Question: rear strut rod replacement

[raybies]

I need to replace my rear strut rods in my 1980 which are original and the bushings are shot.
Heres the problem. I can't get the bolt/shock mount to break free from the spindle bracket. Any suggestions?
Thanks guys.

Ray

 

[wishuwerehere82]

Spray it real good with PBblaster and let it sit for a day, then do it again. Hit it with a torch and get it hot, and use an impact driver on it.
The combination of all 3 is hard to resist.

 

[raybies]

Hey Wish
Thats funny the combo of the 3 hard to resist, good one.
Yeah but really the only one I haven't used yet is the torch.
Thanks for the feedback

Ray

 

[ladams]

I actually just did this this spring. I broke the end off my shock mount while trying to get the nut off. I found what worked best for me, being just a simple home mechanic, was an angle grinder with a 1/16" cut-off disk right in between the spindle arms and the strut rods. Then the strut rod comes out and you can just knock the mount out at both ends pretty easily. Unfortunately you destroy the mount which was probably garbage anyway and you also destroy the rubber strut mount bushings. I replaced the mount with a new one and since I wasn't replacing my strut rods I used a split poly bushing and a vice to press it in right on the car. All the stuff was from ecklers I think.

 

[LVMYVT76]

You should use the special tool to remove this bolt, sold by most corvette supply houses. Personally I would take the complete control arms off and have the bearings, parking brakes, and rotors replaced as well as all bushings. I also would have the rear end gone through, and drive shaft u-joints replaced.