Just spent Sunday underneath my 79 L-82, wiping and tighting. When I noticed that both the rear #4 body mounts are in bad shape and should be replaced. But experience has taught me to ask before I leap. Do you guys have any advice, tips or guidance? So I can avoid the minefields I usually walk into.

Thanks
Jim

 

I'm just starting the same project as you. I will tell you that if the rears look bad, then the rest are probably in need of replacement too. I started at the same point that you did. Since its easy to see those, they were the first ones I noticed, like you. After closer inspection of the others, I said, well, I need to do all of them & just get it done.

 

81C3
Well looks like we are not going to get a lot of help or advice on our projects. I will keep you posted as to my progess. Have you found a source where you can but single body mounts? I don't need a full set at $275 bucks a set, so I can resell them on eBay for half of what I payed

 

I believe the information you're seeking, is on the www.corvettefaq.com site. Do a search on "body mounts". I had replaced my body mounts years ago and I recall that is was a lot of work. Good luck!


en2burrell

 

Like many forum members I can replace parts. I'm worried about the
What ifs:
Like, what if the mounts are rusted and rotten? Then the old has to be dug out and new glassed in. How does that work? I hate to get half way in and find out that I'm in over my head. Not that I haven't done that many times before, I'm getting too old for that!

Rick

 

Jim... When you say they are in bad shape, what do you mean? Is the rubber part deteriorated and/or missing, or is the mount itself rusted away? Replacing the #4 lower mount on the frame is pretty easy and straightforward; replacing the part that is riveted to the body is another matter. Once these start to rust, they typically force themselves away from the body and rip the rivets out and can become a much more involved job.

However… as has been said, if the rear mount (#4) is bad, you really need to look at the #2 & #3 mounts to see how bad they are.

The #2 is behind the kick panel in the front foot well and the #3 is accessible through an inspection panel in the front of the rear wheel well. Since you're that close, just remove the 4 small bolts and pull the panel off. It has some sealer around it, so it can resist removal, but comes right off. Look inside with a good light and check the condition of the bolt and body channel. I was able to stick a screwdriver through to the frame and circle the bolt… needless to say the body had to come off. And that is what you might be facing if you find the #2 & #3 gone… that or just buttoning it up and unloading it as has been done more than a few times.

If the other mounts are in relatively good shape and you just need to replace the rubber body cushions, that's a much easier task. It might involve removing some rusty bolts, but shouldn't get too extensive.

Access the condition of all of your mounts and tell us what you find… oh and cross your fingers…

GUSTO

 

Curious how this one turns out, my 1, 2 and 3 mounts on both sides are in good shape, the lower rubber on both my #4 mounts look rough. I don't think they're about to break apart but could probably stand to be replaced.

 

I was going to do the same thing, just replace the body mounts. Then I found a number of frame issues from pictures and threads posts here, so now I am in the process of removing the body. All my body mounts plus the frame looks good, but the only problem was removing #4 bolts. On the passenger side the #4 bolt broke off (even though it looked in good shape) and the drivers side #4 bolt, I had to place a wrench on the nut because the rivited nut holder broke off.

If your frame looks good, I would remove and replace all 8 body mounts. You will get a good idea of the frames condition during the removal of all the mounts. Good luck!

 

Just got back into town. Thanks for all the help and suggestions. After reading your post I got worried and checked the front mounts. They look like they have been replace recently. Guess I got lucky. But #3 and 4 look bad and are soking in PB blaster. Will let you know how it turns out.

Thanks
Jim

 

I copied this from another thread:

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Go to search, advanced search and type 'body mounts' in the keyword field. Now type my username in the 'search by user' field. Check the little square next to 'search archive' and specify the forum in the drop down menu (C3 Corvettes 1968-82) and check 'search in child forums'.... you should find all the threads, I just did it and it worked fine.

here's a link to the thread with the file download:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/sho...rum_id=3&arch=1
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You'll find some of my threads from 2004 when I did mine - you can do this with the body on the frame, it's possible to lift the body 2" (one side at a time)...

Number 4 is the easiest: IF the welded on nut broke simply cut the bolt off, replace nut with standard hexagon nut

 

The nutcatcher for the #4 body mount will easily break loose. On my 68, it was riveted with aluminum rivets, so it will easily break loose if the bolt is rusted. Also, the nutchatcher itself is more fragile, it is made of thinner steel that the #2 and #3 nutcatchers which are welded to the frame.

 

I did a body off for my '77 for the reason that the body mounts were toasted. You can see how bad at my blog here starting back in January 05:

http://77vette.blogspot.com/

The problem is all the "while I'm at it's" that pop up when you go this route. You pull the body and see the rusted brake lines, well replace those ($300) and then you see the horrible looking suspension and u-joints, replace those......cha-ching! It's all good stuff to replace and the car is solid for the next 30 yrs but some things I just know I would have been better off NOT seeing and been perfectly ok.