Upper A-Arm Bolts
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 347
Likes: 1
From: Walpole MA
Upper A-Arm Bolts
Are the bolts that hold the upper a-arm to the frame pressed in? I have tried for two days to gets those bolts out, so that I can remove the a-arm without removing the radiator shroud, I'm replacing the bushings and ball joints. Tried soaking in PB Blaster, big wrench (air powered). Any ideas? :smash: :smash: :smash:
Thanks
Thanks
C6 the C5 of tomorrow
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,665
Likes: 2
From: Twin Cities Minnesota
Re: Upper A-Arm Bolts (74Coupe)
Do you mean the studs that are pressed into the shock tower?
Yes they are pressed in I'm sure...
Good luck getting them out without destroying them
Yes they are pressed in I'm sure...
Good luck getting them out without destroying them
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,063
Likes: 0
From: Monument Colorado
Re: Upper A-Arm Bolts (74Coupe)
The shoulder of the bolt is knurled to keep from turning in the hole. You should be able to knock them out from the engine side of the frame. I had to use a brass punch and a large hammer to get mine out. Replace with new when you're ready to assemble because if the knurling is not good, the bolts will spin when you try to tighten the nuts. Good luck!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,065
Likes: 1,395
From: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Re: Upper A-Arm Bolts (74Coupe)
I rebuild my A arms last Fall. I did not remove the shroud.
As well, I just used a big piece of brass stock and gave the bolt a hit with a big
hammer and it popped right out.
I used the old bolt and it popped right back in, and was tight.
I had marked the bolt so that it went in the exact place it was removed.
As well, I just used a big piece of brass stock and gave the bolt a hit with a big
hammer and it popped right out.
I used the old bolt and it popped right back in, and was tight.
I had marked the bolt so that it went in the exact place it was removed.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 9,662
Likes: 7
From: Semper ubi, sub ubi
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Re: Upper A-Arm Bolts (74Coupe)
Just knock them out and replace them with new, they are fairly cheap and I always try to go back with new when working on suspension stuff.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 405
Likes: 0
From: Fresno
Re: Upper A-Arm Bolts (Smokehouse69)
Just knock them out and replace them with new, they are fairly cheap and I always try to go back with new when working on suspension stuff.
I ended up removing the shroud and fan and installing an electric fan set up in its place, never again will I have this problem.-TK
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 10,866
Likes: 717
From: Beverly Hills/Pine Ridge Florida
Re: Upper A-Arm Bolts (TJKirby82CE)
As others have said, although there is a hex head seen under the tower, the shank is gnurled, so it WILL NOT turn with a wrench. Put the nuts back on the ends of the ones you can get to, and tap them back and out with a hammer. If the shroud is in the way, preventing you from swinging a hammer on one or two of them, use a 3 inch "C" clamp with a socket under the tower to catch the bolt. Tighten the clamp...push the bolt out. Just did this with my 69, and i didn't want to take the radiator/shroud/support out. Chuck
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 948
Likes: 0
From: Johnston Iowa
Re: Upper A-Arm Bolts (Chuck Gongloff)
I helped a guy with this same problem the other day.
We looked up inside the shock tower area and the previous had put a couple of spot welds on the backs of these bolts for some reason.
Have you looked at them from behind to make sure they are just pressed in.
Might be worth looking at.
We looked up inside the shock tower area and the previous had put a couple of spot welds on the backs of these bolts for some reason.
Have you looked at them from behind to make sure they are just pressed in.
Might be worth looking at.
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
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 9,662
Likes: 7
From: Semper ubi, sub ubi
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Re: Upper A-Arm Bolts (74Coupe)
It isn't the toughest thing in the world, but it is close. :D If you remove the fan, and hold your mouth just right it will come out. The problem is the passenger side A-Arm. I pulled mine a couple of weeks ago (for the third time since I've had the car) and it wasn't much easier this time than it was the first. I rotated the driverside of the shroud up and wiggled it past the lower radiator connection and the A-arm.
If you ever wondered why so many Corvette shrouds are cut in half, take yours out and you'll understand.
I'm not putting mine back in, I'm going to order a spal dual 11" setup from Tom DeWitt and get rid of the shroud, fan and fan clutch. At less than $350.00 for the whole setup it is too good a deal to pass up.
If you ever wondered why so many Corvette shrouds are cut in half, take yours out and you'll understand.
I'm not putting mine back in, I'm going to order a spal dual 11" setup from Tom DeWitt and get rid of the shroud, fan and fan clutch. At less than $350.00 for the whole setup it is too good a deal to pass up.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 10,866
Likes: 717
From: Beverly Hills/Pine Ridge Florida
Re: Upper A-Arm Bolts (Smokehouse69)
Taking the shroud out is often easier said than done. You usually have to remove the shroud/radiator/core support as a unit, as the shroud won't come out by itself. The problem areas are usually the fronts of both upper A frames. Also you normally have to remove the hood. Try the "C" clamp trick. Chuck
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 347
Likes: 1
From: Walpole MA
Re: Upper A-Arm Bolts (74Coupe)
Chuck, thanks for the C clamp idea, but after 2 hours trying I final had to give up, NOTHING was moving. :cry Went after the fan and radiator shroud. Shroud came out rear easy, seeing that it already was cracked in two on the passenger side. (looks like Bubba was here, fairly clean cut, looks like maybe a saw :confused:). Anyway upper A-arms are out.
Thanks for all the help and suggestions.
Thanks for all the help and suggestions.
