rear pumpkin cover replacement
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Phoeniz AZ
rear pumpkin cover replacement
Hi All,
I bought a new pumpkin cover alomst 12 years ago now. One of the bolts holding the fiberglass leaf spring penetrated the case and i deal with a slow leak...
Anyway... i have the spare tire carrier off, all bolts around the pumpkin off and am left with the 4 topside bolts. I can see the horizontal bar has two bolts at each end i loosened them but the cross arm/pumpkin cover did not drop.
I think i can get a rachet on the 4 bolts... but I just knocked off for the evening.
Should i expect that cross arm to come off by loosening the end bolts or should i deal with maneuvering a rachet onto the 4 bolts on top of the pumpkin?
1974 corvette convertible.
Thanks!!!
I bought a new pumpkin cover alomst 12 years ago now. One of the bolts holding the fiberglass leaf spring penetrated the case and i deal with a slow leak...
Anyway... i have the spare tire carrier off, all bolts around the pumpkin off and am left with the 4 topside bolts. I can see the horizontal bar has two bolts at each end i loosened them but the cross arm/pumpkin cover did not drop.
I think i can get a rachet on the 4 bolts... but I just knocked off for the evening.
Should i expect that cross arm to come off by loosening the end bolts or should i deal with maneuvering a rachet onto the 4 bolts on top of the pumpkin?
1974 corvette convertible.
Thanks!!!
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Phoeniz AZ
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Tapping might work but the taper Bob spoke of is going into rubber and it sometimes is really tough to get to let go. Depending on how loose everything is in the rear of the car be aware when it does let go its heavy and might come down pretty hard.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Phoeniz AZ
Oh - i see. Because it didnt look like anything was binding but i can imagine how the cross arm is jammed up by your description.
It seems possible, although a pain, to get on the 4 bolts with a rachet and a longer impact socket. If that's possible i dont look forward to re-assembling.
It seems possible, although a pain, to get on the 4 bolts with a rachet and a longer impact socket. If that's possible i dont look forward to re-assembling.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 199
Likes: 2
From: Suffern NY
Leave the bolts threaded in loosley when prying on the crossmember. This will catch the pumpkin and cross member when the bushings let go. If you don't leave the bolts in,
it can be very dangererous as the assembly drops down and crushes your feet and legs.
it can be very dangererous as the assembly drops down and crushes your feet and legs.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Phoeniz AZ
Thanks all - i used an old "pulley" puller at the cross arm ends, a few turns eased the arm down.
Before that i tried a socket / ratchet snaked in to get the top differential cover bolts w/o removing the cross arm, but couldnt nudge the bolts with the limited leverage.. and could predict loosing bolts down the hollow cross arm.
I found a different post where someone cut a hole to come in from the top... thats too invasive in my opinion.
Well since its all apart i wire brushed it and will paint the cross arm before re-assembly. I was pleased to see how well it and the rubber bushings were preserved.
Before that i tried a socket / ratchet snaked in to get the top differential cover bolts w/o removing the cross arm, but couldnt nudge the bolts with the limited leverage.. and could predict loosing bolts down the hollow cross arm.
I found a different post where someone cut a hole to come in from the top... thats too invasive in my opinion.
Well since its all apart i wire brushed it and will paint the cross arm before re-assembly. I was pleased to see how well it and the rubber bushings were preserved.
