C3 Spicer sway bar bushing

[Michael B.]

Sorry to rehash this old topic. I recently purchased the swaybar bushings from my local parts guy (and friend). Using the original GM number it translated to Spicer part 550-1002. As he and I understand it Spicer is now making this and other GM parts so one would think the parts should match.

I had faith that even though appearing too tall and narrow it would do what it should do. It did, but not quite enough. There is still an wedge about 1/8" on one bushing and 1/4" on the other where the opening slit is and about 1/8" on either side of the bushing bracket; in other words it does not fill the space up. The old bushing was overflowing of course having swelled through the years.

Is it expected the bushing will swell over time or is it just too small. Seems too small to me. Should I just give in and head to the local Chevy dealer??? (I guess this is one part to discount as a direct replacement).

Thanks,

Michael B.

[Stephen L.]

Re: C3 Spicer sway bar bushing

Try one of the many Corvette "specialty" parts houses and you'll get the correct part. They should fit snug from the get-go.......

[Joe L.]

Re: C3 Spicer sway bar bushing

Michael-----

There are may be as many as 2 sway bars on any Corvette and there are a variety of bushings associated with each. You didn't mention which sway bar and you didn't mention which bushings. However, I'm going to assume that you are referring to the u-shaped, frame-to-sway bar bushings for the front sway bar. These encircle the sway bar and fit into u-shaped brackets which attach with 2 bolts each to the front frame.

Now, is the situation that you describe the way things are BEFORE you installed the bushings or AFTER you installed the bushings? If what you're decribing is BEFORE you install the bushings, then that's the way it's supposed to be. The bushings will compress around the sway bar and into the u-shaped brackets once you install them. If what you're describing is the way it is AFTER you installed the bushings, then you got the wrong bushings.

If the bushings you obtained are the Spicer equivalent of GM #3923674 then you have the correct bushings.

[Michael B.]

Re: C3 Spicer sway bar bushing

Joe,

Indeed this is for the front U shaped frame-to-sway bar bushing and I am describing the AFTER installation picture. It is the Spicer equivalent for GM #3923674 which means they are cutting the part too short and too narrow. I wonder if this means the GM part will be the same given that they are now made by Spicer!