#1  
Old 05-06-2023, 11:16 PM
RocktimusPryme's Avatar
RocktimusPryme RocktimusPryme is offline
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Default I could use some pictures of 62 Cat rear suspension.

I tried google and didn’t get what I needed. My 62 Safari has been heavily bubba modified. Which, there is a time a place for, but I don’t know what is bubba and what isn’t.

I have dual rear springs. Is that normal for a wagon? The inner spring on one side is loose and getting caught in random places.

The shocks look like someone welded bars in for eyelet mounts. This part I’m actually okay with, because apparently 62 pontiac rear shocks are goofy. But I would still like to know if I am correct and that is not how it’s supposed to be.

Lastly my rear drums are hashed worse than I have ever seen. Both sides appear okay other than the drums but there is no adjuster! That can’t be normal right? I would love if someone has a shot of a proper put together rear drum.
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  #2  
Old 05-07-2023, 12:25 AM
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Stuart Stuart is offline
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Default

That extra spring is some sort of aftermarket (or home made) deal, it certainly wasn't a factory setup.
Brakes back then weren't self adjusting, you had to periodically rotate that little star wheel shown in your pic to adjust them by hand

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Old 05-07-2023, 12:59 AM
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RocktimusPryme RocktimusPryme is offline
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Interesting. It must have come soon after. I had a 64 with self adjusting brakes.

Are the rear drums essentially the same as later models? If I were going to do a complete rebuild with new hardware could I easily setup from say a 64-5 and get self adjusters?

When I looked up drums it actually showed me some that were in use all the way up to Buick wagons in the 80s.

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  #4  
Old 05-07-2023, 05:45 AM
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Stuart Stuart is offline
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The rear drums were the same up through 1964. Self adjusting was added in 1963. Here's a discussion about adding the self adjusting hardware: https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com...d.php?t=804289

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Old 05-07-2023, 11:03 AM
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pfilean pfilean is offline
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Parts book listings for springs for 61-63 wagons has some listings saying "used in pairs" but with no explanation of what that means. But the picture section only shows single springs each side. Your picture sure looks like some home brew attempt for helper springs. I have seen them added on the shocks but not inside the spring.

Shocks for 61, 62 63 and 64 are all separate lines like no apparent interchangeability. Possibly that is only because of diameter and valving but all might mount the same. Except I know that the 61 were a different mount. I think the 61 had the lower stud included with the shock which then bolted to the axel bracket. For 62 and later the lower stud was part of the axel bracket. The 61 specific shocks are now unobtainable. But the stud can be bought separate as a repair item and the later socks can then be used. That has been discussed before here and should be found with a little searching.

Here is a 61 picture from a wagon which shows the sway bar but 62 should look the same. Except it turned itself upside down but you get the picture
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Old 05-08-2023, 02:28 PM
Goatracer1 Goatracer1 is offline
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I put 1964 rear drums and self adjusters on my 1962 Bonneville HDTP. If you do this remember there are LEFT and RIGHT adjusters with self adjusting brakes. You will have to cut a slot in the backing plate to reach the new adjuster wheel. The drums by the way were much beefier than the 1962 ones.

  #7  
Old 05-09-2023, 06:34 AM
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RocktimusPryme RocktimusPryme is offline
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The rear bumper is a mangled mess where someone made a square to put a hitch receiver through. So that probably has something to do with the double springs.

Yeah I found the threads about shocks being strange. But honestly if it’s just two eyelet ends I don’t see the big deal. Just measure and find a shock. I assumed someone welded the eyelet mounts on but maybe that’s factory.

If someone has a 62 with the fuse block in pretty good shape I would love a picture of that under dash. Mine has a hot green wire hanging down on a spade terminal that is probably supposed to hook on somewhere but I don’t know where. And a big cross shaped section in the center that I assume should have something plugged in but it’s blank.

I’m not sure what I’m going to do about the brakes immediately. They work. So part of me wants to just leave them be for a time. Then come back later and do all four drums, wheel bearings and all. New booster and dual MC. My booster adult leaks.

The problem is while they work, they work almost too well. You have to depress the pedal very carefully to avoid being put through the windshield. It’s like, gentle slowing, gentle slowing, locked up! And it comes in a hurry. So maybe I will have to give those more immediate attention.

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https://www.youtube.com/@CatfishMotorsports

Last edited by RocktimusPryme; 05-09-2023 at 06:45 AM.
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