KENTUCKY81

Does anyone know an easy way to get the retaining piece of this bumper through the hole on the frame. I've greased it, pushed and twisted on it, C clamped it, nicked the edge of the retainer and tryed to screw it, but it just will not co-operate. Any new ideas would be appreciated. :smash:

Vader953

Getting mine done Saturday bud. Some can get them in with a C-Clamp, but it's VERY difficult. Almost all people have them professionally pressed in. There are plenty of shops around that do it. I found a guy out in the country who is doing mine.

Vader953

Oh, by the way, I'm from Russellville and Bowling Green KY, and I graduated from Murray State. I used to love going to Jeramiah's downtown and to the Boat in Metropolis with my buddies!!

Jeese, seems like so long ago and it has only been 2 years. Working life sure isn't as fun as college!

KENTUCKY81

Yea I like that place too. I'm pretty hooked on the Whaler's Sea Food.
Wednesday is Oyster night, tonight as a matter of fact. I just moved here about 1.5 years ago. Lived pretty close to Sherevport LA, so Whaler's is kinda like an oasis for me when it comes to cajun sea food.
Look me up if your ever in town. I work at CSI.

KENTUCKY81

Thanks for the info. Is there some special press tool they use. I can't imagine how they would press something on the frame.
:confused:

Tom Johnson

I did mine on my 71. I used a heat gun to warm it up some and WD-40. Worked real good for me.

john's '81 mouse

Agree that warming the rubber bumper up would be very helpful, how about soaking it in very hot water for 5 minutes or so before attempting installation? Also suggest you lubricate the hole in the frame with petroleum jelly. I agree that it's tuff to get this installed, I had some difficulty installing mine during front end rebuild last year, but like most other things, with a little time and effort, got it done.

Good luck.

KENTUCKY81

Thanks for ideas, I will try that tonight. The heat should do the trick. :cheers:

phoenix

I'll be doing this next week. I too appreciate the info :D

KENTUCKY81

Wow, boiling the rubber works great. Without heat I spent a good 30 min
just trying. With heat, about 5 min. Thanks again for the help, sure did simplify the job. :cheers:

Clink69

Petroleum Jelly might break the rubber down over time.

:flag

KENTUCKY81

I just used a little grease of the tie rod end.

Vader953

KY 81,

I ate at the Whaler about 3 years ago for my frat's homecoming. Nice place!!!

I'm leaving work in 30 min to start rebuilding my front end tonight with an awesome mechanic who's a member of our local Corvette Club. I've had the parts for about a year, but haven't had the $ to pay for labor. Damn, I'm excited. I'll let you all know how it works out.

KENTUCKY81

I finally finished up mine just a couple of days ago and had the alignment done yesterday. My excitment level was really high! The real bummer is that even after I rebuilt/replaced everything from the end of the column on down. The remanufactured stearing gear box that I got from Ecklers :smash: seems to have more play in it that the original one did. Guess I'm going to give them a call tonight and maybe just buy a new one. I duno..... really thought they would replace the internals. :confused: