Looking at a Pontiac Wagon,What should I offer?

If you want to get really lazy, you do not even need to pull the wheel off, just slide the wheel still bolted to the axle and drum right out once you pull the C-Clip.

 

I have the original paper manuals, but the CD version is really nice to be able to search by keywords. Print what you need for the job and not worry about grimy fingerprints.

BTW, since its a pretty large .pdf document, you might get better performance if you copy the file from the CD to your hard drive.

 

Also note to remove the c clips from the axles you'll have to first remove the spider gear pin which is held in place with a small 5/16" (or close to) set bolt. Once the set bolt is removed the spider gear pin can slide out allowing the axle shaft to push in enough to let the clips be removed.

I would recomend removing the wheel/drum assembly first. Trying to reinstall the axle with the weight of drum-wheel-tire on you'll probably damage the newly installed axle seal. Also be sure to inspect the axle itself where the seal & bearing ride. GM's are noted for the bearing wearing a groove in the axle as that is the bearings inner race. Once that happens the axle needs to be replaced.

If the brake shoes have gear oil contamination replace them now too, once they are oil soaked it's impossible to clean the oil out. As they heat up the oil will seep out of the pores of the lining causing the brake to grab/lock up.
Good luck with your project!

 

Yeah, as I mentioned in my post quoted below several weeks ago, it is a 2-seat wagon. I found out one way to easily tell about the 73-77 GM wagons (mid-size) is that if it has the vent window at the back of the cargo area window, its a 3-seat wagon... if not, its a 2-seat wagon. Only stipulation would be if the windows had been replaced out of another wagon.

Glad to see someone bought it thats going to restore it. Its a neat wagon for sure.

Example... not the vent windows on these 73 Malibu Estate and Malibu wagons... these are 3-seaters...



as are these 74 LeMans Safari and Luxury LeMans Safari... (74-back were called Luxury LeMans Safari)

 

How's that Poncho coming along, chrriff??

 

At the moment,its not going anywhere. I havent done much due to lack of any disposable income I can throw at it.

Ive been sizing up the job of replacing the rear wheel seal its gonna need and the brakes,just researching parts and costs and stuff. Been researching how to do the job,as Ive never done a rear wheel seal before. Seems easy enough though.

Today I removed the Passenger upper door panel so I could remove the lock cylinder. The door key the previous owner gave me with the car doesnt fit so I gotta get a key made.

When I got the car,the Drivers rear door was stuck(wouldnt open) and the upper Door panel was already off. I tinkered around a little and got that rear door mechanism to start functioning again,so now the door open,closes and locks properly.


I have purchased a set of Used Pontiac dogdish hubcaps for it to spruce it up a little. The car is at my rented storage unit and I visit it on a daily basis,brainstorming what I can do next that wont cost me any money.

 

Sounds like you are doing just fine, chrriff. No money doesn't mean you can't still give it a little luvin care! Keep up the good work....you'll find things to fix that need to be fixed without droppin' a lot of cash.

 

Yup, elbow grease is cheep.

 

Oh,I almost forgot one other thing ive done,one VERY important thing. I went ahead and got the paperwork sorted out for the bonded title. I have all my documents ready,all I have to do now is go to my insurance company and purchase a bond for $50,take the bond back to the DMV and spend another $4.00 there and theyll cut me a title.

Since I already know the car runs,getting the title will seal the deal.

 

See....there ya GO. All those things have to be done and now's a good time to do them.

 

Road legal is the first step to road worthy. Progress is progress.

 

Technically speaking,sure I gave the guy money and I am in possession of the car,but thats it. I dont have any legal paperwork showing its mine. Yes I have a bill of sale. I cant get insurance and Registration with just a bill of sale. So yes I have to get the paperwork squared away prior to anything else.Right now the car is only a parts car in the eyes of the DMV.

 

But not in OUR eyes!!! That's a cool wagon on it's way to being saved and preserved. Good on ya, chrriff.

 

Well its finally MINE!!

Its mine,Mine I tell you!!!(Insert Evil laugh here)

Seriously though,today I went to the insurance company,spent $50 on a Bond for the title,took it and all the other paperwork with me to the DMV,paid the $4.00 and in exchange I got this:

 

That's great! How does AZ figure the cost on the title bond, is it based on the vehicle cost?