81 rearend rubber bushing-replace....
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,873
Likes: 25
81 rearend rubber bushing-replace....
Fella's........boy it's been a year I bet, since I posted anything.
But here's a question I need help with.
I need to change that rubber bushing under the rearend on our 81.
Anyone have a youtube vid or just some advice getting it out and in?
Make this real easy.............
Bryan in calif. 72 degrees and sunny....
But here's a question I need help with.
I need to change that rubber bushing under the rearend on our 81.
Anyone have a youtube vid or just some advice getting it out and in?
Make this real easy.............
Bryan in calif. 72 degrees and sunny....
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 829
Likes: 131
From: Spartanburg SC
72 degrees! All I can say, is, 50 more mornings to April. So, I replaced my snubber when I put the diff in after a rebuild. I think you'll need to remove the drive shaft to give yourself enough room to get to it. It is tight. I hope someone else will chime in to confirm. Mine is a 72, there might be some differences in the 81. I don't know if you will have to remove the mounting bracket or not. It's not difficult, but it is awkward.
Last edited by mortgageguy; Feb 10, 2016 at 09:05 PM.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,873
Likes: 25
Thanks for the reply.
I was looking over youtube vids, and noticed the earlier models have a front bracket/mount pad that can be unbolted for easy access.
Such lucky people...
Not so on the bat wing cars.
I was looking over youtube vids, and noticed the earlier models have a front bracket/mount pad that can be unbolted for easy access.
Such lucky people...
Not so on the bat wing cars.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,853
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
The snubber cushion is not that hard to replace on your car. The issue you'll have is that all that is available is the 1979 and older style which will require you to slightly enlarge the mounting hold in the front.
http://repairs.willcoxcorvette.com/1...-instructions/
Willcox
http://repairs.willcoxcorvette.com/1...-instructions/
Willcox
Last edited by Willcox Corvette; Feb 10, 2016 at 11:12 PM.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,873
Likes: 25
Yes......thanks willcox.
However, I can't pry that thing down for nothing or nobody.
Bolts out, seems loose, but it requires something more to pull that thing down.
Cars on jack stands placed on the frame (under bird cage).
I thought rolling it up on ramps may take the load off, But nope.
So I removed the spring bolts from the trailing arms as well.
Nope.
Ok.....who you gonna call.......
However, I can't pry that thing down for nothing or nobody.
Bolts out, seems loose, but it requires something more to pull that thing down.
Cars on jack stands placed on the frame (under bird cage).
I thought rolling it up on ramps may take the load off, But nope.
So I removed the spring bolts from the trailing arms as well.
Nope.
Ok.....who you gonna call.......
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 799
Likes: 26
From: Lexington Park Maryland
Yes......thanks willcox.
However, I can't pry that thing down for nothing or nobody.
Bolts out, seems loose, but it requires something more to pull that thing down.
Cars on jack stands placed on the frame (under bird cage).
I thought rolling it up on ramps may take the load off, But nope.
So I removed the spring bolts from the trailing arms as well.
Nope.
Ok.....who you gonna call.......
However, I can't pry that thing down for nothing or nobody.
Bolts out, seems loose, but it requires something more to pull that thing down.
Cars on jack stands placed on the frame (under bird cage).
I thought rolling it up on ramps may take the load off, But nope.
So I removed the spring bolts from the trailing arms as well.
Nope.
Ok.....who you gonna call.......
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Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,873
Likes: 25
Ok........the cross member your talking about is what the bat wing
is bolted to, correct?
I removed the two bolts. Maybe I better slide them back in. and try again.
I noticed the bracket attaching the strut rods could be loosened, and
maybe that would let the rear rotate down. With the jack supporting.
Keep it coming guys.
is bolted to, correct?
I removed the two bolts. Maybe I better slide them back in. and try again.
I noticed the bracket attaching the strut rods could be loosened, and
maybe that would let the rear rotate down. With the jack supporting.
Keep it coming guys.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,652
Likes: 49
From: Bridgewater nj
There's a trailing arm bushing video on you tube that does a good job on how to break down each side. Dropping the batwing is pretty much self explainitory. Those bushing hold up pretty good and if they don't look bad, I would leave them alone. The trailing arm in the tough one if you have the high mileage , well used corvette. A sawzaw will be your friend. I'll be doing mine this winter on my 82.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 799
Likes: 26
From: Lexington Park Maryland
Ok........the cross member your talking about is what the bat wing
is bolted to, correct?
I removed the two bolts. Maybe I better slide them back in. and try again.
I noticed the bracket attaching the strut rods could be loosened, and
maybe that would let the rear rotate down. With the jack supporting.
Keep it coming guys.
is bolted to, correct?
I removed the two bolts. Maybe I better slide them back in. and try again.
I noticed the bracket attaching the strut rods could be loosened, and
maybe that would let the rear rotate down. With the jack supporting.
Keep it coming guys.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,873
Likes: 25
I have to knock off for today.
Put the bat wing bolts back in to hold things. (loose). Removed the end bolts for the leaf spring to take pressure off of the diff. Put the floor jack at the spring/diff mount. That makes the diff easier to pry downward.
Fighting a leaking down floor jack. Like I have 3 hands. (Lucky if I have all my fingers when I get done)....
Thanks willcox for the pic. Rest of you guys too.....
Put the bat wing bolts back in to hold things. (loose). Removed the end bolts for the leaf spring to take pressure off of the diff. Put the floor jack at the spring/diff mount. That makes the diff easier to pry downward.
Fighting a leaking down floor jack. Like I have 3 hands. (Lucky if I have all my fingers when I get done)....
Thanks willcox for the pic. Rest of you guys too.....
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,873
Likes: 25
Okay.......................Whew, Got it done. Not going there again. I took a look at the rubber type, and made a Teflon bushing to fit in it's place.
Now I'm bleeding the brakes. (And I'm bleeding as well).
Another problem arose as I'm removing the RH wheel. Nuts are off, wheel is loose, But I can't slide the stinking thing off the lugs. Just rocks. I'm thinking I'll put the wheel back on
Drive the car back and forth with the nuts loose and see if it make a diff.
Now I'm bleeding the brakes. (And I'm bleeding as well).
Another problem arose as I'm removing the RH wheel. Nuts are off, wheel is loose, But I can't slide the stinking thing off the lugs. Just rocks. I'm thinking I'll put the wheel back on
Drive the car back and forth with the nuts loose and see if it make a diff.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 374
Likes: 42
From: Coldwater Mi
Sounds like some corrosion between the wheel & the hub.
I always put a layer o' Anti-Seize on the hubs B4 putting the wheels back on.
Your plan o' attack sounds like the best approach....Good Luck!
I always put a layer o' Anti-Seize on the hubs B4 putting the wheels back on.
Your plan o' attack sounds like the best approach....Good Luck!
