When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Propane works some of the time but the oxy/acetylene torch is just much more effective. Heat it up, PB Blast it, and they will unscrew themselves. You should see what it does for engine block plugs.
The latest version of the 1/2" all-thread spring compressor worked very well. Slow and controlled spring tension release. All attached to and contained by the frame for safety purposes.
Hoo-ray! The front suspension is all off....
Now on to the rear...
Last edited by leigh1322; Jun 19, 2020 at 12:29 PM.
Reason: rod size
The latest version of the 3/8" rod spring compressor worked very well. Slow and controlled spring tension release. All attached to and contained by the frame for safety purposes.
Hoo-ray! The front suspension is all off....
Now on to the rear...
I used something similar, but with 5/8 all thread.
Yes I liked the all-thread version much better than other spring compressors. Everything stays attached to and trapped by the frame.
I saw a front coil come loose once, went half-way thru a concrete block wall!!
OOps made a measuring mistake, my all-thread was 1/2" (not 3/8"). Don't want to give anyone bad information. Did not bend or strain. Worked fine.
I am becoming more pleased with the condition of this frame the more I dig into it. I was able to break all of the rear suspension bolts loose with hand tools, only needed heat once!
That includes the nortorious trailing arm bolts, the shock extensions, diff bolts, and even the strut rods!
My current theory is the "leaking from every seal" approach was a great advantage. because it kept everything well greased!!! LOL.
The cam bolts slid out with finger pressure. Who knew?
My current theory is the "leaking from every seal" approach was a great advantage. because it kept everything well greased!!! LOL.
The cam bolts slid out with finger pressure. Who knew?
Yup. I'd much rather encounter black greasy than crusty rusty any day! Crusty rusty means parts replacement rather than degrease and wire wheel.
Well both trailing arms are now out. Not too bad really considering some of the horror stories I have read.
I did find one rusty joint that just wouldn't budge! I will cut it apart later. That thing is so bound up so solid I stood on it and it only bent slightly! Extra 200 lbs to move it one inch.
It would have greatly increased the spring rate in the right rear like double or triple! Car must have ridden like a hard-tail Harley!
The rear bushings were in much better shape than the front. They were very dry, and very loose, but only one was seriously disintegrated. Guess which one?
One Inner strut rod bushing!
The front a-arm bushings were so much worse they were raining little black dust pieces on the ground!
Well the rear diff crossmember really threw me for a loop for a couple of days. I had just jinxed myself by saying how easy all the bolts were coming out, then this hit! The crossmember and it's mounting plate are both damaged some, but it is out. The right side diff crossmember bushing is still attached to the frame and will have to be cut off. It was rusted on very badly. It was easier to pull the crossmember out of the bushing, than pull the crossmember out of the frame. https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...er-advice.html
Looking forward to the next step "powerwashing" again!
Then it is off to the frame shop or sandblasting. At the frame shop we'll assess the removal damage and discuss possible repairs.
I am becoming more pleased with the condition of this frame the more I dig into it. I was able to break all of the rear suspension bolts loose with hand tools, only needed heat once!
That includes the nortorious trailing arm bolts, the shock extensions, diff bolts, and even the strut rods!
My current theory is the "leaking from every seal" approach was a great advantage. because it kept everything well greased!!! LOL.
The cam bolts slid out with finger pressure. Who knew?
I agree Leigh. That coating of oil and grease served to protect many of the surfaces that might otherwise have rusted due to exposure. Saved my frame, thats for sure.
Last couple of days I was able to power-wash both sides of the frame outside. There was still a lot of grease etc. that I could not get off when I washed the first time when it was still all assembled. Plus this time we could do the bottom too! Finally clean enough to work on! Somewhere I read it weighs 240 lbs in this condition. Felt about right. 3 of us could move it. 2 was more difficult. (David Howard later told me it was 300#, that could well be correct.)
I now have two frame spots that are shiny clean bare metal due to all the "protection" from years of leaking. Behind the trans rear mount and here, all around the MANUAL steering box. I did not expect this area to have leaked for so bad and for so long and it was the greasiest spot on the frame.
I finally got my stuck diff cross-member bushing removed with only minor damage to the frame itself. For some reason this bushing had the worst rust on the frame, it was the 1/8" thick black iron II oxide type that is very aggressive. Fortunately I caught it in time and the sombrero was not structurally compromised.
Last edited by leigh1322; Dec 5, 2020 at 11:25 AM.
Slow progress this week. Family projects.
I did put the cross-member dent repair tool to work. I had about a 1 inch deep dented section from floor jacks.
Once I figured out how the tool works, I probably got 85-90% of the dent out on the first pull! I could watch and feel it bend the steel.
I will try some strategically placed washers when we get back from vacation and see if I can improve on it some more.
Heading to Acadia Park in Maine tomorrow!
Last edited by leigh1322; Jul 12, 2020 at 08:41 PM.
A friend loaned me a "lil" truck to help me move the frame to the sandblasters
It's a beast to drive with a Cat turbo Diesel and a manual. But the 240 lb frame loading / unloading is a 1 finger & one person job!
Can hardly wait to see it all "naked" clean.
Murrrica eh?