Jesse 982

Does anyone know if the rear crossmember rubber mounts can be removed without destroying them on a 68 convertible . I pulled out the rear diff and crossmember and I would like to sandblast and paint the crossmember but have know idea how to remove the rubber bumpers / cushions. Do they press out or can you hammer them out? If they are removed does it damage them to the point that they need to be replaced?
They seem to be in pretty good shape and are kind of expensive to replace if there not needed.

I tried to search the subject and didnt come up with anything.

Bob K

To remove the bushings they can be pressed or hammered out. Pressing them out should be easier on them than pounding with a BFH. You will need to bend the tabs up on the top of the bushings before pressing them out. I would worry about them breaking off when you bend the tabs back down.

I'd replace the bushings since the crossmember is already out.

Bob K.

0Willcox Corvette

I've not had much luck with being able to re-install the bushings. Normally they kind of fuse to the side of the cross member. We remove them with our press, and we install them the same way, but if one is hung up the press will destroy it getting it out.

If it were me, I'd follow Bob K and have a set on hand to replace them with... or.... If they are not in bad shape, tape them off with some 3M 8403 polyester film tape before you blast and you should be fine.

Willcox

Jesse 982

Thanks for the advice to Bob K and Willcox. I will try masking them off. I tried bending the tabs back and I am sure it will destroy them If I try to remove them. They are in pretty good shape so I will try to save them.
Jesse 982

Ibanez540r

That was about the only bushing I did not replace because I was able to get it out and re-install without harming or damaging the bushing or tabs. So, depending on the condition, it can be done. Mine were no struggle at all.

Jesse 982

So did you use any type of lube or soapy water to press them back in? Also do yo place any lube on the sombrero mount when you reinstall the crossmember back back onto the frame?

Ibanez540r

I don't believe I did. I remember them going in pretty easy. The toughest part was bending the tabs back over far enough to secure them properly. I did lightly brush the sombreros with a copper anti seize.

rogernison

Can the rear crossmember be removed by simply lowering the differential?
I want to replace the crossmember cushions & the front differentil mount, but I would like to leave the drive shaft & half shafts connected.

teamo

Can the rear crossmember be removed by simply lowering the differential?

Not sure if you'll have enough clearance with the driveshaft still installed. Those cross member to differential bolts are going to be tough to remove if they've never been out of the car before. Better to disconnect everything and lower the differential and cross member down to the ground as a unit to make it easier to work on.

theandies

BFH and a lot of PB Blaster here. It took some time but I got them out.
Used a little anti-seize on the new ones and they installed without a problem. Replace them. They've been in there for almost 50 years.

rogernison

I have had the crossmember & differential out of the car before, but it has been a while. I don't know how far he differential will drop without disconnecting the driveshaft. Probably only need 3" or so, the crossmember could then be removed from the differential.
I am assuming it will be easier to replace the crossmember cushions with the crossmember out of the car. My car is on a four post lift with the wheel off & I do have a jack tray.

Grahamred70

The hard part is getting all the suspension out of the way and all the u bolts on the u/j's after that it's easy, I had a heck of a struggle with the lower shock mounts, took a couple of nights struggling with them, I used my trusty 2 leg puller on the X member mounts, backed the bolts off about 1/4" and screwed up the puller and they came with a pop!
Diff on the floor now ready for it's heart transplant!
Graham