78 Corvette Diff crossmember bushings
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 176
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78 Corvette Diff crossmember bushings
Hey guys, car is up on the hoist, diff is on the floor with the cross member removed. I've ordered all new parts, but want to send everything out to get blasted and e-coat/Powder coated.
How the hell do I get these things out? They're in there almost too well.
I've searched on here and google and can't find an answer other than "Stick it in the press and send it" which did not work.
Also, while I've got this apart, is there anything I should do? Besides all bushings, bolts, spring etc. I've pulled it to replace the stub shafts and U-joints as mine are absolutely toast.
How the hell do I get these things out? They're in there almost too well.
I've searched on here and google and can't find an answer other than "Stick it in the press and send it" which did not work.
Also, while I've got this apart, is there anything I should do? Besides all bushings, bolts, spring etc. I've pulled it to replace the stub shafts and U-joints as mine are absolutely toast.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2008
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2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
The large crossmember bushings are definitely hard to remove. I have done it twice. First, you have to bend all the retainer tabs straight up so they are not preventing you from getting them out. There a number of them around the perimeter. Secondly.....I would soak them for a couple days in PB Blaster, Kroil or something similar. They have been installed a long time and corrosion is a strong glue. Then you either use a hydraulic press or a big heavy hammer, with an appropriately size socket, fixture or whatever to apply massive force to push them out. I don't think there is any other magic trick other than that. Putting the new ones in is equally challenging, and takes some large force. I used some lithium grease around the perimeter of the new bushings, and also did some minor blending of the steel casing where it appeared to have a too tight fit, but ultimately you have to beat them in or press them in. Then bend over the tabs.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 176
Likes: 44
The large crossmember bushings are definitely hard to remove. I have done it twice. First, you have to bend all the retainer tabs straight up so they are not preventing you from getting them out. There a number of them around the perimeter. Secondly.....I would soak them for a couple days in PB Blaster, Kroil or something similar. They have been installed a long time and corrosion is a strong glue. Then you either use a hydraulic press or a big heavy hammer, with an appropriately size socket, fixture or whatever to apply massive force to push them out. I don't think there is any other magic trick other than that. Putting the new ones in is equally challenging, and takes some large force. I used some lithium grease around the perimeter of the new bushings, and also did some minor blending of the steel casing where it appeared to have a too tight fit, but ultimately you have to beat them in or press them in. Then bend over the tabs.
I'll probably throw some heat on the bracket itself and hopefully that will motivate these bastards out. Corvette Depot takes a week or so to process pickup orders, so I've got some time before my parts show up.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 176
Likes: 44
This is for those searching on Google.. I know you're out there.
Kroil for a few hours, set it in the press, I placed a socket in the cup that mounts to the frame.
While applying pressure, start heating up the steel around the bushing while adding pressure, once it's bottomed out on the press use a ball peen hammer to smash the rest out. I needed a cold chisel to remove the little bit of steel left over from the old bushing.
If you remove your differential at any point, and they're the original bushings... Change them. Mine looked fine, but were falling apart as I removed them.
Kroil for a few hours, set it in the press, I placed a socket in the cup that mounts to the frame.
While applying pressure, start heating up the steel around the bushing while adding pressure, once it's bottomed out on the press use a ball peen hammer to smash the rest out. I needed a cold chisel to remove the little bit of steel left over from the old bushing.
If you remove your differential at any point, and they're the original bushings... Change them. Mine looked fine, but were falling apart as I removed them.
