body mount replacement without lift
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 29
Likes: 1
body mount replacement without lift
greetings everyone,
Has anybody tried to replace the body mounts without totally lifting the whole body off the chassis? I have no place to lift it, this is why i am asking.
thansk
Jerry
Has anybody tried to replace the body mounts without totally lifting the whole body off the chassis? I have no place to lift it, this is why i am asking.
thansk
Jerry
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,520
Likes: 11
From: Hinckley OH
A lot of people do it one side at a time by raising the body 4-6 inches. You still need to disconnect a lot of the same things as you do for a body off, but you don't need to remove the body. You should be able to find threads about it by doing a search.
Here you go, I found a thread but I didn't look at it. It was suggested by someone else in another thread.
http://www.digitalcorvettes.com/foru...d.php?t=119140
Here you go, I found a thread but I didn't look at it. It was suggested by someone else in another thread.
http://www.digitalcorvettes.com/foru...d.php?t=119140
Last edited by my 76 ray; Mar 12, 2013 at 03:27 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 2,473
Likes: 10
From: New Paltz, New York USA
Jerry,
I replaced all the body mounts on my 81 a few years ago. I did one side at a time and did not have to disconnect anything except the battery. Just take your time and go slow with the jacks.
I replaced all the body mounts on my 81 a few years ago. I did one side at a time and did not have to disconnect anything except the battery. Just take your time and go slow with the jacks.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,720
Likes: 557
From: Seattle Washington
So did I on my 80'. When You do this you really want to have a good look at the Fuel Lines where they pass in between the Frame and body near the rear wheel. The body will have to be lifted to replace this, so now is the time to do both at the same time.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 24,160
Likes: 78
What I personally did was to unbolt 2 of 3 of those bolts on either side and then just loosen the third. After that, I was able to pivot the entire body on those 2 bolts from back to front with a jack on either side. That gave me just enough clearance to slip out the 4 middle mounts.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,720
Likes: 557
From: Seattle Washington
I don't see how that's possible. The front frame extensions essentially end up connecting the body to the frame via the bumper cover. And each of those extensions is held on with 3 big, beefy bolts. Trying to jack the body up with all those fasteners in place will tear chit up real quick.
What I personally did was to unbolt 2 of 3 of those bolts on either side and then just loosen the third. After that, I was able to pivot the entire body on those 2 bolts from back to front with a jack on either side. That gave me just enough clearance to slip out the 4 middle mounts.
What I personally did was to unbolt 2 of 3 of those bolts on either side and then just loosen the third. After that, I was able to pivot the entire body on those 2 bolts from back to front with a jack on either side. That gave me just enough clearance to slip out the 4 middle mounts.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 871
Likes: 73
From: Memphis Tennessee
Floor jack and lumber under door sill. Remove all the bolts on one side, and loosed the ones on the other so that only a few threads are holding the bolts in. You will have to remove the bumpers, and disconnect the body ground.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,192
Likes: 7
From: Wentzville MO
I just finished this upgrade a month ago. Start soaking the bolts with PB blaster. Make sure you loosed the rear bumper bolts as well. The biggest challenge will be getting body bolts 2&3 as they use cage nuts to the frame. I used 2x10 under the floor pans and the battery box.
You are only going to get the body up maybe 2-3 inches max but thats enough to get you fingers between the body and frame to remove and add the mounts. 
Have you purchased your replacement kit yet? I bought the kit less the bolts and shims. I just couldn't see paying and extra $100 for bolts and shims. Just go to a good hardware store and buy the bolts and extra washers for about $12-15.
You are only going to get the body up maybe 2-3 inches max but thats enough to get you fingers between the body and frame to remove and add the mounts. Have you purchased your replacement kit yet? I bought the kit less the bolts and shims. I just couldn't see paying and extra $100 for bolts and shims. Just go to a good hardware store and buy the bolts and extra washers for about $12-15.