Problem removing spare and carrier
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Problem removing spare and carrier
Need help - trying to drop fuel tank and am having problems getting the spare carrier out. '68 vert parked for 17+ years - pulled the spare out (Surprise it was a Polyglas - original? - pix later) and have removed all the bolts that I can see (2 by lock and 2 in middle/front of carrier top IIRC). Now am trying to figure out how to remove the bottom part - it seemed to hinge on something up by the axle. I jacked her up and crawled under there far enough to see the V brace ends were each hanging off some sort of metal rod attached to the frame at the top via holes in the brace ends. The lower end of these rods were flattened like a big nail head but have two parallel flats about 13/16's apart. My '68 assembly manual shows them screwing into a nut welded to the top side of the frame. I tried to budge them w/a 13/16's open end wrench but no luck. Was also a very hard area to get leverage w/half shafts and exhaust in the way and junk falling in my face. Any helpful tips? And yes they got soaked in Marvel Mystery oil and PB Blaster.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,577
Likes: 2
From: Long Island New York
You are at it the right way, just keep soaking them with the PB blaster, they should come loose eventually, if not you might have to heat them up to get them to come out. Just be careful, the last thing that you want to have happen is to have the weld break on the nut inside the frame, then you'll have to cut them out.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 627
Likes: 1
From: Naperville IL
those 2 long rods the metal brace hang from are essentially just long bolts that thread right into the frame crossmember. You will need to get them out to take off the spare tire tub, but like you said they're hard to get at and usually freeze up pretty good. I managed to break one of mine free with either vice grips or an open end wrench on the nut that sits against the frame, but I had to cut the other one to get a socket on the end of it.
I ended up replacing them with some long bolts from the hardware store with fender washers for the metal brace to hang on. I tried finding the correct bolts, but the only vender that even listed one had it on backorder forever and its another part the average person will never see.
I ended up replacing them with some long bolts from the hardware store with fender washers for the metal brace to hang on. I tried finding the correct bolts, but the only vender that even listed one had it on backorder forever and its another part the average person will never see.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 4,135
Likes: 1
on my last frame they fell out! that was a rust problem area. my new frame has them coated with anti sieze,, but then again it hasnt gotten wet yeat! yes they just thread in i believe there is a nut welded above.---------------------------------------
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,330
Likes: 13
From: Europe , Luxembourg
Hi
I just derivetted the V-brace from the lower tray, took out the lower tray and could easily get to the bolts with some decent grip pliers to break them loose.
Makes painting the V-starp easy and rerivetting or rebolting to the lower tray is easy.
Good luck. Günther
I just derivetted the V-brace from the lower tray, took out the lower tray and could easily get to the bolts with some decent grip pliers to break them loose.
Makes painting the V-starp easy and rerivetting or rebolting to the lower tray is easy.
Good luck. Günther
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,086
Likes: 786
From: Lebanon Township New Jersey
You're going to have to remove the mufflers to get to the 4 bolts on the gas tank support. You did say you intend to remove the tank, right. I have the tank out of my 77 now and I ended up dropping the whole exhaust system.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Thanks for all the tips - this site makes working on my vehicle a fun project (well except for the stuff falling in my eyes / on my face... I know need some 
). I almost removed the mufflers and part of the exhaust today but didn't have my portable sawzall with me. After removing the rear tire - access was much improved. I did manage to get one of them started but got sidetracked on something else - will give the PB Blaster more time to work anyway. I also like the idea of removing the rivets holding the lower section of the carrier from the braces. Thanks again everyone!
). I almost removed the mufflers and part of the exhaust today but didn't have my portable sawzall with me. After removing the rear tire - access was much improved. I did manage to get one of them started but got sidetracked on something else - will give the PB Blaster more time to work anyway. I also like the idea of removing the rivets holding the lower section of the carrier from the braces. Thanks again everyone!
Drifting
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,425
Likes: 0
From: Seattle Wash.
those 2 long rods the metal brace hang from are essentially just long bolts that thread right into the frame crossmember. You will need to get them out to take off the spare tire tub, but like you said they're hard to get at and usually freeze up pretty good. I managed to break one of mine free with either vice grips or an open end wrench on the nut that sits against the frame, but I had to cut the other one to get a socket on the end of it.
I ended up replacing them with some long bolts from the hardware store with fender washers for the metal brace to hang on. I tried finding the correct bolts, but the only vender that even listed one had it on backorder forever and its another part the average person will never see.
I ended up replacing them with some long bolts from the hardware store with fender washers for the metal brace to hang on. I tried finding the correct bolts, but the only vender that even listed one had it on backorder forever and its another part the average person will never see.
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
