C3 Rear strut rod part #03775762

[Rob C.]

Hi again. I just picked up my new Genuine GM Bushings form my rear strut rods and they came with an outer sleeve that dose not fit in the rod it is to big.
Is there another alternitive? I would like to keep it stock (rubber).
Thank you,
Rob

[Joe L.]

Re: C3 Rear strut rod part #03775762

Rob-----

There are some strut rod bushings on the market now that are manufactured without the outer steel shell. Actually, from a functional perspective, I don't really recommend these. The original strut rod bushings were vulcanized in place. Obviously, the non-outer steel shell replacements are not this sort of bushing.

I don't know what you mean by "...it does not fit in the rod it is to big". I don't know if that means that the bushing is too big for the rod or the rod is too big for the bushing. However, all 1963-74 Corvettes ORIGINALLY used a strut rod that fits the GM #3775762 replacement strut rod bushing. This bushing is 1-1/4" OD and will fit in original 63-74 strut rods (it must be pressed in with an arbor or hydraulic press, though). 1975-82 Corvettes used strut rods with a 1-3/8" OD replacement bushing of GM #3829519. The confusing part is that the larger end strut rods are the only ones which have been available in SERVICE from GM for all 63-82 Corvettes for the last 30 years, or so. So, even if you are talking about a 68-74 Corvette, the strut rods may have been replaced at some point with the later style. In that case, the 3775762 bushings will not fit; the strut rod ends will be too large to accept them.

[Rob C.]

Re: C3 Rear strut rod part #03775762

Hi Joe, First thank you for all the input now and in the past.
The strut rod is small so I have to press them in. When you say "you don't recomend these" are you saying that the steel anoe don't work well or do I look for the old style?
Thank you,
Rob

[Joe L.]

Re: C3 Rear strut rod part #03775762

Rob-----

It's the ones WITHOUT the steel outer shell that I don't recommend. The GM replacements, also available from Corvette parts vendors, and with the outer steel shell usually work fine. As I mentioned, these need to be pressed in with an arbor or hydraulic press and the MUST be pressed in "straight-and-true".