gears anyway. When I do the sway bars (Once they come in, that is), I was thinking of changing out the gasket and maybe cleaning up/painting the cover anyway, so I'll look for that plug. Thanks!

 

Spartan, the cars looking awesome. Really loving the width of the tires.

As far as the bag thing, the only time I've seen that on TV was on junkyard wars.

 

looks great man... Very nice Sparty. Time for a new SIG Pic!!!

 

thanks for all the compliments on the wheels, guys! And Scooch, I have a friend who likes doing car photography, and we plan to do an epic photoshoot this summer...new sig pic will probably happen then (unless I get bored enough...)