Strut rod replacement

After I changed the half shaft ujoints I was looking, and I think I need to change the strut rods, it looks like a PITA to do, the bolt to remove the strut is right in behind the spring so how do you pull this out without dropping the spring or am I missing something.
This is what I was thinking of replacing them with

http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb....Z5Z5Z50000050G

Thanks for any help
Todd

 

the spring attaches to the shock mount spindle area. the strut rod attaches to the shock mount itself which really isnt a bolt its a stud. via a hard to get off sometimes bracket (seen in pic) and then up into the top of the suspension. if youre going all out then loosen the bottom nut and hope that you can get the rod to slip off with a little help, if your going to an alignment shop dont worry bout the camber bolts then just take the top bolts out. you then may need to get an alingment done what makes you think they need to be replaced? sometimes they bend other times just replace the bushings but the ones you show in the pic should work fine for you. you will have better alignment adjust ment with the ones you show.

shock mount

 

Hello
To get the shock mount out, it is best to use a shock mount removal tool. This is a round piece of metal about 3 inches long that will thread onto the shock mount bolt. You can then hammer the mount of of the trailing arm. A new shock mount is under $50 at most catalog companies. It has a D shaped grove on one end that helps with the installation and alignment.

kdf

 

thanks for the info but i am talking about the the one bolt that holds on the strut on up under the axle the spring is right in front of the bolt head, i would not be able to pull the bolt out as it will hit the front edge of the spring

 

looking at this pic that top bolt #8 in the pic goes from the front and the nut is on the back or the rear of the strut by the spring if that's the case then my bolts have been put in the wrong way i know that this is not an 81 pic.

http://www.vansteel.com/index.cfm?fu...&SubGroup=1602

anyone????

 

We have the adjustable strut rods on the forum sale right now.

Strut Rod Assembly "Poly Bushings" 80-82 $41.65
http://willcoxcorvette.com/product_i...ducts_id=25753

The strut rods are not easy to get out and prior to about two months ago we remove the shock bolts in then normal fashion only we would clamp the lower spindle support with a C clamp to prevent the shock from the hammer from spreading the spindle support when we hit it. However, a few months ago someone posted a picture on using a two leg puller on the shock mounting bolt and we tried this! It worked without a flaw and the plus was there was no shot at damaging the rear spindle support. You might search the archives for this, if I can I’ll try this tomorrow.

To remove the camber bolts, I’ve pasted a picture below that should help you. It is from the Assembly manual and shows you the correct way the strut rods should be attached.

If you do remove the camber bolts, it’s always a real good idea to mark them before removal. This will prevent you from having to align the rear end of the car should it not be needed. This will preserve the Camber Adjustment on the wheels.

If the bolts are in backwards, you will need to remove the spring from the car. This is really not a big deal, you have to remove the outer two bolts first and then remove the three in the middle to lower the spring.



Willcox Inc.

 

Here is a link to the thread.
This will take them out even if very rusted with no damage.
Lots of good penetrating oil and a quality puller.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...-shaft-c3.html

 

Thanks all
will be looking at this over xmas break but for now i will take a small coffee can fill it with some oil and soak that lower shock mount.

The strut rods are fine its the bushings that are gone so, me thinks i will just replace the bushings for now and new adjustable rods later.

As for the top strut bolt it shows it going in from the the front in the pic ???? my bolt goes in from the rear fiberglass spring is in the way, will have to see.

Anyone have a picture of 81 rear end with the fiberglass spring that shows those top strut bolts the bolts with the cam on them? and witch way they go in????

PS. willcox how much for a bushing set for the 81.

Thanks
Todd

 

The cost of the bushings + the labor is probably not worth just doing the bushings. We have them... http://willcoxcorvette.com/product_i...ducts_id=16969

The picture I posted above is from the 80-82 Assembly Manual. This is the correct assembly method for the camber bolts (7 in the picture).

Willcox