Rear differential cross member..won't come loose!?

[Michael G.]

What's going here?? Am trying to remove my rear differential cross member from my '66 Corvette frame. The two securing bolts are out and have even put a hammer to the cross member....won't come loose! Acts as if something it still holding it to the frame. What's the secret....HELP! Thanks in advance. Mike #28614

[Wayne W.]

Re: Rear differential cross member..won't come loo

Leave the bolt in a couple of threads to catch it, and use a BIG pry bar.

[Joe L.]

Re: Rear differential cross member..won't come loo

Wayne and Mike------

Yup. Except I'd say you need a BIG, BIG, BIG pry bar and you may have to jump up and down on it. Wedge it between the removable crossmember and the fixed crossmember just to the rear so that downward pressure is exerted on the removable crossmember.

I use a pry bar that's about 4-1/2 feet long and very stout.

If the crossmember has never been out of the car since new, you can count on it being a struggle even with the above-referenced prybar

[Michael G.]

Re: Rear differential cross member..won't come loo

Wayne/Joe....

Both you guys were SO CORRECT. It took a big, big, big, really big pry bar...some spray oil (around bushing) and some good ole fashion muscle and POW, BANG, BOOM.....came loose! Still looking for it somewhere in the shop...LOL. I'm with you Joe, doesn't appear to have never been separated from the frame since new.

What's your thoughts on reusing the old bushings? Thanks, Mike

[Joe L.]

Re: Rear differential cross member..won't come loo

Mike-----

Personally, I've never had any problems re-using these bushings. However, I have heard of folks that have had the elastomer separate from the steel shell. If you note any significant corrosion in the area around the bushings, you might be wise to replace them. They're expensive, though, and they're not the easiest things to replace.