Trailing arm REMOVAL PITA ?????????????????????????
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Racer
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 412
Likes: 0
From: Monroe North Carolina
Trailing arm REMOVAL PITA ?????????????????????????
How in the world do you guy/girls get the thing out? I cant get the rusted bolt out. I have the nut off but the bolt wont come out.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,640
Likes: 287
From: Ann Arbor Michigan
Re: Trailing arm REMOVAL PITA ????????????????????????? (Corvettelvr73)
Use a Sawsal and cut the bolt on each side of the trailing arm. It works well, just take your time, it's the best/only way to get a rusted bolt out.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,041
Likes: 0
From: Wichita, KS
Re: Trailing arm REMOVAL PITA ????????????????????????? (Corvettelvr73)
Soak it in Liquid Wrench for about 3 days, shooting it every time that you go in the garage. Then raise the trailing arm and set it on a jack stand to keep pressure off the bolt and hammer the doo doo out of the bolt.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,228
Likes: 6
From: lancaster ma
Re: Trailing arm REMOVAL PITA ????????????????????????? (Corvettelvr73)
Saws All. Pry out the shims first. Then you can see are cutting only the bolt. Use those rescue blades from the home depot.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 16,978
Likes: 7
From: In Dreams There Is Truth Ohio
Re: Trailing arm REMOVAL PITA ????????????????????????? (Duke94)
Use a Sawsal and cut the bolt on each side of the trailing arm. It works well, just take your time, it's the best/only way to get a rusted bolt out.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,943
Likes: 44
From: Florham Park NJ Port Credit Ontario
Re: Trailing arm REMOVAL PITA ????????????????????????? (adamdinat)
Saws All. Pry out the shims first. Then you can see are cutting only the bolt. Use those rescue blades from the home depot.
My shims were rusted into one complete hunk of metal. I had to cut through shims and bolt!
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 892
Likes: 0
From: GA
Re: Trailing arm REMOVAL PITA ????????????????????????? (Stewart's74)
Is the body off? If not... I would use the liquid wrench method... it does work. Also, as stated... support that arm. The bolt has a couple things working against coming out.... Rust (liquid wrench it) , Weight from T/A (support T/A) and the fact that you really can't get in there to slam it with a hammer (SLEDGE.. hee hee) What ever you do... be careful. Working in tight spots with a pry bar and hammer could be dangerous... TRUST ME >>>> I KNOW!!!!! Good luck. :leaving:
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 144
Likes: 14
From: Central FL
Re: Trailing arm REMOVAL PITA ????????????????????????? (Corvettelvr73)
I had to use a sawzall. The bolt will rust solid with the metal sleeve inside the bushing and make it impossible to slide out. Use long metal cutting blades. Take your time and be patient. Use a little oil on the blades to help them last longer. You may go through a couple of blades. When you put the new bolt back in, use an anti sieze compound so it will not rust again. :chevy
Race Director
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 10,643
Likes: 8
From: Foxfield CO 1970 Convertible
Re: Trailing arm REMOVAL PITA ????????????????????????? (Corvettelvr73)
I used a Sawsall and just cut through the shims and everything. It took 14 blades (I could only use the first two inches of each blade due to clearance). Each cut took approximately 45 minutes - not including beer time.
If you are replacing the arms, your first cut should be to cut those off just to get access.
Good luck -
If you are replacing the arms, your first cut should be to cut those off just to get access.
Good luck -
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,424
Likes: 0
From: Lakeland FL
Re: Trailing arm REMOVAL PITA ????????????????????????? (Corvettelvr73)
After reading the other posts I feel lucky. I just supported the arm and beat the bolt out with a hammer and screwdriver. That's with the body off though.
