Replacing body bushings on 1979 Monte Carlo

[pontiacgp]

When I did my body bushing replacement I had to fabricate 9 cages for the stock nut plate. I made the cages the same design that GM used. If I had to do it again I would have drilled and tapped new nut plates and used SAE threads and SAE bolts. The metric bolts are way over priced

 

[rmorman]

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.

Wow... I'm jealous! I've been going out every morning before work and every evening after work and soaking each one that broke. Hoping that makes it easier this weekend. My car "grew up" in AZ, but spent maybe 10-15 years in the Iowa winters before being a summer car.

 

[tobyp]

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.

in ohio, and parting over 20 cars and provider of parts to many.....I can say you experienced the exception rather than the rule. I have only seen one car which had no body bolt damages....which I have the tub...as a trophy lol

 

[Geo's66]

Great pics!!!!! .... My car is almost at this point itself... Question, how are you going to clean the bottom and what are you going to use to paint/protect it?

 

[tobyp]

Great pics!!!!! .... My car is almost at this point itself... Question, how are you going to clean the bottom and what are you going to use to paint/protect it?

if you are referring to me, this is a parted car that I cannot have the heart to take a sawzall to. I have the hope of someone to buy it from me. It is in too good of shape.

 

[Geo's66]

Oh yes, I agree! That bottom looks great... Just didn't read deep enough once I saw this, since it's where I'm at.. Mine is about to go on rotisserie, so either crapload of grinding sanding or sandblasting, then lizard skin. Thanks man

 

[Clone TIE Pilot]

Wow... I'm jealous! I've been going out every morning before work and every evening after work and soaking each one that broke. Hoping that makes it easier this weekend. My car "grew up" in AZ, but spent maybe 10-15 years in the Iowa winters before being a summer car.

It still had one rusted out frame mount hole, passenger side number 2 which the HVAC drains water on. It is a NJ car but was hardly driven in the winter in its DD days and was under coated when it was new.

 

[rmorman]

A follow-up question as the bolts have been soaked twice a day all week long. Provided I can get the old/broken bolts out, I was able to locally source 14 washers with the correct dimensions. I got fourteen 14 gauge and fourteen 10 gauge. Will the 14 gauge be stout enough?

 

[rmorman]

Well, tonight I have the car ready to lift off of the frame. One of my concerns yet is that both bolts at #2 position, while broken, are still screwed into the body as I don't think I can get an extractor close enough until I lift the body up. I did a "trial" lift just to see if the pass side would rise. It did.

Question. With my 2ft long piece of 2x4, can I lift behind the rear wheels on the pass side to get 5-7? And then move to the middle. Or do I have to lift in the center under the door? Back out here tomorrow. Thanks for all the help!

On another good note, #6-7 frame holes on each side appear to be in great shape!

If anybody has any last min advice, feel free to share! 🙂

 

[ssn696]

Keep posting pictures. I may have to tackle this soon on the wagon. The 10 gauge ones would be my preference, but the trans mounts on the sides of the frame are made from 14-gauge, so they will probably also work fine.