[C2] Differential removal, will this work?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 438
Likes: 185
From: Auburn Wa
Differential removal, will this work?
Earlier this summer I redid the whole rearend of my 66 with the body on. You know, wire brushing, sanding the frame on my back under the car. Then installed rebuilt trailing arms, rear end, etc. Not looking forward to doing the rest of the frame that way I decided the body must come off as it was down to just a shell anyway. Here's my question, if I remove the shocks, loosen and drop the differential cross member, take the trailing arms bolts and front differential bolt out can this slide out as a full unit? Looks obvious but I don't want surprises.
Last edited by I'll C2 it; Sep 26, 2020 at 07:40 PM.
Drifting<br><img src="/forums/images/ranks/2k-3k.gif" border="0">
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 1,868
Likes: 827
From: Grosse Pointe, MI
I'm not sure that you'll easily be able to remove the cross member. I wasn't able to get mine out when I tried and I've read others had to use really big pry bars. If you want the differential out I'd just unbolt it.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 438
Likes: 185
From: Auburn Wa
Thank you, that's plan B since I can get to those from the top. The crossmember is already blasted and painted and the frame is scheduled for Tuesday so I would like to separate them there. It was a FIGHT the first time! Since it's new maybe not so much. Thanks for the reply.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 5,662
Likes: 2,344
From: Lake Minnetonka, Mn
2018 C1 of Year Finalist
It is easy. Get a power hammer and center it on the ends of the cross member. It will take about four seconds for the cross member to drop on each side. Make sure you have something to support it when it separates. It will come down hard and fast.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 438
Likes: 185
From: Auburn Wa
Yes, new sombrero's were installed. I disassembled and reassembled piece by piece, I just don't want to take the rear totally apart again if not necessary. Thanks for the input.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,734
Likes: 267
From: Richmond Texas
I've removed my crossmember before. I used a prybar on both sides and worked it down. It was easy. I actually pulled the rear end without removing the exhaust. .. you should be able to remove the whole thing as a unit, but it's going to be bulky and hard to roll without something to stabilize the control arms.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 37,671
Likes: 1,115
From: CA
I'd take it back off so as to not sand blast the rubber on the sombrero's...everything else is off....it's only 2 bolts to remove it...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 8,913
Likes: 283
Use a 2x4 as a brace between the two training arm spring bolt mounts. That and the half shafts should keep the trailing arms from folding or being wobbly. Unbolt the sombrero bolts, and the front training arm bolts. Jack the frame up and then just roll the whole thing out the back of the car with the tires on.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 101
Likes: 31
I prefer using a hole saw to cut an access hole in the rear deck to get to the bolts that hold the differential to the cross member. Measure twice, cut once. No one will see it under the carpet and rubber hole plugs when you're done will look like it was that way from the factory.
Last edited by C2nut; Sep 27, 2020 at 12:08 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 438
Likes: 185
From: Auburn Wa
All went OK. It came apart easily. I loosened all the bolts mentioned and proped everything up. I put the jack under the frame to lift it and the sombrero's separated from the weight. All is good and the frame is ready to go to the shop for blasting and paint. Pics to follow soon.
Last edited by I'll C2 it; Sep 27, 2020 at 11:37 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 137
Likes: 10
From: Connecticut
Is it possible to remove the differential and crossmember without removing the entire suspension? I need to have my rear differential rebuilt but will need to still be able to keep the car rolling.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 859
Likes: 53
From: Magnolia Texas
Probably gonna be hard to move the car without the differential in the car.... the half shafts form part of the suspension. Without them in place .. and connected to the differential, there will be little horizontal stability to the rear suspension.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 438
Likes: 185
From: Auburn Wa
And the spring must come out also. I removed and reinstalled as a complete unit. Your trailing arms can stay but as mentioned, I'm not sure about support to roll the car. You're this far into it, how about new u-joints and maybe even trailing arms bushings?
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 13,639
Likes: 3,584
From: NorCal
I prefer using a hole saw to cut an access hole in the rear deck to get to the bolts that hold the differential to the cross member. Measure twice, cut once. No one will see it under the carpet and rubber hole plugs when you're done will look like it was that way from the factory.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,734
Likes: 267
From: Richmond Texas
I prefer using a hole saw to cut an access hole in the rear deck to get to the bolts that hold the differential to the cross member. Measure twice, cut once. No one will see it under the carpet and rubber hole plugs when you're done will look like it was that way from the factory.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 101
Likes: 31
Last edited by C2nut; Dec 5, 2020 at 10:29 AM.