Leaker removed, factory TH200C and driveshaft
Time to upgrade the leaky factory 2.41 axle with a refurbished 7.5 GM axle, (swiped from the 1980 coupe) that was originally built for the old wagon twelve years ago.
Out with the old and in with the new
The new one has an Auburn cone-type limited slip and 3.73 gears.
Cuts in factory chassis braces
Installed the Hotchkis tubular control arms and frame stiffeners, also saved from the old wagon.
Braces tie the upper and lower control arms together
When I swapped in the refurbished axle, I also installed Hotchkis G-body rear coil springs to lower the car. But the wagon weighs about 200 lbs more, all the extra over the rear axle. That’s why the drag racers have eaten most of the decent Malibu wagons. Cheap and light for a drag car that can take a big-block. Ended up swapping in a pair of wagon Car-Go Coils from Moog (CC627). Easy to change later if I decide to go back down.