Rear end removal
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,532
Likes: 14
From: Dallas-Fort Worth TX
I dont plant to take the main drive shaft out. Are you saying its easier to keep the drive shaft bolted to rearend and unbolt it from the trans and pull it out with the rearend?
Or are you saying its tuff to get to the 4 bolts to disconnect the drive shaft from the differential?
Or are you saying its tuff to get to the 4 bolts to disconnect the drive shaft from the differential?
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
I unbolted the driveshaft at the transmission, easier to reach the bolts on the u-joints there. It was easy to pull out the differential together with the driveshaft and then unbolt the driveshaft from the differential when it is out. If you go this way be careful pulling the driveshaft towards the back. On my car the u-joints on the transmission side sticked on the flange there, so I pulled the shaft out of the transmission which I realized in time however. Easy to break them lose however. The side driveshafts I only unbolted it on the differential side. I also removed the spare tire holder, rear spring and exhaust.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,532
Likes: 14
From: Dallas-Fort Worth TX
OK. So that is one way of doing it I see. Yep, my half shafts, strut rods, and all have a nice coating on surface rust. I plan to yank them and get them a good sanding and put some rust proof paint/primer on them. If I am going that far, figured I could do some housekeeping. Also read alot about the ujoints and having them packed/lubed etc. I plan to buy new u joints, so hopefully the new ones will come ready to install. I want to try and take care of everything back there, so there is no more room for problems.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,000
Likes: 1
From: Minneapolis, Mn USA
Get a Craftsmen 12point 1/4 inch deep socket and use a long extension on the driveshaft U-joint strap bolts.
Then go to your local Corvette shop and buy some Spicer replacement service bolts for these and the halfshaft U-joint strap locations. They will be 6 point hex head and much more durable than the originals. If you talk to an old time salty Vette mechanic, he will tell you these bolts are a 1 time use only.
I just redid my rear end 100% new and its all fresh in my head.
Then go to your local Corvette shop and buy some Spicer replacement service bolts for these and the halfshaft U-joint strap locations. They will be 6 point hex head and much more durable than the originals. If you talk to an old time salty Vette mechanic, he will tell you these bolts are a 1 time use only.
I just redid my rear end 100% new and its all fresh in my head.
Last edited by MN-Brent; Jul 16, 2009 at 07:55 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,532
Likes: 14
From: Dallas-Fort Worth TX
WOW, that is clean rear end... Looks good. What year is this? I have the composite rear spring on mine, pretty sure its stock. I also ordered some longer spring bolts to lower the rear end a tad. Its a little high for my taste and higher than the front. Looks like you may have longer bolts also, I do not see cotter pins on the ends of those.
Did you get all new pieces/parts or did you repaint? If so, what type of paint did you use?
I plan to start this wkdn if it does not rain. I will post my progress here and questions, Im sure I will have. Thanks for the tip on the bolts. Not sure if I have a vette store close by as you say. If you think I can get those from the local part store or order them, that would be good. I plan on buying my ujoints from the local part store as well.
Thanks,
R
Did you get all new pieces/parts or did you repaint? If so, what type of paint did you use?
I plan to start this wkdn if it does not rain. I will post my progress here and questions, Im sure I will have. Thanks for the tip on the bolts. Not sure if I have a vette store close by as you say. If you think I can get those from the local part store or order them, that would be good. I plan on buying my ujoints from the local part store as well.
Thanks,
R
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,000
Likes: 1
From: Minneapolis, Mn USA
Here is the finished product below on my 82. I installed a 3.07 rear along with everything else being new or rebuilt. I spent 4 months on this project along with a new 700R4 trans install last winter.
I ended up getting 10 inch lowering bolts from VBP for the C4 and cutting them down to 9 inch as the new rear spring has more arch in it.
I ended up getting 10 inch lowering bolts from VBP for the C4 and cutting them down to 9 inch as the new rear spring has more arch in it.
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Drifting
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,532
Likes: 14
From: Dallas-Fort Worth TX
Very Nice. Yep, my parts will have to settle for a new paint job. I am having 3.55 installed.
Im sort of worried about marking the camber position before I take this apart. I plan to get it 4 wheel alignment once I am done. Will this fix any thing I may screw up when I piece it back together?
Yes, the trans is next. Going to have it all redone, and then the engine is last. I have another engine I am going to have built and replace the existing CFI.
Do you recommend placing the entire car on jack stands, or just the rear??
Also looks like you do not have the spare tire assembly installed. Did you keep it off?
If you do not mind, I would like to see some pics of your exhaust and how you have it running under the car. Im guessing you got headers and true duals.
Sorry for all the ?'s.
Thx,
R
Im sort of worried about marking the camber position before I take this apart. I plan to get it 4 wheel alignment once I am done. Will this fix any thing I may screw up when I piece it back together?
Yes, the trans is next. Going to have it all redone, and then the engine is last. I have another engine I am going to have built and replace the existing CFI.
Do you recommend placing the entire car on jack stands, or just the rear??
Also looks like you do not have the spare tire assembly installed. Did you keep it off?
If you do not mind, I would like to see some pics of your exhaust and how you have it running under the car. Im guessing you got headers and true duals.
Sorry for all the ?'s.
Thx,
R
