I've got new rear shocks on their way to me but when I was under there I noticed I have a broken bolt between the diff and the cross member, I'm assuming this to be a bolt and not a stud so I should just be able to punch it out and fit a new bolt?

cross member???do you mean the spring?

|UPDATED|10/26/2015 8:48:46 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

4 bolts hold the diff to the crossmember from the TOP. You cannot see these bolts with the diff/crossmember in the car. The rear spring is held to the bottom of the diff by 4 long bolts.  If you're lucky, you'll be able to remove the broken one and replace it. Depends on WHY it broke, and how much rust is involved. Since this was a Texas car, rust might not be such an issue. Tightening those 4 bolts too tight can also break the diff housing.

The strut rods are bent for one of two reasons....either a lazy a-hole did the alignment, or some ham-fisted tow driver used the strut rods to anchor the car down.
It was(and still is,unfortunately) common for morons that don't know what they're doing to bend the strut rods to align the rear suspension, instead of moving the eccentric adjusters.
Lazy tow drivers will often hook their hooks onto the strut rods instead of using a strap over the diff, or a tire cradle strap. Once they cinch the winch down, the rods bend...

My suggestion/opinion is to replace both strut rods if they are bent....bent rods are not safe, imho.

 dam spelchek


|UPDATED|10/26/2015 9:46:49 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

Hopefully I can replace the broken bolt without having to drop the whole thing down, it's one of the rearmost 2, more time on my back under the beast!!

Had another look tonight and the bolt I thought was broken is fine it's the one next to it which is wrong, I'm guessing the thread in the diff stripped so a PO fitted a nut and bolt so not a problem.

The strut rod on the passenger side was only slightly bent and straightened quite easily with my hydraulic spreader but the drivers side is a lot worse, looks like the cars bottomed out on something that side as apart from the bent strut the end of the little cross member where the strut rod is attached is damaged also so will need to drop it all off as it's crushed where the camber bolt is attached

 The 7 leaf springs were for the Z07/Gymkhana suspensions.Of course, it could have been changed anywhere/anytime during it's tenure, so....
I'd be leery of bent strut rods, myself, even if they were straightened. One good high speed curve with a bump could bend them right back...

I am with Joel 100%

|UPDATED|11/2/2015 2:49:51 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

I hear your concerns guys but the strut I straightened was only about 1/2" out the other is a lot worse and will be replaced when I can find one, after all they put whole bent cars in jigs and straighten them with the makers blessing so a little bend in a solid steel bar that is in tension is of no concern at all,I'll fit new bushes as well as they are looking pretty flaky.