Trailing arm pivot bolt removal, any tips?
Drifting
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,329
Likes: 12
Re: Trailing arm pivot bolt removal, any tips? (sermansvette)
good luck, they're seized in the bushing sleeve. I had the same problem. I ended up cutting them with a torch. Some say to use a sawsall. Once you get the trailing arm out of there, just press em out. They won't be reusable thats for sure.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,201
Likes: 0
From: Clifton Park NY
Re: Trailing arm pivot bolt removal, any tips? (Lohkay)
I used a sawzall to cut them. If you can somehow remove the shims, that makes it a lot easier. Otherwise you'll have to cut through the shims, which is a big pain. Huge PITA project, but now I think of it as a ritual of initiation, or something like that, to prove to the Corvette Gods that I deserved to own the coolest car ever made... :D
-Pedro
-Pedro
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,943
Likes: 44
From: Florham Park NJ Port Credit Ontario
Re: Trailing arm pivot bolt removal, any tips? (sermansvette)
When I was removing my T-Arms someone here on the forum gave me these words of advice.
"Fiberglass burns like rags soaked in gasoline"
Made my decision real easy. Go with the Sawzall.
"Fiberglass burns like rags soaked in gasoline"
Made my decision real easy. Go with the Sawzall.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 98
From: Ontario
Re: Trailing arm pivot bolt removal, any tips? (sermansvette)
I have the kit to do that job but I have procrastinated as my rear toe is just fine: no problem with abnormal tire wear. But with respect to Lohkay, I would not take a torch to that area. Paint and fiberglass will suffer unless the torch operator is very careful and skilled. Not a job for the "local" shop. Use a saw as recommended.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,201
Likes: 0
From: Clifton Park NY
Re: Trailing arm pivot bolt removal, any tips? (paul79)
I don't think that it's that easy ;) . But others will comment.
-Pedro
C6 the C5 of tomorrow
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,665
Likes: 2
From: Twin Cities Minnesota
Re: Trailing arm pivot bolt removal, any tips? (Pedro'74)
If you have slotted shims, thank GOD, then get them out! The first one is the hard one the reast are easier. Then a sawzall will probably work.
If you are unlucky enough to have the old single hole shims, buy lots of beer, then MAYBE a sawzall will work maybe not.
I ended up using a torch, but I'm a pertty good torch welder, not a job for the fain hearted ( but better than welding a rear end into a Vega next to the gas line tho :eek: )
I had a spray bottle in one hand keeping the fiberglass behind the frame wet, if it's wet it's cool...
The worst part about a torch is that the flame bounces back out of the pocket right into your face, Yea Ha!
There are pic on my web site under suspension
Oh BTW both of my bolts were rusted to the inner bushing. They were one piece even after I had cut them out...
[Modified by 427V8, 9:15 PM 10/17/2002]
If you are unlucky enough to have the old single hole shims, buy lots of beer, then MAYBE a sawzall will work maybe not.
I ended up using a torch, but I'm a pertty good torch welder, not a job for the fain hearted ( but better than welding a rear end into a Vega next to the gas line tho :eek: )
I had a spray bottle in one hand keeping the fiberglass behind the frame wet, if it's wet it's cool...
The worst part about a torch is that the flame bounces back out of the pocket right into your face, Yea Ha!
There are pic on my web site under suspension
Oh BTW both of my bolts were rusted to the inner bushing. They were one piece even after I had cut them out...
[Modified by 427V8, 9:15 PM 10/17/2002]
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,166
Likes: 0
From: Tulsa Ok
Re: Trailing arm pivot bolt removal, any tips? (427V8)
I guess I was lucky. I cut the head of the bolt off with a dreimel cutting wheel then used a drift and hammer to punch the bolt out. About ten minutes a side. Whenever I tell this story, I get the impression that others were not able to achieve these results. Still, I think its the best way to start. :cheers:
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,699
Likes: 1
From: Westampton NJ
Re: Trailing arm pivot bolt removal, any tips? (FeedVaal)
Listening to you all talk, I'm extremely thankful to the original owner ordering my car with the dealer installed undercoating. I pulled the cotter pins out and undid the nut. A few seconds with a small hammer and punch, and the bolt was knocked out. Both bolts took less than 5 minutes total to remove. :smash:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 6,134
Likes: 46
From: Raleigh North Carolina
Re: Trailing arm pivot bolt removal, any tips? (rainman69)
If the bolt is rusted solidly to the inner bushing sleeve... no amount of pounding will knock it out. Some are mildly rusted, and will tap out with a punch and some luck. Others simply cannot be pounded out... and the saw is required.
The degree of difficulty is determined by how much rust there is. Snow belt cars are more likely to be difficult due to the salt & corrosion. Also, when you are removing the bolt, lift up & twist the arm so that there is no tension on the bolt. The weight of the arm can make the bolt difficult to remove (& install).
The degree of difficulty is determined by how much rust there is. Snow belt cars are more likely to be difficult due to the salt & corrosion. Also, when you are removing the bolt, lift up & twist the arm so that there is no tension on the bolt. The weight of the arm can make the bolt difficult to remove (& install).
Pro
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 518
Likes: 0
From: trample the weak...hurdle the dead SC
Re: Trailing arm pivot bolt removal, any tips? (Tom454)
http://www.c3sharktank.com/tech2/rear1.html
click on this It may help at least down the road
click on this It may help at least down the road
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
From: New Hill NC
Re: Trailing arm pivot bolt removal, any tips? (sermansvette)
Mine was nightmare.... :smash:
Passenger side came out easy but the driver side took an impact chisel
and then a Sawsall .
Do yourself a favor and start with the sawsall and when you get them out,
celebrate with a nice drink... :cheers:
What ever method you use.. when you get done you are a better person for it... :yesnod: :yesnod:
Passenger side came out easy but the driver side took an impact chisel
and then a Sawsall .
Do yourself a favor and start with the sawsall and when you get them out,
celebrate with a nice drink... :cheers:
What ever method you use.. when you get done you are a better person for it... :yesnod: :yesnod:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,228
Likes: 6
From: lancaster ma
Re: Trailing arm pivot bolt removal, any tips? (Pedro'74)
This sounds like a common problem. How far do you have Disassemble the rear suspension to get at the bushings? Is a full disassembly or does the arm come free enough to work on with just the bolt cut?
[Modified by adamdinat, 10:56 PM 10/23/2002]
[Modified by adamdinat, 10:56 PM 10/23/2002]
Drifting
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,329
Likes: 12
Re: Trailing arm pivot bolt removal, any tips? (adamdinat)
Sorry for the lack of update... been a while I took them out. I tried the sawsall and the blade wasn't long enough so I went and tried with the torch....ended up going through the bushing and part of the arm. :/ So I used the torch directly through the bolt and pried the arm out... I must say, it was a hell of a job. :(
adam, if you wanna do this, first of all make sure you really need to. And if you do I'd recommend having the least ammount of stuff assembled.
adam, if you wanna do this, first of all make sure you really need to. And if you do I'd recommend having the least ammount of stuff assembled.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,336
Likes: 4
From: Springfield MA
Re: Trailing arm pivot bolt removal, any tips? (Lohkay)
Just started doing this last night. The bolts are seized so I bought a long sawzall blade (the regular one is too short)
Hopefully I can get them out tonight.
Hopefully I can get them out tonight.