H P Bushrod

Replacing the heater core when I had my '85 was a learning experience. Even after removing the passenger seat, it was still a challenge.

Midnight 85

I haven't done the booster replace, (crossing fingers) but I did do the heater core. That is a slow walk through hell.

lgolson

I don't know if it was the hardest but the most frustrating was definitely changing out the tail light bulbs on my old 86. My arms weren't really small enough to reach through the inner 2 lights to get at the outer 2 lights. Having the tail light covers bolted on through the inside of the bumper was a really, really dumb idea. GM engineers must have been under the impression that everlasting bulbs would be used and no one would ever need to change them

derekguzz

I did everything at once...Heater core, lowered front and rear, u joints, bearings, shocks, clutch, flywheel, motor, radiator, battery ect..Here is the biggest PITA.. I would say the hardest part was getting the C-beam back in and getting the trans and shifter back to where its supposed to go.

rickhigginshtbr

the starter on my 85 without removing the exhaust... definitely gave my shoulders a work out. the stock shocks required a torch on the rear.... and scared myself crapless the weekend i bought it and snapped 2 spark plugs changing them out (yea, they were the originals, too)

rithsleeper

Brake booster. Everything is done on your back and upsidedown. I didn't remove my seat either, that was my first problem. I almost cried I was so frustrated getting the bolt back on the back of the firewall... instead I just cursed alot and threw stuff.

JrRifleCoach

Shortly after purchasing my 86, I completely dismantled and overhauled the suspension and drivetrain. Two years later I pulled all the belt line molding and bumpers and trim for paint.

All things considered...the water pump

jaa1992

So far that is the ONE part if it breaks again is going to the mechanic to be replaced. Made up new curse words doing that one.

Was smart enough to take it to the mechanic for the high pressure power steering hose replacement. He said it was difficult getting the old hose off the power steering rack. And I don't have the tools to attempt it.

F22

Here's my vote: Late C4 in-line fuel filter! I did the wife's 87' early this year with ease. It wasn't hard at all. Then decided to do my 95'. What a royal b!tch! They put it up deep inside behind the right front wheel, between the cat and the body structure. There is no room for a wrench to hold the top nut on the filter, so you end up putting a tubing wrench on the top line and using the whole filter as a 'nut' by turning it on the bottom of the filter to loosen the top tube nut.

Then you remove the bottom tubing. No big deal there, but try putting it back on. I started with the bottom line, then tried to get the top line to start. No go. It wouldn't start for nothing and this is with Chevron Premium with Techron pouring down my arm and soaking my t-shirt. It started to burn bad, especially on the back of my left shoulder. Had to strip the shirt off and run to the shower to rinse the gasoline off.

Come back and it's still dripping fuel! Undo the bottom line and line up the top line and it finally starts and get that tight. Meanwhile, fuel still pouring down my arm. Got the second line and finally the gasoline flow stopped. I smell like a fuel spill and have to take another shower and toss another old t-shirt in the trash! What a ******!

johnnymo63

That sounds exactly like my experience on my 94.
I swapped in a D44 and had to redrill the D36 C-beam to make it fit.
It was frustrating to get the bolts back in and tight, but that fuel filter change really pi$$ed me off!

5POINT7

I feel like almost everything I replaced on my vettes ended up being a pita.

F22

Exactly! The only easy thing to do on the C4 is the fuel pump and the fuses.

WICKEDFRC

3 "small" things.

1. Hazard Relay Switch
2. Clutch Master Cylider and those ridiculous hard to get back on bolts to the housing assembly
3. Clutch line separating connector. The plastic ring was so worn out, the J-Tool was useless. I didnt want to cut the line so I pried for 8 hours over two days and finally got it separated. When I installed the new line, I wrapped the separator with sleeve protectors like used for spark plug wires.

buktlst

Replaced 1st Wife with 2nd Wife, 2nd wife didn't work well so I replaced
her with Wife #3 and she's a keeper. Looks great and runs very well.

shakedown067

Steering Rack. It's not hard, but you have to remove so much crap to get it out it makes it a PITA. Can't stand plugs and wires either for my 96. I've found it's better to have my vette mechanic do them.

F22

Yes, admittedly, I've gone that route too. Sure I can do it myself (and have! I did the top end on my wife's 87' TPI C4 a few years ago) but your personal time (and aggravation) is sure worth something, isn't it?

ShadowC4

I had to do a cam with the engine inside the car. I took off the heads see how it looked after running for 30k since i was there anyways. I also had to jack up the block to clear that freakin bar.

F22

Didn't you love the fact that you had to remove the driver's side accessory bracket (and the alternator), just to get the valve cover off!

desertmike1

removing a broke knock sensor stub...

F22

Been there, done that! Just got married to Wife #3 in Maui a couple o' weeks ago. We both have C4's (her Medium Blue 87') and my Torch Red 95'. Add Harleys, Mountain bikes and Racquetball four times a week and I think this one is going to work (plus she loves hi-octane IPA's too, especially the Imperials!)