When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I wonder if it could be done by lowering the cradle, as I don't see how it would be possible without at least doing that. If that was sufficient, there would still be a bit of work to do, but obviously a lot less than removing the whole rear end.
Yea the middle tub does get in the way I have pulled my diff a few times and I had to remove the cradle. To bad the middle tub isn't bolted in like another said that would be sweet.
If you’re not super concerned about the overall value of your car, I assume you could just cut out that compartment to get to it. You could replace with a fabricated sheet metal box and close it back up. It isn’t all THAT difficult to drop the rear cradle. I just did it to replace the clutch. If you unbolt the torque tube from the trans you can just drop the cradle with the trans and diff to work on it. Much easier than a complete clutch job.
If it was a dedicated track only car, I wouldn’t be too concerned about keeping that tub area intact. For a street car that you plan to sell one day I would.
I did this a few months ago to my car, mine is a race car but it also has to be street legal. Most of the rear carpet is still in place the only carpet piece not in place at this time is the piece that covers the removable part eventually I will have velcro strips glued to the trunk and carpet to hold the removable carpet piece in place.
That is really cool! I can see the utility even for someone who doesn't race their C5, just for the sake of maintenance. So much room for activities...
I did this a few months ago to my car, mine is a race car but it also has to be street legal. Most of the rear carpet is still in place the only carpet piece not in place at this time is the piece that covers the removable part eventually I will have velcro strips glued to the trunk and carpet to hold the removable carpet piece in place.
I didn’t know about this video, what I saw was a picture of someone pulling their differential out of car with rear subframe still in C5.
This is much better!
So, with your tub removed, can you pull out the differential without dropping the subframe?
If yes could you pull out the transmission and torque tube also to replace clutch?
Another question is would it be easy to pull the drive train with crossmember in place, or much more complicated because the cross member is in place and in the way, I realize this might be something that cannot be answered if it has not been tried yet.
For the average C5 owner who may only do 1 clutch job for the life of ownership it’s probably a lot more work than just dropping the rear subframe and everything , but I just like the idea it’s possible to do the clutch job or diff swap in a much easier quicker way.
One more question for anyone who has replaced C5 clutch, do the rear upper control arms need to be unbolted to allow room to pop out the inner CV shafts from differential, or is that only done to remove the complete assembly of rear subframe/cradle?
If one had some skill with fiberglass, it wouldn’t be too difficult to build a plug for this. Set it up with reusable attachments and gap insulation for R&R…
I didn’t know about this video, what I saw was a picture of someone pulling their differential out of car with rear subframe still in C5.
This is much better!
"So, with your tub removed, can you pull out the differential without dropping the subframe?"
The quick answer yes, but you still have to remove the upper a arms to pull out the shafts. If you go that far you might as well just pull the rear subframe.
"If yes could you pull out the transmission and torque tube also to replace clutch?"
Yes, see above.
"Another question is would it be easy to pull the drive train with crossmember in place, or much more complicated because the cross member is in place and in the way, I realize this might be something that cannot be answered if it has not been tried yet."
It would be more complicated with the subframe in place and It's not that big of a deal to remove the subframe. I don't think I would even try it with out pulling the subframe first. I've lost count of the number of times I've pulled the drivetrain out of my car, if I remember correctly it's been 3 times this year alone.
"For the average C5 owner who may only do 1 clutch job for the life of ownership it’s probably a lot more work than just dropping the rear subframe and everything , but I just like the idea it’s possible to do the clutch job or diff swap in a much easier quicker way."
When it comes to changing any thing in the drivetrain on these cars there is no quick or easy way. It's a pain in the *** no matter what you do.
With the tub removed you don't have to angle the drive train any were near as much as you do with the tub in place.
"One more question for anyone who has replaced C5 clutch, do the rear upper control arms need to be unbolted to allow room to pop out the inner CV shafts from differential, or is that only done to remove the complete assembly of rear subframe/cradle?"
Sorry, some how my answers to 1999corvettels1 questions got mixed in with his quote, except the answer to his last question "See above".
The answer to his last question is above in the answer to his first question.
Very cool video. I have considered in the past removing thr bottom of the center section and fiberglasing in a panel to cover the hole at whatever depth. I have also considered making an access panel for fuel system access since I have the late version fuel system on my 03. But I have never combined those two concepts until now. Very cool.
To go a step further you could use orgavyl or similar thinly as a weather sealant. Or some other rubberized barrier. And then make it truly quick access with some 'Zeus' fittings.
Very cool video. I have considered in the past removing thr bottom of the center section and fiberglasing in a panel to cover the hole at whatever depth. I have also considered making an access panel for fuel system access since I have the late version fuel system on my 03. But I have never combined those two concepts until now. Very cool.
To go a step further you could use orgavyl or similar thinly as a weather sealant. Or some other rubberized barrier. And then make it truly quick access with some 'Zeus' fittings.
I used a peal and stick foam as a seal on the aluminum mounting pieces for the tub. With a cordless screwdriver it takes me about 2 minutes to pull out the tub.
if I remember correctly it's been 3 times this year alone
Yuck, I did mine earlier this year and was a 3 month process, even on a lift. But I'm sure it would go much quicker next time. I def plan to get a hydraulic transmission lift/jack. We had so much trouble getting the cradle lined up putting it back in.
With your cutout in place, how noticeably louder is the drone/road/wind noise? I know you said you track your car, so not worried about noises, but just curious.
With the carpet and padding in place It's the same as stock. With the carpet and no padding it is just slightly louder, with the carpet and padding both out yes it is noisier. The biggest problem is my tires are sticky race tires and every little pebble gets picked up and thrown around if they hit the tub with out carpeting you definitely hear it.
If weight is not an issue, slap some dynomat on the tire side of the inner wheel well. If you still run the wheel well cover you'll never see it. Quieted my daily right down.
Remove diff without dropping rear crossmember?
