Need Moral Support - Contemplating Rear Trailing Arms (gulp)
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,427
Likes: 1
From: Boxford Mass
Need Moral Support - Contemplating Rear Trailing Arms (gulp)
I need some morale support. :nopity
Pivot bolts are frozen on both sides. Should I...
1) Continue hammering. :smash:
2) Buy a Saws-All and 50 blades. :cry
3) Bring it to a shop :reddevil
Damn, it must take guts to use a reciprocating saw on a Corvette. Would a pnuematic saw work better or just burn up blades faster?
Pivot bolts are frozen on both sides. Should I...
1) Continue hammering. :smash:
2) Buy a Saws-All and 50 blades. :cry
3) Bring it to a shop :reddevil
Damn, it must take guts to use a reciprocating saw on a Corvette. Would a pnuematic saw work better or just burn up blades faster?
Racer
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 451
Likes: 2
From: Toronto On
Re: Need Moral Support - Contemplating Rear Trailing Arms (74jack)
I tried the sawzall (rented) and didn't make it before my time ran out.
I think I can get in there and shave off the bolt with a 6 inch cutoff wheel on my massive hand-held grinder - I just need someone to stand by with the water...
Then I should be able to push the bolts out with a bent punch or screwdriver.
That's the current plan, anyway... :nopity
I think I can get in there and shave off the bolt with a 6 inch cutoff wheel on my massive hand-held grinder - I just need someone to stand by with the water...
Then I should be able to push the bolts out with a bent punch or screwdriver.
That's the current plan, anyway... :nopity
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 5,877
Likes: 1
From: Park Ridge IL
Re: Need Moral Support - Contemplating Rear Trailing Arms (74jack)
A Sawzall and a few Bimetal blades will cut right through those bolts. Hopefully, you were able to get all of the shims out first. If you don't own a Sawsall, most "U Rent" type stores rent them.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,201
Likes: 0
From: Clifton Park NY
Re: Need Moral Support - Contemplating Rear Trailing Arms (Monty)
I had to rent a sawzall to remove mine. When you can remove the shims, cutting the bolt is very easy. When you can't, then it's an ugly job... Anyway, the sawzall will solve your problem.
Not a job I look forward to doing again...
-Pedro
[Modified by Pedro'74, 1:09 PM 10/11/2001]
Not a job I look forward to doing again...
-Pedro
[Modified by Pedro'74, 1:09 PM 10/11/2001]
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
Re: Need Moral Support - Contemplating Rear Trailing Arms (Pedro'74)
You guys are using the wrong type of blades. USE A BIMETAL BLADE. It has high speed cutting steel for the teeth and a steel back. Very hard teeth wit ha back that will not break. I work for American Saw. We make Lenox (No not the heater guy) saw blades. You should need 1 maybe 2 blades for the whole job. If you are using Carbon blades it will take you forever and you will use a ton of blades. I have cut through hardened steel bolts in about a minute with these type of blades. Use about a 10 or 14 tooth BIMETAL blade and you should have no touble with these bolts. I have done it a few times with this.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 5,877
Likes: 1
From: Park Ridge IL
Re: Need Moral Support - Contemplating Rear Trailing Arms (Gordonm)
Uh, Gordon, that's the exact blade I recommended about an hour ago.
74Jack, One thing I would recommend when you put it back together - think stainless steel. The kits that are sold by the warehouses do not use a stainless bolt. I ordered a set of ARP stainless steel bolts and nylocks and used those. Also, I'd recommend the use of some anti-seize. After finally get those trailing arms out, you'll never want to fight that battle again.
74Jack, One thing I would recommend when you put it back together - think stainless steel. The kits that are sold by the warehouses do not use a stainless bolt. I ordered a set of ARP stainless steel bolts and nylocks and used those. Also, I'd recommend the use of some anti-seize. After finally get those trailing arms out, you'll never want to fight that battle again.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 10,643
Likes: 8
From: Foxfield CO 1970 Convertible
Re: Need Moral Support - Contemplating Rear Trailing Arms (74jack)
Rent a sawzall. I used the bimetal blades mentioned, but it still took a goodly number of them. The scariest part is the first few minutes, then you get used to it. I had to saw the trailing arm off first, so that I would have room to reach in a get to the bolts. I wore eye protection because I snapped off several blades when I hit the frame with the tip of the blade. It took me about 4 - 6 hours for both sides. I had to cut each bolt two times, one for each side of the trailing arm since the bolts wouldn't slide out even though they were cut. I actually ended up cutting through the old spacers also, since they were in the way.
It's worth it though to get the new TAs in there with stainless bolts, ss shims, and even ss cotter pin. I won't have to do this ever again... :yesnod:
It's worth it though to get the new TAs in there with stainless bolts, ss shims, and even ss cotter pin. I won't have to do this ever again... :yesnod:
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
Re: Need Moral Support - Contemplating Rear Trailing Arms (Z-man)
That is roughly consistent with a local shop that gave an estimate of six hours+. Why would you need to cut the trailing arm? I understand that the problem with the old shims is that they were not slotted as seen below but that the pivot bolt went through them. Thus they cannot be removed before cutting??.
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,427
Likes: 1
From: Boxford Mass
Re: Need Moral Support - Contemplating Rear Trailing Arms (paul79)
Thanks for help... I think.
I will definitely use the bi-metal blades. I'll take a look tonight and see if I have the slotted shims. I doubt it though. If not, the job may have to wait for the winter. Cutting through the shims sounds like quite a job.
Once everything is out of car, sitting in a pile of metal shavings, how hard is it to get them back in after their rebuilt? I can barely get a wrench on the bolt now, it must be difficult pushing that bolt back on through the bushings & arm.
I will definitely use the bi-metal blades. I'll take a look tonight and see if I have the slotted shims. I doubt it though. If not, the job may have to wait for the winter. Cutting through the shims sounds like quite a job.
Once everything is out of car, sitting in a pile of metal shavings, how hard is it to get them back in after their rebuilt? I can barely get a wrench on the bolt now, it must be difficult pushing that bolt back on through the bushings & arm.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 3
From: Wildwood IL
Re: Need Moral Support - Contemplating Rear Trailing Arms (74jack)
Monty is right. Bi-metal should do the job if you use the proper technique. Don't lean on the sawzall.. let the blade cut. After you get the feel of it, you should be able to move the saw foreward and backward, holding the blade on the work for a while at different parts of the blade. (tip through to the bottom) This uses up all the teeth...not just the ones by the guard!! Hope this helps..... :D :cheers:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,065
Likes: 1,395
From: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Re: Need Moral Support - Contemplating Rear Trailing Arms (74jack)
Hi.... Alternate Method:
I'm in the process of doing my arms now. Both bolts are seized.
My shims are not slotted. I purchased two bi-metal blades for a sawzall
(Not high speed) and promptly wore the teeth off both and only
cut 1/4 of the bolt.
I took my drill and drilled a 1/8" hole in the shims/bolt. Then followed up
with a 1/4" drill, then with a 1/2".
At that point the bolt was mostly cut. One hit with a hammer and punch
finished it. (If my aim was better, the drill would have finished the job)
I now have a new "high speed" blade for the sawzall and will try it on the
other side. If this doesn't work, then back to the drill.
Note: Drill bits should be of good quality.
I'm in the process of doing my arms now. Both bolts are seized.
My shims are not slotted. I purchased two bi-metal blades for a sawzall
(Not high speed) and promptly wore the teeth off both and only
cut 1/4 of the bolt.
I took my drill and drilled a 1/8" hole in the shims/bolt. Then followed up
with a 1/4" drill, then with a 1/2".
At that point the bolt was mostly cut. One hit with a hammer and punch
finished it. (If my aim was better, the drill would have finished the job)
I now have a new "high speed" blade for the sawzall and will try it on the
other side. If this doesn't work, then back to the drill.
Note: Drill bits should be of good quality.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 1,037
Likes: 0
From: Highlands Ranch CO
Re: Need Moral Support - Contemplating Rear Trailing Arms (Barry's70LT1)
sawzalling the bolts out, sep. the men from the boys.
I say go for it. Lots of work, but will bond you to the car even more,,,, if that's possible.
I say go for it. Lots of work, but will bond you to the car even more,,,, if that's possible.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,280
Likes: 0
From: colorado springs CO
Re: Need Moral Support - Contemplating Rear Trailing Arms (74jack)
yo man i have the solution for you!!!
and u can do it ALL at home!!!
rent an oxy acetylene torch for 30 dollars/day....
and melt those suckers off like butter!!
thats what i did.
slipped the arms off... put in poly bushings which dont need to be pressed in.
very easy!!
:jester
when in doubt---BURN IT!!
:lol:
and u can do it ALL at home!!!
rent an oxy acetylene torch for 30 dollars/day....
and melt those suckers off like butter!!
thats what i did.
slipped the arms off... put in poly bushings which dont need to be pressed in.
very easy!!
:jester
when in doubt---BURN IT!!
:lol:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,280
Likes: 0
From: colorado springs CO
Re: Need Moral Support - Contemplating Rear Trailing Arms (daily_driver)
fire fire fireeeeeee fiiiiiiiiiiiiiiirrrreeeee :reddevil :reddevil :reddevil :mad :mad
firre fire fire :conehead :conehead :conehead
:jester
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,201
Likes: 0
From: Clifton Park NY
Re: Need Moral Support - Contemplating Rear Trailing Arms (jcanney)
The shims that were on my car were slotted, like those in Paul's pic, and I believe they were the stock shims. Now, non-slotted shims must make the alignment a real nightmare!
Jack: talking about alignment, when you remove the old shims, tape them and label them, so you can use the same amount of shims when you put everything back together. I did that, and the alignment was so close that the alignment shop guy did not have to do anything on one side, and only had to do some fine tuning on the other side.
-Pedro
[Modified by Pedro'74, 6:29 PM 10/11/2001]
Jack: talking about alignment, when you remove the old shims, tape them and label them, so you can use the same amount of shims when you put everything back together. I did that, and the alignment was so close that the alignment shop guy did not have to do anything on one side, and only had to do some fine tuning on the other side.
-Pedro
[Modified by Pedro'74, 6:29 PM 10/11/2001]
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,427
Likes: 1
From: Boxford Mass
Re: Need Moral Support - Contemplating Rear Trailing Arms (daily_driver)
Daily Driver,
You are an animal. If I used an oxy acetylene torch, I'd probably have a pool of fiberglass adhered to my garage floor. I admire your courage.
The drill technique is worth a try. Clever idea...
You are an animal. If I used an oxy acetylene torch, I'd probably have a pool of fiberglass adhered to my garage floor. I admire your courage.
The drill technique is worth a try. Clever idea...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,280
Likes: 0
From: colorado springs CO
Re: Need Moral Support - Contemplating Rear Trailing Arms (74jack)
hehehe
just have a fire extinguisher around....
keep the flame small and blue-white...
its very easy actually.
:)
just have a fire extinguisher around....
keep the flame small and blue-white...
its very easy actually.
:)
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,427
Likes: 1
From: Boxford Mass
Re: Need Moral Support - Contemplating Rear Trailing Arms (daily_driver)
DD,
I can't get to the bolt -- stock shims. I can't see burnin' through them as well. I used an oxy acyt torch to remove my rear shock mounts. It is a thrilling experience.
Pedro,
Thanks for the tip with remembering their existing setup. I'll do that.
I can't get to the bolt -- stock shims. I can't see burnin' through them as well. I used an oxy acyt torch to remove my rear shock mounts. It is a thrilling experience.
Pedro,
Thanks for the tip with remembering their existing setup. I'll do that.