Stuck Cradle Bushing---Nope, Not The Front One (Page 1/1)
fierofool JUN 08, 07:23 PM
When dropping the cradle on my 86SE for an engine swap, one of the cage nuts on the rear mount had broken loose and was spinning. The cradle bolt was cut out with a torch. This melted the lower half of the bushing to the cradle. What are my best options to separate and remove this portion of the mount bushing? Drill some holes in it from the bottom and use a torch to set it on fire? Seems that trying to pry it out isn't working. It's stuck too solidly.
Tha Driver JUN 08, 09:13 PM
Got an air chisel?
~ Paul
aka "Tha Driver"

Custom Fiberglass Parts
fierofool JUN 09, 07:35 AM
Yes, we do.
Dennis LaGrua JUN 10, 04:18 AM
The OEM rear cradle bushings are rubber . The top half is pressed in place while the bottom one has a metal sleeve. You should be able to pry off the top half with a pry bar. Sounds like you got that. After that is removed you can usually pound out the bottom sleeve with a hammer. If the top half does not come loose, then carefully cut it in half with a hack saw being careful not to score the cradle. Once the top half is removed apply PB blaster to the bottom sleeve, wait a bit then pound it out.
Rodney Dickman sells replacement cage nuts that will work and hold in place. I access them by removing the rear facia. Some slice an access hole in the cradle but I dislike that method.

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" THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite.
"THE COLUSSUS"
87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H
" ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "

fierofool JUN 10, 10:53 AM
I used the search function and I found one of your posts regarding this problem and forwarded it to a club member where the car is located. The bottom half of the bushing melted to the cradle. It was already in bad shape and the heat just made matters worse. The top half came off with no problem.

He has gotten the bottom half out by using chisels, pry bars, and a big wire brush on an angle grinder to clean out the remnants.



A window was cut into the side of the frame rail to remove the nut and end of the bolt. The plan has been to use 1/2 inch plate in a length that's more than the width of the rail. Drill and tap it for the bolt. Once it's inserted into the frame rail, it won't spin. I think one of the guys planned on tacking it to the inside, too. I had searched Rodney's site for a repair piece but could only find replacement bolts and nuts.

Thanks for the response.

[This message has been edited by fierofool (edited 06-10-2020).]

Dennis LaGrua JUN 10, 10:24 PM
If you are careful you can use a saber saw to cut the sleeve of the bottom cradle bushing out Use a vertical cut. Just don't go in too deep, check often or you can cut into the cradle. Then the stuck cradle bushing can be removed with a hammer and chisel.

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" THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite.
"THE COLUSSUS"
87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H
" ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "