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Chevy Nova Suspension - Let's Right this Nova Ship



1972 Chevy Nova Hotchkis Suspension Installation
It's important to clean out the rear shackle mount hole of any oldrubber left inside from the stock bushing. The new Hotchkis polyurethanebushings fit very precise, so there can be no leftover debris.Rough-grit sandpaper and some elbow grease will get the job done.		 1972 Chevy Nova Hotchkis Suspension Installation
With the mount holes cleaned up, the bushings can be installed. Payclose attention to the instructions here, as there are two differentpart numbers for the upper and lower bushings. Corey uses a large set ofchannel locks to press them in. Be sure to use the supplied lube, asthese are also Delrin bushings.		 1972 Chevy Nova Hotchkis Suspension Installation
The bushing sleeve slides in next. Again, be sure to use plenty of thesupplied lube here too.
1972 Chevy Nova Hotchkis Suspension Installation
Cory then whips out the channel locks to install the correct bushing onthe leaf spring.		 1972 Chevy Nova Hotchkis Suspension Installation
Loosely install the top of the shackle, as you'll need the flexibilityto get the spring in.		 1972 Chevy Nova Hotchkis Suspension Installation
Next, Cory installs the front spring mount to the spring. Remember, thispiece is not included in the kit, so you'll need to remove it from theold springs. Don't tighten them down all the way until it's in the car.
1972 Chevy Nova Hotchkis Suspension Installation
The front and rear of the springs now easily bolt right in to the stocklocations. As a tip, be sure to keep the bolts on the outside away fromthe gas tank...		 1972 Chevy Nova Hotchkis Suspension Installation
...It will give you more clearance when tightening them down.Cory also mentions not to fully tighten down the bolts until the car islowered off the jacks and under its own weight.		 1972 Chevy Nova Hotchkis Suspension Installation
Because the Hotchkis stainless steel U-bolts are lager in diameter thanstock, you'll have to bore out the holes on the leaf perch and shockmount with a 5/8-inch drill bit.
1972 Chevy Nova Hotchkis Suspension Installation
With the shock mounts bored out, they were ready to be installed. Besure the pads are correctly aligned with the center pin. Another tip: Besure to leave the U-bolts loose so you can get the shock mount insidethe wheel. Otherwise the outer area of the wheel or tire will get in theway.		 1972 Chevy Nova Hotchkis Suspension Installation
With the Hotchkis/Bilstein shocks mounted, the rear suspension upgradekit was ready to go. This setup also lowers the car in the rear about 2inches. But that all depends on the condition of the stock leaf springs.If they were plenty worn, the car was already lower than stock. Whenordering your shocks, be sure to check to see if you have stud or clevisshock mounts.		 1972 Chevy Nova Hotchkis Suspension Installation
It was then on to the Hotchkis 7/8-inch rear sway bar. Just pry open theurethane bushing mounts and install as shown. Exact location isn'timportant at this time.
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1972 Chevy Nova Front View 1972 Chevy Nova Hotchkis Suspension Installation 1972 Chevy Nova Hotchkis Suspension Installation
1972 Chevy Nova Front View 1972 Chevy Nova Hotchkis Suspension Installation 1972 Chevy Nova Hotchkis Suspension Installation
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