Strut Bar Removal Help
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 6,134
Likes: 46
From: Raleigh North Carolina
The two ears that the shock support go through are part of the spindle support casting. The first one I worked on, I broke the ear off the spindle support by trying to use a puller on the "nut side". The ear snapped right off... I still have that broken support as a reminder. The shock suppport can be easy to remove, or extremely difficult to remove. If the suspension is rusty, the shock support "rust welds" to the spindle support. That is what happened in my case. It took an oxy/acytelene torch and a big hammer to get mine off... both sides were rust welded. They had not devised the thread saving tools at that time... about 1976. So I mangled the threads on the shock support. Ended up buying a new spindle support and two new shock supports. It was an expensive lesson.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
No I mean this part here:
PS: I already removed the shock. But I was planning on getting new Adjustable Strut Rods from VBandP tomorrow when I pick up my composite spring and replacement sway bar since mine is cracked.
http://www.vbandp.com/C2-C3-Corvette...rged-ends.html
PS: I already removed the shock. But I was planning on getting new Adjustable Strut Rods from VBandP tomorrow when I pick up my composite spring and replacement sway bar since mine is cracked.
http://www.vbandp.com/C2-C3-Corvette...rged-ends.html
Just cut it and buy new ones.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
The problem on many of these cars is that there is a metal sleeve in the torque rod bushing that rust-welds itself onto the shock mount. When this happens it is just about impossible to get the shock mount out without destroying it. It really is worth the $ that the new mounts cost to avoid the time and aggravation that it takes to try to get the old mounts off intact. Not to mention the possibility of breaking the bearing carrier and costing even more $.
If they are extremely stubborn just SawZall them off and replace them. Believe me, the people who talk about getting them off easily are in the minority.
Rick B.
If they are extremely stubborn just SawZall them off and replace them. Believe me, the people who talk about getting them off easily are in the minority.
Rick B.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 6,134
Likes: 46
From: Raleigh North Carolina
The problem on many of these cars is that there is a metal sleeve in the torque rod bushing that rust-welds itself onto the shock mount. When this happens it is just about impossible to get the shock mount out without destroying it. It really is worth the $ that the new mounts cost to avoid the time and aggravation that it takes to try to get the old mounts off intact. Not to mention the possibility of breaking the bearing carrier and costing even more $.
If they are extremely stubborn just SawZall them off and replace them. Believe me, the people who talk about getting them off easily are in the minority.
Rick B.
If they are extremely stubborn just SawZall them off and replace them. Believe me, the people who talk about getting them off easily are in the minority.
Rick B.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,264
Likes: 3
From: Vero Beach FL
The problem on many of these cars is that there is a metal sleeve in the torque rod bushing that rust-welds itself onto the shock mount. When this happens it is just about impossible to get the shock mount out without destroying it. It really is worth the $ that the new mounts cost to avoid the time and aggravation that it takes to try to get the old mounts off intact. Not to mention the possibility of breaking the bearing carrier and costing even more $.
If they are extremely stubborn just SawZall them off and replace them. Believe me, the people who talk about getting them off easily are in the minority.
Rick B.
If they are extremely stubborn just SawZall them off and replace them. Believe me, the people who talk about getting them off easily are in the minority.
Rick B.
I used a cut off wheel as per Rodger's instructions
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 351
Likes: 5
From: Clearwater FL
Do tell, I think I will have to use my cutoff wheel as these look fused. And I want to get everything back together this weekend as more parts arrive.
I already have new mounts to replace the one I'll be cutting.
I did read your comments over in: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...over-tool.html
I already have new mounts to replace the one I'll be cutting.
I did read your comments over in: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...over-tool.html
Last edited by MikeKey; May 24, 2012 at 11:31 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,264
Likes: 3
From: Vero Beach FL
Do tell, I think I will have to use my cutoff wheel as these look fused. And I want to get everything back together this weekend as more parts arrive.
I already have new mounts to replace the one I'll be cutting.
I did read your comments over in: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...over-tool.html
I already have new mounts to replace the one I'll be cutting.
I did read your comments over in: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...over-tool.html
I got to do a little digging to find it when I do I will post it.
Scott
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,264
Likes: 3
From: Vero Beach FL
Here is the link with Rodgers method. I did mine while still on the car.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...ock-mount.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...ock-mount.html
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 351
Likes: 5
From: Clearwater FL
Thanks so much Roco71, made my day a lot easier. Started cutting with success. This should work! More parts arrived. Can't wait to post some progress photos of the new improvements and work done. 
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 351
Likes: 5
From: Clearwater FL
As to one of my other threads, see how greasy the pumpkin is. Ugh.
Free on both sides. Waiting on my parts from Vette Brakes. Hoping mid week. Once I get the rear cleaned up, I'll be changing the rear fluid out.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 351
Likes: 5
From: Clearwater FL
I'm using a two spare jack stands to hold them up for now until I can reinstall everything. Going to clean it all and POR-15 some parts, along with the frame before the tank goes back in the car.
And a photo of the collection of the parts that I've got so far. Still waiting on a few more things. Got everything to put the tank back in this weekend, just want to finish cleaning and prepping the back side before putting her in.