Replacing body bushings on 1979 Monte Carlo

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As for lining up the body, I've not bolted mine down yet, still waiting for more garage time. There's an alignment hole in the front LH side by the emergency brake, and a alignment slot by the RH rear mount, that I've heard mentioned. I'm using a couple pieces of round steel to line up the frame to body, using these two locations.

Yes, by body will have a 1/8" lift on it, but I figured that would be better than just repairing the bad holes, I thought the mismatch in frame height could cause stress when I tightened the body back down. Either way, my old body bushings were about 1/2" the height of the new ones.

I started out lifting the rear, like mentioned in the turbo buick link, but really the side lifts better and gives good access. I made sure to put wood between the body and the frame when working, just in case the jack gave out.

At 55 mph, no one will notice the difference. 🙂
 
I would seriously consider welding the body to the frame before willingly tackling this project. You are all some brave men. LOL!
 
Thanks everybody!
Bolts and bushings arrived and now I'm off to tackle this project! Mike, I have thought the same thing a couple of times!
 
Good luck, man! Keep us up to date on your progress.
 
Well, to say that today went well would be a lie. I can only say that I have gotten good at using a hole saw. 😵 On the passenger side I cut 3.25 inch holes above #4, #6 & #7. On the Drivers side I have cut hole above #4 & #6. The bolts on #2 also broke. For those of you who have cut holes to get to #2, did you just make a judgement call and go in at an angle? The holes on #4 were done as a preemptive strike as I didn't feel the bolts coming lose and I wanted some time to soak them from above with PB blaster. While this is taking longer than I hoped, I'm glad I'm finding this out before something bad happened. Did I read somewhere here that the "cages" for the nuts were available to buy? Maybe somebody else has another solution for the "cages"? I'll post pictures soon as I took a few.

Thanks again!
 
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Here are a few picks from the holes I cut. Going to soak these another week and try them again. It does not look like it here, but all but #6 on the drivers side have solid cages (Just rusty). Provided I can get the broken bolts out, I think I can re-use them. If I get everything lined up, can I just weld the nut for #6 on the drivers side so that it does not float? I'll keep spraying them all week and hope I can coax them out next weekend.



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Above is #6 Drivers side


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Above is #6 & 7 on pass side



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Above is # 4 on Pass side. The bolt is still in tact here. Just going to soak it another week


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Above is # 4 on Drivers side. The bolt is still in tact here. Just going to soak it another week
 
Yes you can tack it in there but do it after the body is on an lined up.
 
Those are called diamond nut boards and we made those aftermarket, but they may not be here yet. I may have some for a car that i have parted if you get into a pinch. This is what to expect...lol. The thing is you need to figure out a way to make a diamond "holder" to keep the diamond from spinning.
 
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The one that spun on me, I just put a washer and nut on, but tacking a nut would work also. On some of the bolts that broke, I heated them up and was able to remove them with a stud extractor, so you might give that a shot too. At last resort, I hole sawed the body to get access from the top.
 
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Personally I don't see what the big deal is. All of my body bolts screwed right out without issuse and were in such fine shape I was able to reuse the bolts.
 
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