C3 - T/A removal
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 433
Likes: 14
From: GA
C3 - T/A removal
I'm going to rebuild the front suspension, but I think rebuilding the T/A's is more work/aggravation/pain than I want. Are there any tricks or special tools needed to get these off so I can send them some where ? It's a '71 and the rear suspension has never been touched, except for shocks.
Thanks
Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,812
Likes: 2,029
From: eastern NC
I think the biggest aggravation can be the front bolt. They sometimes rust solid with the inner bushing sleeve. If you can't drive it out with a punch, some folks have carefully used a sawzall to cut the bolt. Once the swing arm is out removing the bushing is not too difficult.
Oh yea... lots of penetrating oil for a few days beforehand!
Good luck… GUSTO
Oh yea... lots of penetrating oil for a few days beforehand!
Good luck… GUSTO
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 1
From: New Cumberland PA
Originally Posted by Jim71Vette
I'm going to rebuild the front suspension, but I think rebuilding the T/A's is more work/aggravation/pain than I want. Are there any tricks or special tools needed to get these off so I can send them some where ? It's a '71 and the rear suspension has never been touched, except for shocks.
Thanks
Thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,662
Likes: 8
From: Knoxville Tennessee
I had to use a sawsall to cut both sides of the bolts that hold the front of the trailing arm to the frame. You can use a torch as well. I sprayed penetrating oil on them for days and still had to cust them. It isn't a big deal, just hard work and takes a little time to cut thru both sides of each bolt.
Bernie
Bernie
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,259
Likes: 7
From: Ontario
Originally Posted by BerniesVette
I had to use a sawsall to cut both sides of the bolts that hold the front of the trailing arm to the frame. You can use a torch as well. I sprayed penetrating oil on them for days and still had to cust them. It isn't a big deal, just hard work and takes a little time to cut thru both sides of each bolt.
Bernie
Bernie
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,545
Likes: 3
From: 406ci SB, AFR 180 Heads - 490 HP @5,600 RPM 529 lb-ft @ 4,100 RPM
Originally Posted by carguy4sure
Not much room in there to see what you are doing and without knowing it I was cutting into the bushing rather than the bolt. When I realized that and moved the saw outboard from the trailing arm a little it went fast.
But carguy I've seen your Vette and no "saw marks" to be found you have a beauty
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,406
Likes: 791
From: Redondo Beach, California
Originally Posted by mandm1200
The bolt in the front of the trailing arm can be difficult to remove. That will vary from car to car. I was luckier than some others. I was able to tap both bolts out. .
The trailing arms were bare when I removed them. I tried as best I could to balance them on a jack stand, the the arms in a horizontal position. This was to not place any load on the bolts. Being unloaded allowed them to freely slip out.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
IF the T/A front bushing is still OK, you can unbolt the entire
bearing carrier assembly for rebuild. Also, removing the bearing
assembly first - can make cutting the front pivot bolt easier, due
to better access.
My 75 - was rusted solid, so I did not even try to push them
out. I didn't even cut them - ended up putting the frame in
a junk pile. My 70 chassis - different story: The pivot bolts
tapped right out easily.
Good Luck.
bearing carrier assembly for rebuild. Also, removing the bearing
assembly first - can make cutting the front pivot bolt easier, due
to better access.
My 75 - was rusted solid, so I did not even try to push them
out. I didn't even cut them - ended up putting the frame in
a junk pile. My 70 chassis - different story: The pivot bolts
tapped right out easily.
Good Luck.
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
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,469
Likes: 6
From: 68 427 4.11s Roadster
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,662
Likes: 8
From: Knoxville Tennessee
The bolt seizes to the steel bushing inside the middle of the trailing arm. Cutting the bolt head off would not let the arm slide out of the frame since the bolt shaft would still be thru the frame and the trailing arm.
Bernie
Bernie
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,235
Likes: 0
From: Sick of these TOOLS & AZZHATS in DC
Originally Posted by BerniesVette
The bolt seizes to the steel bushing inside the middle of the trailing arm. Cutting the bolt head off would not let the arm slide out of the frame since the bolt shaft would still be thru the frame and the trailing arm.
Bernie
Bernie
Senior Member since 1492
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 87,928
Likes: 156
From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...
St. Jude Donor '09
Originally Posted by Jim71Vette
Can a cutoff wheel be used to cut the bolts, smaller tool better access ? Anyone try it ?