HELP! Rear end removal
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,293
Likes: 79
From: Jackson MI
HELP! Rear end removal
Ok I tried pulling my rear end this evening, but I hit one snafoo. The bolt that holds the leaf spring on there doesn't want to come loose. I took out that pin placed a wrench on one end and used my 16" torque wrench on the other. the thing wouldn't move!!! Does anybody have any suggestions? WD40 is the first thing on my list I'm letting it soak in over night, any other suggestions??? Should I just cut it off and get a new one? Help please.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 21,094
Likes: 282
From: Phila., PA burbs
Re: HELP! Rear end removal (mn_vette)
Did you use a jack to take some pressure off the spring. I don't think that would be enough to keep the nut from coming off, but it's something you'd want to do anyway so that the spring doesn't come shooting off. I'd keep soaking it like you have been and as a last resort you could cut it off as you mentioned...............a perfect time to get some longer bolts and lower the rear :cheers:
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,293
Likes: 79
From: Jackson MI
Re: HELP! Rear end removal (BBA)
Well...like TA said...nothing like longer bolts to lower the rear. Cut'em off! :)
How much longer should I get the bolts?
Is there anything else I should replace while I'm into everything?? Bushings or anything else?
[Modified by mn_vette, 4:46 AM 12/2/2003]
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,293
Likes: 79
From: Jackson MI
Re: HELP! Rear end removal (mn_vette)
Well...like TA said...nothing like longer bolts to lower the rear. Cut'em off! :)
Lower the rear end?? Does that help with weight transfer during launches? Or just a visual effect??
How much longer should I get the bolts?
Is there anything else I should replace while I'm into everything?? Bushings or anything else?
Lower the rear end?? Does that help with weight transfer during launches? Or just a visual effect??
How much longer should I get the bolts?
Is there anything else I should replace while I'm into everything?? Bushings or anything else?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,362
Likes: 30
From: Oak Harbor WA
Re: HELP! Rear end removal (mn_vette)
Well...like TA said...nothing like longer bolts to lower the rear. Cut'em off! :)
Lower the rear end?? Does that help with weight transfer during launches? Or just a visual effect??
How much longer should I get the bolts?
Is there anything else I should replace while I'm into everything?? Bushings or anything else?
[Modified by mn_vette, 4:46 AM 12/2/2003]
Lower the rear end?? Does that help with weight transfer during launches? Or just a visual effect??
How much longer should I get the bolts?
Is there anything else I should replace while I'm into everything?? Bushings or anything else?
[Modified by mn_vette, 4:46 AM 12/2/2003]
You could replace many of the bushing in there if you like. It is just up to you as to what the intent is for the car. If you like a quite soothing ride then don't do it. If you want little suspension give and great road holding abilities at the expense of some comfort then replace them all. A kit is offered for the whole car so you can do the rear while it is out and save the bushings for when you are doing the front. Cost is about $200 or so. Summit and Jegs both sell it real reasonable.
I would think that you would want the bolts long enough so that the half shafts are level with the ground during launch time. The drag crowd may no more about this aspect. Mr.Mojo would be a good source of this info as he has lots of experience at the track and two C4's as well.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 4,212
Likes: 10
From: Sun City West Az
Re: HELP! Rear end removal (mn_vette)
Just as a thought, if your not going to lower the rear, be sure to take a measurment or count the exposed threads on the bolt so you can put the car back to the original ride height. It beats guessing. :D
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,227
Likes: 50
From: Pomfret, CT
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Unmodified
Re: HELP! Rear end removal (ittlfly)
Just as a thought, if your not going to lower the rear, be sure to take a measurment or count the exposed threads on the bolt so you can put the car back to the original ride height. It beats guessing. :D
As far as getting them off. Get a breaker bar instead of the tourque wrench. Also, if it won't budge one way, try switching the wrenches. Try again. You should be able to get them. When we did my buddy's (Robertpel9) car it was a pain, but we got them. :smash: His is a 91 with 108,000 miles.
Goood luck,
-Rick
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 21,094
Likes: 282
From: Phila., PA burbs
Re: HELP! Rear end removal (mn_vette)
I lowered my rear awhile back and I don't think it did anything as far as drag strip times are concerned. I just did to make tha car look a bit more level. My rear used to be about 1.25 inches higher than the front, but after the lowering they are about even.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3,424
Likes: 1
From: Tucson Az
St. Jude Contributor
Re: HELP! Rear end removal (Vic'89)
Get a big breaker bar on there , then put a pipe on the breaker bar and loosen that nut.
I would never use a torque wrench to remove anything.
I would never use a torque wrench to remove anything.
[Modified by edsalinas, 1:18 PM 12/2/2003]
