How hard is it to swap the center section rear end on c-6?I have average mechanical ability but am not a mechanic. Do i need a corvette service manual? Thanks ahead of time.

 

There is a post some where on here where someone did a clutch install and he seemed very mechincally inclined. He basically said it was a bitch and he would never do it again.

Enjoy!

edit: here is the thread: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1436505

 

I think popoagiebow means replacing the rear differential assembly? If that's the case then it's easy compared to changing the clutch. The engine, torque tube and trans can stay bolted together. Remove the rear sub-frame. Then lower the trans/diff assembly slightly and then you can unbolt the diff assembly off the back of the trans.

 

It is not that hard. I put my 4.10 gears in my car and I did not find it to be that difficult. There is quite a bit of stuff to remove however.

 

haha, got a few PM's from curious people about my free-time threatening experiences

Here is a basic rundown of what is involved in removing a diff:

You have to remove the entire rear suspension and that cradle that holds everything together. Then you have to remove the mufflers since they are in the way, so the diff can slide all the way back to come off of the input shaft.

With the right tools, a pair of good quality floor jacks, and two good jackstands, you can lower and raise the rear suspension no problem. The floor jacks are used to lower and raise the entire suspension cradle once it is unbolted. There aren't many bolts that hold the entire thing together.

4 nuts for the cradle (2 per side)
2 nuts for the alignment rods that connect to the spindles (1 per side)
disconnect brake line off of the caliper on driv side
remove 10mm screw on the little bracket that holds the brake line to the cradle.
disconnect the pass side brake line at the small inline coupler, located just inside the cradle on driv side.
make sure parking brake is off, disconnect two parking brake cables on the spindles, and two ABS electrical plugs on spindles.
open up all plastic wire loom clips, to release the wire bundles from the cradle.
remove ground wire on driv side frame (10mm)
4 bolts on diff support rubber bushings (2 per side)
4 bolts for the upper A-arms (2 per side)
4 screws for the upper shock mounts (2 per side)
The axles just pull out of the diff, I just tugged on the brake/hubs with the suspension unbolted and they popped out of the diff.
use the floor jacks under the cradle during disassembly, lower complete unit down and move it out of the way.
remove mufflers
unbolt diff unit from back of tranny
slide diff unit towards back of vehicle, off of the splined input shaft

re-assemble just the opposite

Tony

 

Tony, if you keep posting, I'm not going to have to buy a service manual, I'll just print your posts!!

Seriously, thanks for taking the time to type these up. That's what makes this forum great.