dropping the cradle
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,011
Likes: 9
From: Dublin GA
dropping the cradle
I CAN NOT get my steering rack back in!
I have actually got it to a point I can't even move it. (I consider myself a competent mechanic, but I'm not worth a darn at PUZZLES!!) SO:
Can I drop just one side of the cradle enough to give me a little room, or do I have to drop everything? If so, what is the proper procedure?
2. Do I have to have an alignment after I drop it?
Been working on cars (corvettes mostly) for 30 years, and this is the most frustrated I've been in a while
I have actually got it to a point I can't even move it. (I consider myself a competent mechanic, but I'm not worth a darn at PUZZLES!!) SO:Can I drop just one side of the cradle enough to give me a little room, or do I have to drop everything? If so, what is the proper procedure?
2. Do I have to have an alignment after I drop it?
Been working on cars (corvettes mostly) for 30 years, and this is the most frustrated I've been in a while
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,266
Likes: 8
From: Indian Rocks Beach FL
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
The cradle does have to be dropped some. You need to loosen but not remove the four mounting bolts. You can use a 2x4 to wedge it down on the passenger side. Then you should have clearance.
Last edited by Mark C5; Feb 2, 2009 at 07:54 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,011
Likes: 9
From: Dublin GA
I loosened the front passenger side bolt just a little (1/2" maybe), to try and pry it down fo rsome clearence, but didn't have enough "hands" to hold everything. I have my jack stands under the cradle holding up the car. Do I need to move them to the side of the car so the cradle will drop easier?
Will I have to have an alignment?
Thanks
Will I have to have an alignment?
Thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,266
Likes: 8
From: Indian Rocks Beach FL
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
I'd move the jack stands for sure. If you didn't alter the tie rod ends you probably don't need an alignment, but it couldn't hurt. Also, you need to loosen all the cradle bolts.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,465
Likes: 1,166
From: Dyer, IN
I loosened the front passenger side bolt just a little (1/2" maybe), to try and pry it down fo rsome clearence, but didn't have enough "hands" to hold everything. I have my jack stands under the cradle holding up the car. Do I need to move them to the side of the car so the cradle will drop easier?
Will I have to have an alignment?
Thanks
Will I have to have an alignment?
Thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,266
Likes: 8
From: Indian Rocks Beach FL
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,121
Likes: 3
From: Shreveport/Bossier Louisiana
St. Jude Donor '08
I agree, its not necessary to re-install the rack.
Take a break bro, and come back when you cool down.
I get frustrated sometimes and after I cool down a bit, it goes in nice and smooth
Take a break bro, and come back when you cool down.
I get frustrated sometimes and after I cool down a bit, it goes in nice and smooth
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,266
Likes: 8
From: Indian Rocks Beach FL
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
The reason for loosening the cradle (crossmember) bolts is to allow the cradle to drop. Notice I said loosen not remove. There is a vast departure between dropping the cradle and removing it.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,465
Likes: 1,166
From: Dyer, IN
Yeah, I know...and I didn't respond to you in the first place...I responded to the OP's original post about dropping the cradle. I try to be careful with terminology, because for whatever reason, some folks just refuse to use a service manual. To some guys on this forum, if you say "drop the cradle"...they will do just that.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,011
Likes: 9
From: Dublin GA
I pulled the rack out of the passenger side. I haven't removed the fans or radiator, but they haven't really been in the way.
The issue I'm having is the steering gear is getting tangled up in the ac hoses and the passenger side rack mounting ears. I absolutely can't get it past them. If I could get the rack to tilt a little more, maybe I can maneuver it over that mounting tab. That was the reason for wondering about dropping the cradle.
The reason this is stumping me, is that I help a wrench in Fla. do the H/C on the car about 2 1/2 years ago, and I help HIM remove and reinstall the rack, and we just didn' have this much trouble. Now it is just me, with my wife trying to help
It would be great to have someone help me out, but there are only a couple of guys in the entire town with modded Vettes, and they paid for their work to be done
All of my friends play golf, they don't work on cars
The issue I'm having is the steering gear is getting tangled up in the ac hoses and the passenger side rack mounting ears. I absolutely can't get it past them. If I could get the rack to tilt a little more, maybe I can maneuver it over that mounting tab. That was the reason for wondering about dropping the cradle.
The reason this is stumping me, is that I help a wrench in Fla. do the H/C on the car about 2 1/2 years ago, and I help HIM remove and reinstall the rack, and we just didn' have this much trouble. Now it is just me, with my wife trying to help
It would be great to have someone help me out, but there are only a couple of guys in the entire town with modded Vettes, and they paid for their work to be done
All of my friends play golf, they don't work on cars
Racer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 347
Likes: 0
From: Whiteville NC
from what i can remember without going out to the garage and looking at mine is...
come in from the top. and stick the right side of the rack out thru the passenger wheelwell with it rotated to where the steering column attachment is pointed forward and lower it down to where it's horizontal... now slide the rack over to where the steering column attachment is just past the crank pulley. You should be able to start rotating it at this point. It's gonna be a move a hair to the drivers side and rotate a hair, and repeat several times but it should drop right back in after a few times of this.
Too bad you're not local. Hope this helps.
come in from the top. and stick the right side of the rack out thru the passenger wheelwell with it rotated to where the steering column attachment is pointed forward and lower it down to where it's horizontal... now slide the rack over to where the steering column attachment is just past the crank pulley. You should be able to start rotating it at this point. It's gonna be a move a hair to the drivers side and rotate a hair, and repeat several times but it should drop right back in after a few times of this.
Too bad you're not local. Hope this helps.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,011
Likes: 9
From: Dublin GA
from what i can remember without going out to the garage and looking at mine is...
come in from the top. and stick the right side of the rack out thru the passenger wheelwell with it rotated to where the steering column attachment is pointed forward and lower it down to where it's horizontal... now slide the rack over to where the steering column attachment is just past the crank pulley. You should be able to start rotating it at this point. It's gonna be a move a hair to the drivers side and rotate a hair, and repeat several times but it should drop right back in after a few times of this.
Too bad you're not local. Hope this helps.
come in from the top. and stick the right side of the rack out thru the passenger wheelwell with it rotated to where the steering column attachment is pointed forward and lower it down to where it's horizontal... now slide the rack over to where the steering column attachment is just past the crank pulley. You should be able to start rotating it at this point. It's gonna be a move a hair to the drivers side and rotate a hair, and repeat several times but it should drop right back in after a few times of this.
Too bad you're not local. Hope this helps.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 347
Likes: 0
From: Whiteville NC
I had the radiator out of mine everytime.. i removed the mounting bracket for the traction control do-hicky and that gave me enough room to move the traction control box forward out of my way. I think i also had the PS reservoir removed also.
