C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

getting the struts off - is there a trick

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 03-25-2018, 07:08 PM
  #1  
vince vette 2
Drifting
Thread Starter
 
vince vette 2's Avatar
 
Member Since: Dec 2017
Location: PA
Posts: 1,279
Received 223 Likes on 158 Posts
Default getting the struts off - is there a trick

Struts are detached from the strut bracket (which is a good thing as it is sitting in a box). The nut holding the strut to the spindle arm is off. The nuts on the top and bottom eyes of the shocks are loosened. Per the book I should be able to push the L shaped arm that holds the strut and bottom shock eye out. But they are rather immobile to say the least. Granted, they haven't been removed since they were put in in 1980. But before I get a bigger hammer (literally) I just wanted to be sure I wasn't missing something.
Old 03-25-2018, 07:30 PM
  #2  
calwldlife
Team Owner
 
calwldlife's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jan 2007
Location: Southern Cal Ca
Posts: 50,469
Received 762 Likes on 613 Posts
St. Jude Donor '22

Default

where the shock mounts?
tap it up and down and up to then center@ so it can come out.
Old 03-25-2018, 07:49 PM
  #3  
Big2Bird
Le Mans Master
 
Big2Bird's Avatar
 
Member Since: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,823
Received 1,014 Likes on 808 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by vince vette 2
Struts are detached from the strut bracket (which is a good thing as it is sitting in a box). The nut holding the strut to the spindle arm is off. The nuts on the top and bottom eyes of the shocks are loosened. Per the book I should be able to push the L shaped arm that holds the strut and bottom shock eye out. But they are rather immobile to say the least. Granted, they haven't been removed since they were put in in 1980. But before I get a bigger hammer (literally) I just wanted to be sure I wasn't missing something.
They make a "knock off tool" for that.
Old 03-25-2018, 08:37 PM
  #4  
mikep3
Burning Brakes
 
mikep3's Avatar
 
Member Since: Dec 2005
Location: Baldwinsville, NY
Posts: 992
Received 55 Likes on 37 Posts

Default

822

Knock off tool, power blaster and one beer, job done.
Old 03-25-2018, 08:41 PM
  #5  
vince vette 2
Drifting
Thread Starter
 
vince vette 2's Avatar
 
Member Since: Dec 2017
Location: PA
Posts: 1,279
Received 223 Likes on 158 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by mikep3
822

Knock off tool, power blaster and one beer, job done.
Got the power blaster (been spraying it for weeks), got the beer (been drinking it for years), the tool with have to be jerry rigged (however that's spelled).
Old 03-25-2018, 08:42 PM
  #6  
vince vette 2
Drifting
Thread Starter
 
vince vette 2's Avatar
 
Member Since: Dec 2017
Location: PA
Posts: 1,279
Received 223 Likes on 158 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by calwldlife
where the shock mounts?
tap it up and down and up to then center@ so it can come out.
tomorrow's attempt - I'll let you know.
Old 03-25-2018, 08:45 PM
  #7  
calwldlife
Team Owner
 
calwldlife's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jan 2007
Location: Southern Cal Ca
Posts: 50,469
Received 762 Likes on 613 Posts
St. Jude Donor '22

Default

there is a flat that gets turned against because of shocks.
so tap at shock mount area to twist the thing in the hole.
back and forth.
should loosen
The following users liked this post:
vince vette 2 (03-25-2018)
Old 03-25-2018, 09:25 PM
  #8  
vince vette 2
Drifting
Thread Starter
 
vince vette 2's Avatar
 
Member Since: Dec 2017
Location: PA
Posts: 1,279
Received 223 Likes on 158 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by calwldlife
there is a flat that gets turned against because of shocks.
so tap at shock mount area to twist the thing in the hole.
back and forth.
should loosen
I see what. That makes sense. Thanks
Old 03-25-2018, 09:41 PM
  #9  
'75
Le Mans Master
 
'75's Avatar
 
Member Since: Dec 2007
Location: McHenry Illinois
Posts: 6,416
Received 583 Likes on 504 Posts

Default

Some here have used a 3/8 pipe cap for a knock out tool. Just be careful to not break of one of the ears on the bearing support.
Old 03-25-2018, 11:51 PM
  #10  
Big2Bird
Le Mans Master
 
Big2Bird's Avatar
 
Member Since: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,823
Received 1,014 Likes on 808 Posts

Default

https://willcoxcorvette.com/corvette...out-tool-63-82

The funny thing is, I have a rear hub/axle tool for my Model T Ford.
It's identical. Some things never change.
Old 03-26-2018, 12:53 AM
  #11  
70Yellowbird
Burning Brakes
 
70Yellowbird's Avatar
 
Member Since: Feb 2008
Location: Oswego New York
Posts: 1,036
Received 18 Likes on 16 Posts

Default

Please take a look at this photo of a removed part ... and be careful what you twist. You will need to move it straight back w/o twisting until you clear the small spline.





Originally Posted by calwldlife
there is a flat that gets turned against because of shocks.
so tap at shock mount area to twist the thing in the hole.
back and forth.
should loosen
Old 03-26-2018, 07:02 AM
  #12  
calwldlife
Team Owner
 
calwldlife's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jan 2007
Location: Southern Cal Ca
Posts: 50,469
Received 762 Likes on 613 Posts
St. Jude Donor '22

Default

Old 03-26-2018, 07:21 AM
  #13  
vince vette 2
Drifting
Thread Starter
 
vince vette 2's Avatar
 
Member Since: Dec 2017
Location: PA
Posts: 1,279
Received 223 Likes on 158 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Big2Bird
https://willcoxcorvette.com/corvette...out-tool-63-82

The funny thing is, I have a rear hub/axle tool for my Model T Ford.
It's identical. Some things never change.
Gotta go with what works. In high school some of my friends were working at a plant making front axle assemblies for Ford. The king pins would fit right into the the 32 Roadster my father had given to my brother and me. I'd post pictures but they don't want to take.
Old 03-26-2018, 07:22 AM
  #14  
vince vette 2
Drifting
Thread Starter
 
vince vette 2's Avatar
 
Member Since: Dec 2017
Location: PA
Posts: 1,279
Received 223 Likes on 158 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by 70Yellowbird
Please take a look at this photo of a removed part ... and be careful what you twist. You will need to move it straight back w/o twisting until you clear the small spline.
very helpful. thanks,
Old 03-26-2018, 09:50 AM
  #15  
MelWff
Race Director
 
MelWff's Avatar
 
Member Since: May 2006
Posts: 16,217
Received 1,817 Likes on 1,606 Posts

Default

you never stated why you are trying to remove them, from other posts you mentioned changing shocks but those dont have to be removed to change the shocks
Old 03-26-2018, 12:00 PM
  #16  
vince vette 2
Drifting
Thread Starter
 
vince vette 2's Avatar
 
Member Since: Dec 2017
Location: PA
Posts: 1,279
Received 223 Likes on 158 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by MelWff
you never stated why you are trying to remove them, from other posts you mentioned changing shocks but those dont have to be removed to change the shocks
Strut bushings appear a little rough after 38 years and 90k miles


Old 03-26-2018, 12:02 PM
  #17  
MelWff
Race Director
 
MelWff's Avatar
 
Member Since: May 2006
Posts: 16,217
Received 1,817 Likes on 1,606 Posts

Default

wow!

Get notified of new replies

To getting the struts off - is there a trick

Old 03-26-2018, 12:06 PM
  #18  
vince vette 2
Drifting
Thread Starter
 
vince vette 2's Avatar
 
Member Since: Dec 2017
Location: PA
Posts: 1,279
Received 223 Likes on 158 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Big2Bird
https://willcoxcorvette.com/corvette...out-tool-63-82

The funny thing is, I have a rear hub/axle tool for my Model T Ford.
It's identical. Some things never change.
Back to the some things never change - same king pins in this '32 Ford roadster as what Ford was putting into some new vehicles well into the 70's if not 80's

As it has sat since before I got my '80 vette new

It's worth more like this than my vette will be worth at a reasonable level of rebuild

Last edited by vince vette 2; 03-26-2018 at 12:19 PM.
Old 03-26-2018, 12:18 PM
  #19  
vince vette 2
Drifting
Thread Starter
 
vince vette 2's Avatar
 
Member Since: Dec 2017
Location: PA
Posts: 1,279
Received 223 Likes on 158 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by MelWff
wow!
Something tells me it wasn't the differential causing all the noise I was hearing back there despite the fact that both clips on one of the clutch packs were broken and the gears had to chew them up along with a plastic tip someone (not me) left in there from a gear oil bottle.
Old 03-26-2018, 12:20 PM
  #20  
jim-81
Drifting
 
jim-81's Avatar
 
Member Since: Dec 2011
Location: Chardon Ohio
Posts: 1,737
Received 280 Likes on 195 Posts

Default

Heat, hammer, torch, air chisel, .. and beating the f*** out of it!


Quick Reply: getting the struts off - is there a trick



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:23 AM.