Remove/Replace C2 Halfshafts

[John C.]

I can't find any info anywhere on removing & reinstalling C2 Half shafts? I just got mine back in after a huge struggle! I pried and my neighbor pulled and after many-many tries we got the outer flange past the trailing arm spindle nut. Soon I want to drop the rear differential and wonder if there is an easier way to remove/install half shafts ... gotta be?
Thanks for any help! John

[Joe L.]

Re: Remove/Replace C2 Halfshafts

I can't find any info anywhere on removing & reinstalling C2 Half shafts? I just got mine back in after a huge struggle! I pried and my neighbor pulled and after many-many tries we got the outer flange past the trailing arm spindle nut. Soon I want to drop the rear differential and wonder if there is an easier way to remove/install half shafts ... gotta be?
Thanks for any help! John

John------


Before doing the installation did you disconnect the spring and strut rods from the trailing arm assembly? You need to do this before installing or removing the half shafts.

[Ed S.]

Re: Remove/Replace C2 Halfshafts

In addition to Joe's recommendations it helps to loosen the nut that secures the front end of the trailing are a bit too. Don't need to remove it, just loosen it so the T-arm is free to swing outward an inch or two.

[Duke W.]

Re: Remove/Replace C2 Halfshafts

The R & I procedure is in the 1963 Corvette Shop Manual and CSMs beginning in 1966. Don't work on your car without the appropriate GM service publications.

I don't recall disconnecting the spring when I had to remove one for a new inboard u-joint, but that was a LONG time ago. IIRC you loosen the camber bolt nut and rotate the cam to move the strut rod outboard as far as possible. Then remove the outboard flange bolts, inboard u-joint nuts and you can work it out.

Duke

[John C.]

Re: Remove/Replace C2 Halfshafts

I did disconnect the spring ends, as that is changing also but not the strut rods!

[Joe L.]

Re: Remove/Replace C2 Halfshafts

I did disconnect the spring ends, as that is changing also but not the strut rods!

John------


Of the spring and strut rods, disconnecting the strut rods is the most important. I don't think it's even possible to install/remove the half shafts without doing it.

[Gary R.]

Re: Remove/Replace C2 Halfshafts

I don't recall disconnecting the spring when I had to remove one for a new inboard u-joint, but that was a LONG time ago. IIRC you loosen the camber bolt nut and rotate the cam to move the strut rod outboard as far as possible. Then remove the outboard flange bolts, inboard u-joint nuts and you can work it out.

Duke

That is how I do them. Mark the camber point and move them outward and usually they will come out. Removing the diff drop it with the cross member attached using a small trans jack or other support.

[Larry M.]

Re: Remove/Replace C2 Halfshafts

Whether you disconnect the rear spring or not, you need to jack up the trailing arm to approx "normal ride level" for things to fit properly. I am almost certain this task is also covered in the Chevrolet Service Manual. Believe SWCDuke said the same thing earlier.

Larry

[Duke W.]

Re: Remove/Replace C2 Halfshafts

One really good way to turn what might be a relatively easy job into a nightmare is to not follow the requisite service/overhaul procedures in the service manuals. It's ALL there.

Duke

[John C.]

Re: Remove/Replace C2 Halfshafts

Thanks for the help on this! I guess that I got a little crossed up by following the ST-130-67 Chassis manual! It showed 3 steps: disconnect inboard yolk, remove bolts securing shaft flange to spindle, pry halfshaft out!
Additionally, I wondered if the exhaust pipes normally have to be dropped at rear to remove spring. My 67 has reprp exhaust and won't let the exhaust slip out unless dropped?
Thanks, John

[Jim L.]

Re: Remove/Replace C2 Halfshafts

Thanks for the help on this! I guess that I got a little crossed up by following the ST-130-67 Chassis manual! It showed 3 steps: disconnect inboard yolk, remove bolts securing shaft flange to spindle, pry halfshaft out!

Thanks, John

I've been following this thread with interest because 40-ish years ago I replaced the U-joints in the half-shafts of my '63. I don't remember it being any more difficult to R&R the shafts than what that chassis manual describes. I didn't disconnect the spring. I didn't do anything to the strut rods. It was a simple job. So, I'm puzzled by not only the difficulty you encountered but also by the other suggested steps that I didn't take.

Admittedly I was 40 years younger and when you are young you can get away with things. If I tried to do the same job now, I'd probably have to start by pulling the engine....

Jim

[John C.]

Re: Remove/Replace C2 Halfshafts

What I did follow was section 4 page 4-34 of the ST130-67 (Chassis service manual)! This only noted 3 steps for disassembly and none of those posted here. I'm just an ole guy one man show here working in my garage. If there is a better printed source of information I sure would be interested in it, as the ST130 is quite vague on this topic.
John

[Edward D.]

Re: Remove/Replace C2 Halfshafts

Thanks for the help on this! I guess that I got a little crossed up by following the ST-130-67 Chassis manual! It showed 3 steps: disconnect inboard yolk, remove bolts securing shaft flange to spindle, pry halfshaft out!
Additionally, I wondered if the exhaust pipes normally have to be dropped at rear to remove spring. My 67 has reprp exhaust and won't let the exhaust slip out unless dropped?
Thanks, John

John,
You have to remove the exhaust pipes to remove a standard 9 leaf spring for sure. The 7 leaf HD spring has a lot less arch when unloaded and can usually be removed with the exhaust in place. Also, in my experience Duke is correct in that half shafts can be removed by loosening the strut rod cam bolts and rotating outboard pushing the trailing arm out.

[Jim D.]

Re: Remove/Replace C2 Halfshafts

Also, in my experience Duke is correct in that half shafts can be removed by loosening the strut rod cam bolts and rotating outboard pushing the trailing arm out.

I've been doing it that way for 45 years and never had a problem.

[Joe L.]

Re: Remove/Replace C2 Halfshafts

That is how I do them. Mark the camber point and move them outward and usually they will come out. Removing the diff drop it with the cross member attached using a small trans jack or other support.

Gary------


Yes, it can be done as you suggest. However, when I've tried to do it this way I still kind of struggled getting the half shaft flange to clear the spindle nut. Plus, the strut rods get in the way of removing the half shafts. It's so easy to just remove the strut rods that I just do that. In fact, I'm going to be doing it real soon.