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

Need a procedure for 1981 rear strut rod removal

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 10-24-2018, 02:10 PM
  #1  
johngammel
Burning Brakes

Support Corvetteforum!
Thread Starter
 
johngammel's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jul 2009
Location: Englewood FL
Posts: 1,174
Received 37 Likes on 22 Posts
2017 C4 of the Year Finalist

Default Need a procedure for 1981 rear strut rod removal

A friend is coming over very soon and he has new bushings for his 1981. He wants to start on the rear strut rod which is something I've never done. We're using my 4 post lift which has a bridge jack. Tips/techniques/videos/things not to do???
Old 10-24-2018, 02:18 PM
  #2  
Easy Mike
Team Owner
Support Corvetteforum!
 
Easy Mike's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jun 2000
Location: Southbound
Posts: 38,928
Likes: 0
Received 1,470 Likes on 1,249 Posts
Cruise-In II Veteran

Default

Do you have a shock mount removal tool?
Old 10-24-2018, 03:24 PM
  #3  
Bikespace
Le Mans Master
 
Bikespace's Avatar
 
Member Since: Mar 2017
Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 9,135
Received 3,167 Likes on 2,351 Posts
Default

Don't assume you'll be able to reuse the shock mount bolts. Get a new set now, and be prepared to cut them out.

Even with the trailing arms cut out of the car, strut rods still attached, and with Kano Kroil, a MAPP torch, and a BFH, I was only able to remove one of two bolts.
Old 10-24-2018, 06:01 PM
  #4  
roscoe_v
Intermediate
 
roscoe_v's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jul 2016
Location: Parker Colorado
Posts: 41
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

When I replaced the rear suspension on my 81, I sprayed all the bolts daily for about a week with PB Blaster and tapped them with a mallet. They all came out easier than I thought they would and I replaced them all with new fasteners.

Edit: Here is a link to a video:

Last edited by roscoe_v; 10-25-2018 at 10:06 AM. Reason: Added link
Old 10-25-2018, 09:36 AM
  #5  
johngammel
Burning Brakes

Support Corvetteforum!
Thread Starter
 
johngammel's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jul 2009
Location: Englewood FL
Posts: 1,174
Received 37 Likes on 22 Posts
2017 C4 of the Year Finalist

Default

Do not have the tool. My biggest concern is safety - my '61 suspension is so, so simple. Worried this could "bite" if we don't do it correctly.

Get notified of new replies

To Need a procedure for 1981 rear strut rod removal




Quick Reply: Need a procedure for 1981 rear strut rod removal



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:14 PM.