Return to the BUILD
“In this stage, you assemble the left rear leaf spring and mount it to the frame of your Ecto-1.”
Contents
Parts
Materials: The parts supplied with this stage are all metal.
Magazine – Issue 10
- Model Instructions
- Rick Moranis: The Keymaster
- Vigo: The Living Painting
- Ecto-101: John Belushi
Build
Left Rear Leaf Spring
Step 01
Fit the this end of the Rear Suspension Leaf Spring into the Leaf Spring Front Shackle, as shown.
If you look closely, the two ends of the Rear Suspension Leaf Spring are not the same. Use the image below to ensure you have the correct end with this shorter spring tab:
Secure these parts together with two (2) LM screws, one on each side.
This is your friendly reminder to try using 3-in-One Oil on all screws going into metal:
Drive one (1) PM screw through the larger end of the Leaf Spring Rear Outer Shackle (marked ‘LO’) from the smooth side, as shown:
Then, run the same PM screw through the opposite end of the Rear Suspension Leaf Spring and into the Leaf Spring Rear Inner Shackle (marked ‘LI’) from the raised side, as shown:
Step 02
Retrieve your Rear Axle assembly from the previous stage. Fit the larger center hole of the Rear Suspension Leaf Spring assembly over the matching post of the Rear Axle, as shown:
Place the two pins of the Leaf Spring Clamp into the two matching holes on top of the leaf spring as shown, and secure these parts together with one (1) NM screw:
Step 03
Insert the Shock Absorber Spring into the Shock Absorber Lower Mount, as shown:
Push the ‘pin’ end of the Shock Absorber Upper Mount into the Shock Absorber Lower Mount, compressing the spring.
Take note of this small screw hole in the Shock Absorber Upper Mount. This is where the next screw will go:
Compress and twist the Shock Absorber Upper Mount into the Shock Absorber Lower Mount until this screw hole is visible in the slot and drive one (1) BM screw into it to secure the assembly together.
You should now be able to squeeze the mounts together against the resistance of the spring:
Retrieve your Chassis assembly and turn it upside down. Fit the notched end of the Shock Absorber Upper Mount to this location, aligning it to the matching tabbed hole…
… and secure it place from the top side with one (1) QM screw.
I found it much easier to attach this with the Chassis on its side:
Step 04
Place the Rear Axle/Leaf Spring assembly onto the underside of the Chassis so that the Leaf Spring Front Shackle aligns to this screw hole.
Slide the pin on the end of this center shock absorber through this angled hole of the Leaf Spring Clamp.
Make sure the other center shock absorber is also pointing up on the other side of the Differential Housing in the same way:
Before I secured this axle assembly in place, I found that it was easier to install the Propeller Shaft from Step 05 right now…
Retrieve the Propeller Shaft assembly from Stage 21. Fit one end into the hole at the back of the Gearbox Housing and the other end into the front of the Differential Housing, as shown.
Both ends are the same, so it can fit either way:
Now we can secure the Leaf Spring Front Shackle to the Chassis from the top side with one (1) RM screw:
Step 05
I completed this during the previous step.
Step 06
Align the Shock Absorber Lower Mount to this hole of the Leaf Spring Clamp, and secure with one (1) CM screw:
Next, align both of the Leaf Spring Rear Shackles to this hole of the Rear Chassis Frame, and secure with one (1) PM screw as shown.
You will likely need to lift the exhaust away from the Chassis a little to get to this screw:
Step 07
Fit the screw post of the Rear Outlet Pipe (28F) into this matching recess in the Rear Chassis Frame:
Secure this in place from the top side with one (1) IP screw:
Retrieve the Left Rear Exhaust Bracket (marked ‘L3’) from Stage 28. Slide the large hole of the Left Rear Exhaust Bracket over the end of the left Rear Outlet Pipe and secure it to this location of the Rear Chassis Frame with one (1) BM screw, as shown.
You may notice that the inside of the exhaust tip is already painted black, a nice touch:
Thoughts
The trickiest thing here is compressing the shock absorber while trying to align the tiny hole and insert the screw. Otherwise, I enjoyed this stage. We are getting closer to having a rolling chassis!
Next Up
Stage 32 – Left Rear Tire, Hub/Center Cap, Outer/Inner Wheel, Brake Fluid Hoses/Bracket