pulling the body off, help.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 18,398
Likes: 0
From: If the world didnt suck, we would all fall off. Troy,Ohio.
Cruise-In VI Veteran
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07-'08
pulling the body off, help.
I need to pull the body from my 77, I jacked up the front yesterday to change the front tires and it made a weird CRACK noise. It sets lopsided,
I'm sick all over
What is the correct routine to pulling it off? I really need the help.
I'm sick all over
What is the correct routine to pulling it off? I really need the help.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Where did you have the jack positioned when you lifted the car? The most common spot is that front cross member under the front of the motor.
Have you climbed under it to see what you heard? Maybe it was the A-arm bushings letting loose.
Have you climbed under it to see what you heard? Maybe it was the A-arm bushings letting loose.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 18,398
Likes: 0
From: If the world didnt suck, we would all fall off. Troy,Ohio.
Cruise-In VI Veteran
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07-'08
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 18,398
Likes: 0
From: If the world didnt suck, we would all fall off. Troy,Ohio.
Cruise-In VI Veteran
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07-'08
Looks like someone welded a plate clear across the drivers side part of the frame, the pas side is still good. I found a frame for $1400 shipped, time to pull the body. I'm glad this happend in the garage and not on the road. This just makes me sick all over..
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,669
Likes: 3
From: Kingston Ontario
Jacked up the front end yesterday, located a replacement frame and starting body off today!! WOW, slow down!!
I'm guessing you saw this coming!
Jacked up the front, how and where exactly? Sounds to me like you have a plan, got lot's of room? Going to refresh body or strictly a frame replacement?
Start by removing front bumper, rear bumper and electrical connections. That should keep you busy until, I don't know, 10:30??
I'm guessing you saw this coming!
Jacked up the front, how and where exactly? Sounds to me like you have a plan, got lot's of room? Going to refresh body or strictly a frame replacement?
Start by removing front bumper, rear bumper and electrical connections. That should keep you busy until, I don't know, 10:30??
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 971
Likes: 7
From: roanoke va
I hate to say it but it sounds like you may have birdcage troubles. Did you have any water entering the inside of the car from the windshield area? You need to pull the kick panels and check for heavy rust inside them and pull the covers off of both #3 body mounts for inspection.
I would go over the car with a fine tooth comb before you order any thing. You need to get an idea of how much damage/money you are looking at.
I would go over the car with a fine tooth comb before you order any thing. You need to get an idea of how much damage/money you are looking at.
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
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 18,398
Likes: 0
From: If the world didnt suck, we would all fall off. Troy,Ohio.
Cruise-In VI Veteran
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07-'08
I hate to say it but it sounds like you may have birdcage troubles. Did you have any water entering the inside of the car from the windshield area? You need to pull the kick panels and check for heavy rust inside them and pull the covers off of both #3 body mounts for inspection.
I would go over the car with a fine tooth comb before you order any thing. You need to get an idea of how much damage/money you are looking at.
I would go over the car with a fine tooth comb before you order any thing. You need to get an idea of how much damage/money you are looking at.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
From: Rowlett Texas
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
If the frame is that bad, I doubt the birdcage is OK.
The windshield cracked because the birdcage bent/twisted.
Be prepared for the worst ... or just pack a bowl and fuggetaboutit.
Good Luck
The windshield cracked because the birdcage bent/twisted.
Be prepared for the worst ... or just pack a bowl and fuggetaboutit.
Good Luck
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 1,246
Likes: 1
Most common mistake, people like you are why they sell the dent removal tool. The front crossmember is not a good jacking point.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
When did I ever say that's where I put the jack? When did I ever suggest to anyone that that's where to put the jack. I asked him a question, and used a common spot as reference so he wouldn't just say, "The front."
People like me? See yourself out of this one pal.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
The front crossmember can be a fine jacking point, if the frame is in good shape.
This, with the caveat that the frame will set down on jack stands
promptly after jacking up ... stands on either side at front of door.
The crossmember dent tool is for people at car shows with mirrors.
To prevent denting and jack slippage .... you need a jack plate installed:
http://webpages.charter.net/davekimt...e_paint_04.jpg
This, with the caveat that the frame will set down on jack stands
promptly after jacking up ... stands on either side at front of door.
The crossmember dent tool is for people at car shows with mirrors.
To prevent denting and jack slippage .... you need a jack plate installed:
http://webpages.charter.net/davekimt...e_paint_04.jpg
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 2
From: Arkansas
Pro
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 738
Likes: 9
From: Fallbrook CA
So you jacked up the front and broke rear gussets (whatever those are) and cracked the windshield. Now the body is tweeked. A plate is welded under the drivers side. Plus, insurance will pay for repairs. Assuming this isn't some sort of joke, your salt encrusted Ohio frame is completly gone. I'd like to see some pictures if possible, sounds too bad to be true...gp
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 18,398
Likes: 0
From: If the world didnt suck, we would all fall off. Troy,Ohio.
Cruise-In VI Veteran
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07-'08