Shocks--Front Bushings

[Tony H.]

I just purchased new shocks for my '70 and I need some clarification before installation. According to the installation instructions that came with the GM shocks, the small diameter bushing goes on the top while the larger diameter bushing resides under the frame when installed. However, my 2nd edition judging guide states the opposite. Which is correct for a 1970 Corvette? Also, does the lower bushing which resides below the frame get painted gray as the rest of the shock? I am painting the shocks tonight for a weekend installation. I have ordered the latest edition of the judging guide for 70-72 Corvettes and it's supposedly in the mail.

Thanks in advance for any guidance. Tony

[Joe L.]

Re: Shocks--Front Bushings

Tony----

First of all, much of the hardware and bushing kit which comes with new GM shocks is incorrect. Originally, your 1970 front shocks were equipped with the following: lower retainer=GM #5544049; lower grommet=GM #3708378; upper grommet=GM #3790341; upper retainer=GM #3790342.

Over the years, the lower retainers and grommets have changed several times. The current part number for the lower retainer is GM # 25628204 and the lower grommet is GM # 6270752. These are probably what has been provided in your shock kit and they are very similar to the original part numbers described above. Also, they are very hard to see when installed on the car.

Usually, GM service shocks come with a kit which includes 2 identical retainers(GM #25628204) and two identical grommets(GM #6270752) as descibed above; For service, you use the same upper grommets and retainers as you do for the lower, so I am very surprised to hear that you have two different sized grommets. I have never seen a GM shock kit supplied with different sized grommets. In any event, use the grommet which is configured like the 6270752 grommet for the lower (I don't know how you'll know which one unless you get a known 6270752 to compare them to) and use one of the retainers for the lower.

For the uppers, don't use any of the grommets or hardware supplied with the kit. Instead, go to your GM dealer and order upper grommet GM #3790341 and upper retainer GM #3790342, the EXACT same parts which your car was originally equipped with. I have NEVER seen these parts supplied with a GM shock kit, so I doubt that's what you currently have. Of course, you won't have the parts in time for this weekend, but, when you're done, you will have the EXACT same configuration as original.

[Joe L.]

Re: Shocks--Front Bushings

Tony----

First of all, much of the hardware and bushing kit which comes with new GM shocks is incorrect. Originally, your 1970 front shocks were equipped with the following: lower retainer=GM #5544049; lower grommet=GM #3708378; upper grommet=GM #3790341; upper retainer=GM #3790342.

Over the years, the lower retainers and grommets have changed several times. The current part number for the lower retainer is GM # 25628204 and the lower grommet is GM # 6270752. These are probably what has been provided in your shock kit and they are very similar to the original part numbers described above. Also, they are very hard to see when installed on the car.

Usually, GM service shocks come with a kit which includes 2 identical retainers(GM #25628204) and two identical grommets(GM #6270752) as descibed above; For service, you use the same upper grommets and retainers as you do for the lower, so I am very surprised to hear that you have two different sized grommets. I have never seen a GM shock kit supplied with different sized grommets. In any event, use the grommet which is configured like the 6270752 grommet for the lower (I don't know how you'll know which one unless you get a known 6270752 to compare them to) and use one of the retainers for the lower.

For the uppers, don't use any of the grommets or hardware supplied with the kit. Instead, go to your GM dealer and order upper grommet GM #3790341 and upper retainer GM #3790342, the EXACT same parts which your car was originally equipped with. I have NEVER seen these parts supplied with a GM shock kit, so I doubt that's what you currently have. Of course, you won't have the parts in time for this weekend, but, when you're done, you will have the EXACT same configuration as original.

[Tony H.]

Re: Shocks--Front Bushings

Joe,

Thanks for your informative response! I just measured the grommet dimensions that arrived with the front shocks. The lower (large) grommet is about 1/2" thick (height)by 1.25" in diameter. The upper (small) grommet is also 1/2" thick by 1" in diameter. I don't have a sample of the original top grommet but if someone out there does, I would appreciate dimensions to compare with the grommets that I received with these shocks.

[Tony H.]

Re: Shocks--Front Bushings

Joe,

Thanks for your informative response! I just measured the grommet dimensions that arrived with the front shocks. The lower (large) grommet is about 1/2" thick (height)by 1.25" in diameter. The upper (small) grommet is also 1/2" thick by 1" in diameter. I don't have a sample of the original top grommet but if someone out there does, I would appreciate dimensions to compare with the grommets that I received with these shocks.