Frame paint question while changing body mounts
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Arthur Illinois
Frame paint question while changing body mounts
I have gotten everything disconnected on my car except the steering column and was just getting ready to lift the body one side at a time to replace the body mounts and had a quick question about painting the frame.
I figured while i had one side of the car slightly lifted I would do as much preventative maintenance as possible such as wirewheeling and putting paint on the framne while it was up. But to do this would mean keeping that side of the body lifted for multiple days. From all the searches i could think of I couldnt find out whether it was ok to leave one side lifted for multiple days on jacks with 2X4's on one side or if that would cause serious damage and the body mounts should just be changed and set back down.
Also, all the walkthroughs i could find said to disconnect the steering column at the rag joint and lift the column or just disconnect the steering box from the frame. Does anyone has a photo of where to disconnect it properly or have advice on which is the best way?
Sorry about the stupid questions. Probably something I shouldn't be attempting but it is a learning experience for me and I insist on doing it myself. Thanks for any help or advice.
I figured while i had one side of the car slightly lifted I would do as much preventative maintenance as possible such as wirewheeling and putting paint on the framne while it was up. But to do this would mean keeping that side of the body lifted for multiple days. From all the searches i could think of I couldnt find out whether it was ok to leave one side lifted for multiple days on jacks with 2X4's on one side or if that would cause serious damage and the body mounts should just be changed and set back down.
Also, all the walkthroughs i could find said to disconnect the steering column at the rag joint and lift the column or just disconnect the steering box from the frame. Does anyone has a photo of where to disconnect it properly or have advice on which is the best way?
Sorry about the stupid questions. Probably something I shouldn't be attempting but it is a learning experience for me and I insist on doing it myself. Thanks for any help or advice.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,359
Likes: 428
From: Seattle Area WA
IMHO, being that this is a '78 coupe, there shouldn't be any issues with the body being tilted for a few days. Just use common sense and support it from the rocker channels. We'd hate to hear about an accident and you getting hurt. Also be careful with the front end, there are some heavy parts up there and you don't want that weight cracking a fender bond. Use the radiator core support if you need to support the front area.
As far as removing the steering coupler, the "Search" function is your friend. Lots of different threads on this, here is just one example.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...eering+coupler
Good luck with the job.
As far as removing the steering coupler, the "Search" function is your friend. Lots of different threads on this, here is just one example.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...eering+coupler
Good luck with the job.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Arthur Illinois
Well dang...I did title searches on "rag joint" and "steering box" and did not once think about "steering coupler". That is exactly the type of thread I was looking for. Even includes links to pictures for people like me. Thank you very much Scott for the link.
I did go out and buy 6 extra jack stands for this project, I am already use 4 jack stands on the frame and one on the back end, and one on the radiator core support. I figured once I jacked the body up a few inches on one side I would use the spare six to support the body from front the back to give it at much support as I can. Glad to hear that a couple days lifted shouldn't hurt it.
Thank you once again for the help and sorry I forgot to mention in the original post that it was a 78.
I did go out and buy 6 extra jack stands for this project, I am already use 4 jack stands on the frame and one on the back end, and one on the radiator core support. I figured once I jacked the body up a few inches on one side I would use the spare six to support the body from front the back to give it at much support as I can. Glad to hear that a couple days lifted shouldn't hurt it.
Thank you once again for the help and sorry I forgot to mention in the original post that it was a 78.
