I sure hope someone has good input on this, i'm really stuck. I have owned a 1970 LS5 for about 8 years now and began a body off restoration about a month ago. Everything has gone really good so far, I can't belive how well everything came apart after being together for 38 years. The problem I am having is removing the rear differential crossmember, this is the last piece left so I can send the frame out for refinishing. The bolts came out no problem, I have checked all of my manuals & books I have and none refer to using anytype of pullers or needing to do anything special to remove it. I also hate to apply heat due to the rubber bushings.

Thanks in advance for any input.

 

Welcome to the Corvette Forum.

The Service Manual states that once you remove the bolts in the isolation mounts, you simply lower the crossmember. Have you tried prying on it to see if the rubber is stuck to the frame?

 

That's the same thought I had. The old rubber can act like glue in many cases. It's been squished out to form a tight bond, so ya, ya just might need to use a little persuasion. I wouldn't use any heat, I really don't think that would help.

 

The rubber bushings will stick pretty well in the mounts due to the tight fit and also the rust. A long, large pry-bar will do the trick, heat won't hurt anything but will sure make a hell of a stink.

 

Pew,....[:'(]! Ya that burnin' rubber is really foul.
It drips too, causing one heck of a mess. []

 

Hey guys thanks for the responses. I had tried a pry bar and also some persuasion with a small sledge with no sucess from either. I have been spraying them with PB Blaster for the last two days hoping it will soak down inside. Hopefully i'll have some sucess tommorow. As for the heat, you guys are exactly right, it's not about ruining the bushing, its getting the darn smell out of my nose. (YUCK)[:-]
Hope everyone has a good weekend for grabbing gears & burning some rubber!!! ( Not the wayI probably will end up doing)

Thanx,
SMR70454