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I am sure I have seen this discussed in the past but I have searched and can't seem to find the threads.
I am looking at replacing the rear crossmember on a 62. Any thoughts on difficulty and procedure would be appreciated. If there are any old threads that you see, I would use them rather that having a lot of new discussion.
I am sure I have seen this discussed in the past but I have searched and can't seem to find the threads.
I am looking at replacing the rear crossmember on a 62. Any thoughts on difficulty and procedure would be appreciated. If there are any old threads that you see, I would use them rather that having a lot of new discussion.
Support the rear of the frame with jack stands, rear wheels just barely touching the ground. Remove the two shackle bolts (they will probably break anyway) swing the shackles out of the way. Remove the two rear body mount bolts (they'll break too). Remove the back bumper support bolts. Unscrew the spare tire bolt. Grind off the heads of the 8 rivets. Drop the rear crossmember. You may want to brace the rear of the body with 2 X 4" if left without crossmember for more than several days. Crossmember rivets are available, most people just bolt (grade 8) it back on to the frame.
Support the rear of the frame with jack stands, rear wheels just barely touching the ground. Remove the two shackle bolts (they will probably break anyway) swing the shackles out of the way. Remove the two rear body mount bolts (they'll break too). Remove the back bumper support bolts. Unscrew the spare tire bolt. Grind off the heads of the 8 rivets. Drop the rear crossmember. You may want to brace the rear of the body with 2 X 4" if left without crossmember for more than several days. Crossmember rivets are available, most people just bolt (grade 8) it back on to the frame.
Quote from a NCRS thread
Well, that's semi clear. Am I jacking up the frame until the tires are just about to clear the floor so the rear axle is almost hanging, taking the pressure off the springs? Right now I have the car up on jack stand, supported under the axle, so I can do some other work. I am assuming, from what you have said, that I can't do the crossmember replacement from this position.
I have to ask why you want to change the rear cross member. If it's a small rust problem you might want to reconsider
When I bought my '62 back in 1975 I found a rust hole, approx. the size of a quarter dollar on each end of the cross member. I had a professional welder put patches about 2" square on each side.
Now forty years later the cross member is still as solid as new.
Corvette Erie Car Club had an annual show on the July 4th week-end at Erie, PA. and I attended from 1975 through the final one in 1989. At one of the earlier showa, some publisher was giving away (Free!) a tabloid-size magazine featuring Corvettes. On the front page was an article "Restoring a C-1 Corvette". The first paragraph instructed: "Kneel down behind your C-1; push your finger through the rear cross-member...". I smiled as I knelt behind the '62...and was shocked
when my finger went STRAIGHT THROUGH!
My neighbor - sadly, deceased now - worked for Beyerl Chevrolet in Monroeville, PA. as a Parts man. I believe a new cross-member cost me $45 and a friend welded it in place
In April I will have owned it for FIFTY years!
On my '54 I had to fab some steel to replace last 5-6 inches of the frame too. The cross member rusted to the frame. It's not that difficult with the body off tho....
Good luck.
Have fun with yours...
Why couldn't I find that thread when I did a search???
Thanks
I have the same problem when I search for subjects. Is there a format to the search process we are not aware of ? Ie where do you put quotes or black slashes or whatever?
I have the same problem when I search for subjects. Is there a format to the search process we are not aware of ? Ie where do you put quotes or black slashes or whatever?
Once I got the subject of the thread, I went back and did a search using the thread name and still didn't find it. I must be doing something wrong.A lot of forum members don't like to address a problem if it's already been discussed, which I understand, but I do seem to have a problem using the search tool.
The first thing I noticed after I bought my 59 was a very small piece of metal holding the rear shackel to that crossmember, the rest had corroded away. Made me nervous to drive it. Bought a new member and replaced it in two days. Bolted the rear, welded the front.
There were some repairs on the ends of the crossmember when I purchased the car, around 16 years ago. I have thought about replacing it for years, because I thought it may be weakened. After reading a couple the the post, I decided to investigate further. I don't see any rust in the frame and I have tested the frame and crossmember with a center punch and hammer. I can't find any spot that is not solid. At this point I'm going to put this project off and put the money for other things that the car may need more.
Thanks for the help.
Once I got the subject of the thread, I went back and did a search using the thread name and still didn't find it. I must be doing something wrong.A lot of forum members don't like to address a problem if it's already been discussed, which I understand, but I do seem to have a problem using the search tool.
It's easier to search in google, most of the time CF threads come up.
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Slideshow: A Jaguar designer's personal project imagines what a modern front-engined Corvette might look like if Chevrolet revisited the golden age of the Stingray.
C1 crossmember
Cruz 
