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Topic: 77 strut rod disassembly

in Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling


77 strut rod disassembly

Posted: 3/6/07 5:29pm Message 1 of 24
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Toledo, OH - USA
Joined: 2/22/2007
Posts: 175
Vette(s): 1977 auto.L48 383 stroker
I am in need of instructions on how to disassemble and re-assemble the rear strut rods on my 77.  Can any of you give me some insight as to what I am in for and what special tools if any that I will need.  Is this a hard project?  Thanks to all for your help, I need it here!!!!!Smile


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77 strut rod disassembly

Posted: 3/6/07 7:37pm Message 2 of 24
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WEST SENECA, NY - USA
Joined: 12/3/2001
Posts: 2381
Vette(s): 1981 Blue Ice Met. w/pearl ghost flames TKO500 5speed. LS1 Swap 3.45 Dana 44.
I highly recommend that you go to AutoZone or Advanced Auto and purchase a Haynes manual #24040 Chevrolet Corvette 1968 thru 1982. It is a very good and detailed step by step manual.
 
As for the job itself you want to tackle. The hardest part will probably be removing the lower shock absorber mounting bolt. Mine were froze in solid. I wound up destroying the threads getting them out. So be prepared to buy a new set. They are about $40 each.




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77 strut rod disassembly

Posted: 3/6/07 8:48pm Message 3 of 24
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Moses Lake, WA - USA
Joined: 4/16/2005
Posts: 2134
Vette(s): 1976 L48 4-spd, Mahogany Metalic exterior, Buckskin interior 350ci/350hp, 3rd owner, fiberglass spring, 255/50-16's Torq-Thrust II
You can buy a drive that threads on to the shock mount. Then  you smack it with a hammer to drive it out of the strut. The steel sleeve in the strut bushing was rusted to the mount so I too had to cut the shock mount off and by new ones. I even used penetrating oil to try and loosen the sleeve but it didn't work.
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77 strut rod disassembly

Posted: 3/6/07 10:01pm Message 4 of 24
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HOWELL, NJ - USA
Joined: 5/18/2004
Posts: 6812
Vette(s): 1979, Targa Blue (72 Color), Pace Car rear spoiler, L88 hood, Dark blue factory interior, 525HP 406, HD 700R4, 370 gears,Steeroids, composite rear spring, TT IIs wrapped in T/A Radials.

Try ebay for the replacement shock mounts. I bought a near perfect used set for $25. I had to sawzall mine off - also frozen to the inner steel sleeve inside the bushing.

 
Have fun



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77 strut rod disassembly

Posted: 3/6/07 10:21pm Message 5 of 24
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20225
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Ahhhhh...it's good to live in da South...the no-rust belt!
I've been extremely lucky that I have never had any problems like this.
That being said, be sure to soak everything down with penetrant for several days before you start the removal. Getting the strut rods off will be the hardest part of the job. I'm assuming you are replacing the bushing in them, or just replacing the whole rod. Make sure you scribe a mark around the washers for the camber settings, so you can re-install the rods close to their original settings. Also, when you remove the rods from the diff. bracket, keep an eye out for the small spacer/washers on the inside of the bracket, that go between the bracket and the strut rod bushings. The washers are a special type, with small cups/shoulders on them, that go into the rod bushings at the bracket. If you loose them, or don't reinstall them, you'll never get the rear alignment set.


Joel Adams
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77 strut rod disassembly

Posted: 4/5/07 5:28pm Message 6 of 24
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Toledo, OH - USA
Joined: 2/22/2007
Posts: 175
Vette(s): 1977 auto.L48 383 stroker
I have removed the strut rods and shock mount bolts, thankfully they were not very rusted.  I bought a new correct strut rod mounting bracket that bolts to the bottom of the differential.  A previous owner made one themselves that was barely functional and only 2 of the 4 mounting bolts were used.  This brings me to the problem I now have.  These are not even bolts, they are metal studs that were threaded and threads were tapped into the bottom of the differential where the studs screw in.  What is the easiest way to remove these studs?  I'm not sure if the studs are welded into the differential or not.  I tried to turn the studs out but it wasn't happening.  I cannot believe people do these sort of things and unfortunately I have to fix it!Angry  Also, one other mounting hole on the bottom of the differential appears to have been re-threaded to a larger diameter for some stupid reason, only 1 of the holes is still original and the new correct mounting bolts I bought are useless at this time.  I am asking any and all of you guys to help me through this disaster as I greatly appreciate it!Smile



77 strut rod disassembly

Posted: 4/5/07 6:01pm Message 7 of 24
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Clarksville, TN - USA
Joined: 10/22/2005
Posts: 267
Vette(s): 1977 L48 T Top, Dark Blue
Sounds like you need a new diff cover ($100-$120)  If it's been drilled and tapped to except larger bolts I'd get rid of it, but that's me.   Of course this means dropping the diff.  For me getting the shock mounts off was the worst partAngry, I trashed mine with a 15 pound sledge!!  I was just happy to get them out.phew  After that, dropping the diff was easy.   Sounds like yours might not be rusted too bad.


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77 strut rod disassembly

Posted: 4/5/07 6:11pm Message 8 of 24
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BINGHAMTON, NY - USA
Joined: 7/19/2003
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Sounds like BUBBA has been busy again LOLLOLLOL


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77 strut rod disassembly

Posted: 4/5/07 7:35pm Message 9 of 24
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20225
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
It may sound like a big pain, but you can possibly salvage the diff cover.
You'll need to get the "studs" out first. Soak them with penetrant for as long as you can, days if needed. Get a pipe wrench, and try to work them out. If you wind up breaking them off in the cover, you can still drill them out, and use a thread insert to repair the holes back to the original size.
If, by chance, you break the cover, or really screw it up, you haven't lost anything but the time, really. It sounds un-usable(and unsafe) as it is now. IF it were me, I think I would just locate another cover, and be done with it. That way, it would be safe, at least.
My .02   


Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    

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77 strut rod disassembly

Posted: 4/9/07 8:14am Message 10 of 24
Former Member
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Toledo, OH - USA
Joined: 2/22/2007
Posts: 175
Vette(s): 1977 auto.L48 383 stroker
If I were to replace the cover, what kind of a job does this entail?  Do I simply unbolt the cover or does it mean dropping the whole differential etc.  Can you please explain to me how I would replace the cover.... thank you for all of your help, I appreciate it greatly!Smile


in Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling


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