C3 General General C3 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

stuck trailing arm bolts

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 9, 2007 | 08:47 PM
  #1  
elecriciandude's Avatar
elecriciandude
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 229
Likes: 0
From: Crestview Fl
Default stuck trailing arm bolts

Hey Guys, besides P/B to help loosen the bushing bolts, what insight do I need to get those crusty bolts out,thxs ahead of time, Terry
Reply
Old Mar 9, 2007 | 09:07 PM
  #2  
Durango_Boy's Avatar
Durango_Boy
Team Owner
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Default

A Sawzall and a demolition blade will work wonders.
Reply
Old Mar 9, 2007 | 10:03 PM
  #3  
eastltd's Avatar
eastltd
Drifting
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,871
Likes: 6
From: Sault Ste. Marie Ontario
Default

I tried the sawsall but found I had bought blades that were too short. Since I was planning to replace the bushings anyway, and the shims were rusted away, I burned the bolts out with a torch. It wasn't pretty and some may call me "Bubba", but it got the job done quickly!

The final installation with new stainless shims and TA bolts looks great. No signs of "Bubba" in the end.

Good luck
Reply
Old Mar 9, 2007 | 10:14 PM
  #4  
scottw's Avatar
scottw
Burning Brakes
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,241
Likes: 4
From: Okinawa Okinawa
Default

I think most will say a sawzall. Mine is at the shop right know getting the same thing done. They are cutting them out with a sawzall. If you use a torch or any type of heat be very, very careful. Heat and fiberglass don't mix well.
Reply
Old Mar 9, 2007 | 10:17 PM
  #5  
JustForFun's Avatar
JustForFun
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,227
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta Ga
Default

i drive mine out with an air hammer
Reply
Old Mar 9, 2007 | 10:28 PM
  #6  
I'm Batman's Avatar
I'm Batman
Team Owner
Supporting Lifetime
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
Default

A couple of 8" bi-metal Sawzall blades from ACE Hardware will work wonders.
Reply
Old Mar 9, 2007 | 10:31 PM
  #7  
eastltd's Avatar
eastltd
Drifting
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,871
Likes: 6
From: Sault Ste. Marie Ontario
Default

Originally Posted by scottw
I think most will say a sawzall. Mine is at the shop right know getting the same thing done. They are cutting them out with a sawzall. If you use a torch or any type of heat be very, very careful. Heat and fiberglass don't mix well.

Good point! I had the body off the chassis when I did mine.
Reply
Old Mar 9, 2007 | 11:33 PM
  #8  
elecriciandude's Avatar
elecriciandude
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 229
Likes: 0
From: Crestview Fl
Default

thxs guys, I should have thought of the sawz-all.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Mar 9, 2007 | 11:57 PM
  #9  
yukon988's Avatar
yukon988
Racer
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 431
Likes: 0
From: Oita, Japan
Default

I sawzalled one side. The other side seemed a little looser so I worked at it and finally got it out. The sawzall side took about 20 minutes, the other side took a few hours. I ended up replacing both bolts. I wish I would have sawzalled both sides.
Reply
Old Mar 10, 2007 | 12:00 AM
  #10  
JustForFun's Avatar
JustForFun
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,227
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta Ga
Default

an air hammer will punch them out in about 2.5 secs
Reply
Old Mar 10, 2007 | 01:14 AM
  #11  
Durango_Boy's Avatar
Durango_Boy
Team Owner
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Default

Originally Posted by elecriciandude
thxs guys, I should have thought of the sawz-all.

If you get some Demolition blades...you'll be fine. They're long enough and designed to cut through almost anything.
Reply
Old Mar 10, 2007 | 01:51 AM
  #12  
Big2Bird's Avatar
Big2Bird
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,837
Likes: 1,028
Default

Originally Posted by Durango_boy
If you get some Demolition blades...you'll be fine. They're long enough and designed to cut through almost anything.
That's a little overkill. I use metal blades for metal, demo blades for stucco. 18T metal will blow it out.
Reply
Old Mar 10, 2007 | 02:29 AM
  #13  
I'm Batman's Avatar
I'm Batman
Team Owner
Supporting Lifetime
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
Default

Originally Posted by JustForFun
an air hammer will punch them out in about 2.5 secs
If the bolt isn't rustwelded to the bushing sleeve. Many of ours are. No force in the universe was going to separate them on my car, and it isn't very rusty on the underside.
Reply
Old Mar 10, 2007 | 10:18 AM
  #14  
Durango_Boy's Avatar
Durango_Boy
Team Owner
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Default

Originally Posted by I'm Batman
If the bolt isn't rustwelded to the bushing sleeve. Many of ours are. No force in the universe was going to separate them on my car, and it isn't very rusty on the underside.

What's with the Mr. A?
Reply
Old Mar 10, 2007 | 11:20 AM
  #15  
Duke94's Avatar
Duke94
Le Mans Master
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,640
Likes: 287
From: Ann Arbor Michigan
Default

Originally Posted by Durango_boy
A Sawzall and a demolition blade will work wonders.
Yep, sawzall does the trick.
Reply
Old Mar 10, 2007 | 01:39 PM
  #16  
I'm Batman's Avatar
I'm Batman
Team Owner
Supporting Lifetime
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
Default

Originally Posted by Durango_boy
What's with the Mr. A?
http://www.dialbforblog.com/archives/297/
Reply
Old Mar 10, 2007 | 10:35 PM
  #17  
elecriciandude's Avatar
elecriciandude
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 229
Likes: 0
From: Crestview Fl
Default threads or not

One more question, does the hole the bolt go thru have threads or is it just a bolt hole.can't tell by looking at it
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To stuck trailing arm bolts

Old Mar 10, 2007 | 10:42 PM
  #18  
'Bochawa72's Avatar
'Bochawa72
Pro
15 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 526
Likes: 1
From: Millington TN
Default

This is the only thing so far I took my car to the shop for. He said mine were pretty rusty and he had to cut em off with a plasma cutter. Glad I didn't try that one myself!
-CR
Reply
Old Mar 10, 2007 | 11:20 PM
  #19  
SIXFOOTER's Avatar
SIXFOOTER
Le Mans Master
Supporting Lifetime Gold
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
Default

Originally Posted by elecriciandude
One more question, does the hole the bolt go thru have threads or is it just a bolt hole.can't tell by looking at it
No the hole is not threaded, the bolt is only secured with a castle nut and cotter pin on the outboard side
Reply
Old Mar 11, 2007 | 12:02 AM
  #20  
rudolph schenker's Avatar
rudolph schenker
Safety Car
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,809
Likes: 237
From: Utah
Default

Originally Posted by scottw
I think most will say a sawzall. Mine is at the shop right know getting the same thing done. They are cutting them out with a sawzall. If you use a torch or any type of heat be very, very careful. Heat and fiberglass don't mix well.
Sawzall for me too!
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:29 AM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE