Hey,

I have a 1965 Vista Cruiser that I want to make roadworthy. It's a 5.4-liter manual transmission.

I noticed right away that the Olds was sitting a little crooked on its wheels.
Now I've got it on the lift and I see that the springs on the left side of the rear axle are loose, meaning they have no preload, unlike the ones on the right.

Incidentally, there are always two springs on each side of the rear axle. So one smaller spring inside a larger one. Is that normal?

I looked for new springs at Rockauto and found that there are no springs for the rear axle.

Instead, there are dampers with springs, i.e., struts. What are they for?
The springs and shock absorbers are separate in this rear axle variant. Why do they sell struts that connect the spring and shock absorber?

Does anyone have any idea how I can get the rear axle repaired on this car? Where can I get new springs?

Thanks!

 

Welcome. Please allow some help with the terminology, from the description the problem is with the rear suspension not the axle. It would help if photos could be posted in case someone actually changed the complete rear axle/differential complete from side-to-side.

It sounds like some modifications have been made. My memory is that the car should have one coil spring on each side (not two) and one shock absorber on each side (not a strut). The shock absorber should attach to the differential/axle housing on the bottom and to the frame/chassis at the top.

Another member will likely know exactly which shock absorber and spring will work if modifications have not been done to the differential/axle and the frame/chassis, this is where photos would help.

A '65 Vista Cruiser is a nice car!

 

#1. 5.4 liter is a 330 cubic inch engine. Manual transmission ? 3 speed manual transmission ?
#2. Coil springs on the rear differential are not always in a "pre-loaded" condition when lifted using the frame. Coil springs and their length can be determined by load and spring rate. Station wagon springs are generally for heavier body weight. The two springs on one side is strange. One coil spring on each side is normal.
#3. RockAuto is not a good source for front or rear suspension springs. We have some knowledgeable people on here that can post charts and spring suppliers. Wait for them to chime in.
#4. Sometimes shock absorbers have springs coiled around them. Some people use these for extra load capacity. "Struts" are a "new technology word". Shock absorbers typically damp (subdue) sudden differential movements. They cushion bumps and holes in the road (pothole). Without the shock absorbers, the body would continue to bounce (oscillate) up and down after hitting a bump or pothole for a distance down the road. On a bumpy road, the car would never quit bouncing. Make sense ?
#5. You don't have to repair the differential. You need proper rear coil springs and shock absorbers..

 

The Moog Catalog shows Moog Part #5231 for the 2 seat Vista Cruiser.

 

Hello everyone,

Here are a few photos I took of the rear axle.

Yes, it is a manual 3-speed transmission. The car was already presented here a few years ago by the previous owner:
https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...3-tree-177858/

Now I have it and want to make the car roadworthy.
It looks pretty run down, but the substance seems to be fine.

Regarding terminology: Since I am not a native English speaker, I may not always find the correct words.
I am from Germany, but I try my best to check my translations.

Once I have made the car roadworthy for German roads, I will consider whether to keep it as it is (as a rat) or whether it should be restored.

So far, I have been desperately searching for various spare parts, such as individual parts for the crank mechanism in the tailgate.
Some parts are defective and no longer available due to rust.

I would be delighted to find a few details here in the forum to help me move forward.
I will open a new thread in a moment to introduce myself.
Edit: https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...germany-187764

Thank you and best regards from Berlin, Germany.

 

Interesting on the springs. It may have been done due to the funeral car service for extra weight carrying capacity.

 

Hello,

Can anyone help me find out where I can order new springs and mounts?
The mount at the top (in the body) seems to be loose.

Thanks and best regards

 

The "mount" at the top of the spring is part of the frame. If it's really loose, the frame is broken. More likely is that you are seeing motion with the suspension at full droop. This is normal.

 

I mean the connection between the spring and the body. There is a rough piece of plastic there that doesn't look like it fits properly because it is worn. It's difficult to photograph while the springs are still installed. Maybe I should dismantle everything first to take a photo.

I'm curious to see what the German technical inspector will say when he sees that the spring moves when raised. I hope this isn't his first American classic car of this type.

 

If it is the center spring mount, just remove it and the center spring and go back with the stock single rear spring replacement.

 

The springs only mounts to the axle at the bottom. The bigger springs on your car are the originals springs. someone added the smaller ones on the inside.
On the drivers side you can still see the ID tag attached to it. (Probably says "PS" because that was the spring used on the 33865 model station wagon for export. Original part # 9776264)
The top of the spring has a Rubber piece attached. The top just sits inside of a groove in the frame mount.
you can see it in the following pictures. These are of my 65 cutlass which is almost identical to your vista cruiser. Your shock mounts different then mine.

This image you can see the rubber piece on the top of the spring and how it mounts at the lower side to the axle.


this image you can see the groove in the frame mount that the top of spring sits in.

 

Here are a couple pages from the assembly manual that may help you. Your shock mounts like the second page.

 

The isolator at the top of the spring is just a rubber islolator. The rubber wears out. It isn't structural, just prevents squeaks. Nothing retains the top of the spring except the weight of the car.

 

Great, thank you!
That's what I'll do.

I'll take it all apart tomorrow and just remove the smaller springs. Then I'll see how it feels.