Replacing body bushings on 1979 Monte Carlo

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rmorman

Greasemonkey
Jun 5, 2008
158
18
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Perry, IA
Hello,
Spent a good bit of yesterday and today researching what I need to do to replace the body bushings after I noticed that the bolt on #6 passenger side had rusted completely through. See this link: Body Bushings
I have found LOTS of good threads here, including these:
https://gbodyforum.com/threads/body-bushings-replacement.20146/
&
https://gbodyforum.com/threads/body-bushing-replacement.50739/

I have already ordered the complete bolt set from Dixie Monte Carlo and the Poly Energy suspension from Rock Auto.

I have a couple questions:

What all do I need to remember to loosen/remove/prepare before separating the body & frame (just enough to perform the changes)? Bumpers? ???

What are the torque Specs for the new bolts?

Has anybody built the "teebar" from the link above?

Is there a thread that shows detailed pictures using the teebar or completing the installation?

This will be by first go at this, so ANY AND ALL advice is GREATLY appreciated!
grin.gif


Thanks,
Russ
 

Longroof79

Rocket Powered Basset Hound
G-Body of the Month
Oct 14, 2008
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Russ,
I would recommend trying to shoot some good penetrating oil in and around the bolts and body. PB Blaster or Kroil. Kroil is your better choice, if you could find it...but I used ol' PB Blaster.
I soaked mine for days and went back using a breaker bar and gradually loosening the bolts. I don't recommend using an impact wrench on it to remove the bolts. However, I did use the impact gun installing the bolts...then going back to torque them to 52 ft lbs.

I saw the T-bar method of lifting the body on the Turbo Buick website. You can use a 2 x 3 (or 4) and nail a small block to the side of the piece of wood for better jack contact.

It's a matter of loosening all the bolts, but not removing them entirely. Remove one side at a time and lift the side with the bolts removed first.

Purchasing new bolts was prudent on your part. You'll probably find a few that were ready to snap. I just urge you to take your time, and you'll do fine.
 

ssn696

Living in the Past
Supporting Member
Jul 19, 2009
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Take the fan, shroud and radiator out of the car before lifting the body. Try to get the gas out of the tank (it will be sitting for awhile anyway and gas these days does not age well). Disconnect the hose at the fuel pump, get a siphon bulb at Harbor Freight, and pull it into a gas can. And get the junk out of the trunk!
 

rmorman

Greasemonkey
Jun 5, 2008
158
18
18
Perry, IA
Thanks for the advice! Just went out to the shop to see about spraying some PB blaster on the bolts. The only thing I can see is the head of the bolts. Is spraying those going to do ANY good? I was hoping to snake around and be able to get to the other end of the bolt. Is there anything I need to remove when I attempt to lift the body? I remember reading folks removing the bumpers. Also, will I have any issues with the rad supports? I will not be using an impact. Just a SLOW back and forth with a breaker bar.

Thanks again!
 

rmorman

Greasemonkey
Jun 5, 2008
158
18
18
Perry, IA
The car has electric cooling fans, so no mechanical one to remove. Also an electric fuel pump located back by the gas tank. So, no shroud and fuel removal should be a snap! I'll get the radiator out as well. The only thing in the trunk is a small sub and the amplifier. I'll get those out as well.

Thanks again!
 

ssn696

Living in the Past
Supporting Member
Jul 19, 2009
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When you're under the car near the firewall, look up - it seems like there is a way into the caged nut above front body mounts where you could spray through the little straw and get it right where you want.
 

Clone TIE Pilot

Comic Book Super Hero
Aug 14, 2011
3,831
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Galaxy far far away
There is a good chance you might need frame repair washers and a MIG, welder. The passenger side number 2 frame mount are almost always rusted out.
 

crucial118

Royal Smart Person
Nov 15, 2008
1,055
51
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MARYLAND, DMV
Don't know where you live, I live in Md(a salt state), but I am doing a frame off on my 80 Monte and I had just about all of my bolts break when trying to separate the body from frame. Winters have been bad to the car I bought. I had to repair 3 frame mounts and 3 body mounts. Be prepared. And have fun.
 

Longroof79

Rocket Powered Basset Hound
G-Body of the Month
Oct 14, 2008
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I suggested the gradual breaker bar and penetrating oil method to try and minimize the amount of snapped bolts. I was lucky, I didn't even snap one. However, some were on the verge of snapping due to advanced deterioration and twisting. I caught some just in time.
My car was formerly a northern car that had seen it's share of ice, snow and salt. Fortunately, it had spent most of it's life down here in sunny Florida, and no longer subjected to harsh winters.

The job is pretty straight forward. Just use your common sense. You may have to remove your bumper fillers and maybe loosen your bumpers at the energy absorbers and pull them out a bit for clearance.

Good luck! Be patient and hopefully there won't be much, or any bolt and cage nut breakage.
 
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