Sombrero - cross member bushing replacement

[Ed S.]

I need to purchase 2 new rear cross member (sombrero) bushings for my April build 64 convertible. Seeking recommendations for the name of a vendor that sells a "correct" bushing.

American's Finest Corvette says it "modifies" their NCRS correct bushing so it is correct for a 63-64. Apparently the 63-64 bushings were slightly shorter than later years. Also I have heard that a correct bushing only has 4 ears to bend over - most bushings I've seen listed on vendor websites have 6 ears. Thus you can understand my confusion as to a source for a "judgable", quality bushing. Thanks for your advice.

[Bob R.]

Re: Sombrero - cross member bushing replacement

I don't believe that any vendors are reproducing the 63 - 64 bushing correctly. As you noted the number of tabs on the original is different. I think I got replacements for my 63 from Long Island Corvette. I did not get a deduct at the Nationals last year on them.

[Ed S.]

Re: Sombrero - cross member bushing replacement

Bob,
Thanks, that is what I was afraid of. I can live with an incorrect # of tabs, I also understand that the height (or depth) of the rubber is different on 63-64s as compared to later C2s. The fact that AFC makes a point of that on their website makes me think (hope) theirs are correct in that regard - what I am concerned about is that incorrect bushings will affect ride height. Thanks again for the quick reply.

[Timothy B.]

Re: Sombrero - cross member bushing replacement

Ed,

I have never heard that the height of the rubber bushing is different for 63-64 cars. I always thought the only change was the # of retaining tabs, can you elaborate some on this height thing.

[Joe L.]

Re: Sombrero - cross member bushing replacement

Ed,

I have never heard that the height of the rubber bushing is different for 63-64 cars. I always thought the only change was the # of retaining tabs, can you elaborate some on this height thing.

Timothy------


I'm unaware of that, either. In any event, the later style cushions were SERVICE for 1963. So, whether the original ones were shorter, or not, the later version will replace them. However, considering the configuration of the crossmember and the cushions, I don't see how the original 63 cushions could have been shorter if the later versions will work.

[Joe L.]

Re: Sombrero - cross member bushing replacement

Bob,
Thanks, that is what I was afraid of. I can live with an incorrect # of tabs, I also understand that the height (or depth) of the rubber is different on 63-64s as compared to later C2s. The fact that AFC makes a point of that on their website makes me think (hope) theirs are correct in that regard - what I am concerned about is that incorrect bushings will affect ride height. Thanks again for the quick reply.

Ed-------


I'm glad that you're OK with the later style tab configuration. I would not even consider installing later style cushions modified with reduced number of tabs. You don't suppose that GM went to the later design because the early design worked just as well, do you? These cushions are critical and I want them to work perfectly.

[Ed S.]

Re: Sombrero - cross member bushing replacement

Timothy,

Re my comment on the height of the rubber bushings, I am making some assumptions here based on two data points. The first is from the write up on the bushings on the Americas Finest Corvette website. AFC states, "This bushing is NCRS correct for 1966-1979 but we at America's Finest Corvettes will modify this bushing to be NCRS for your 1963-1965 corvette at no additional cost to our customers."
Obviously AFC is making some kind of "modification" but they do not specify what the mod is. My other reference point is something I recently read (and cannot recall where) where a member had a problem with a bushing because it was taller than needed to be and he learned that it was for a 66 or later Corvette and he was restoring a 63 or 64. I am assuming there is something different between the early and late bushings and speculated that it might be the height. But I will admit I could (and probably am) wrong about that.

Do you, or others know what the difference between early and late bushings is?

[Joe L.]

Re: Sombrero - cross member bushing replacement

Timothy,

Re my comment on the height of the rubber bushings, I am making some assumptions here based on two data points. The first is from the write up on the bushings on the Americas Finest Corvette website. AFC states, "This bushing is NCRS correct for 1966-1979 but we at America's Finest Corvettes will modify this bushing to be NCRS for your 1963-1965 corvette at no additional cost to our customers."
Obviously AFC is making some kind of "modification" but they do not specify what the mod is. My other reference point is something I recently read (and cannot recall where) where a member had a problem with a bushing because it was taller than needed to be and he learned that it was for a 66 or later Corvette and he was restoring a 63 or 64. I am assuming there is something different between the early and late bushings and speculated that it might be the height. But I will admit I could (and probably am) wrong about that.

Do you, or others know what the difference between early and late bushings is?

Ed------


I expect that the only modification that AFC makes to the cushions is to remove some of the bend-over tabs to mimic the 1963-65 configuration. Assuming the 63-65 cushions were shorter, I can see no practical way to shorten the cushions. In that regard, even if the 63-65 cushions were shorter I cannot see how that could be discerned with the cushions installed in the crossmember.

[Richard G.]

Re: Sombrero - cross member bushing replacement

I just attempted to install an aftermarket set of bushing into my 1063 cross-member. The Outside Diameter was .100" larger than the ones I removed. I attempted to install them with a rubber hammer. No luck at all. I ended up returning them and reusing the old ones. If they fit at all it would have required a press to install them. Never found out, if using a press, was the normal installation procedure for original bushings.
It would be almost impossible to inspect these on an assembled car. I never looked into the dept of the mounting pad in the center of the bushing.
Rick

[Edward J.]

Re: Sombrero - cross member bushing replacement

Rich , I have replaced a few sets of these bushings and I pressed them in without to much trouble.

[Tony S.]

Re: Sombrero - cross member bushing replacement

Ed. No current vendor sells correctly configured sombrero bushings for a 63 through March 65 Corvette. Only service replacements are available. Sorry.

[Timothy B.]

Re: Sombrero - cross member bushing replacement

Ed,

I seem to remember the bushings I got for my 63 years ago had more bend over tabs and I had to press them in. I believe they came from GM and the time frame was 1980 or so. The reason I asked you about the height is because I could not recall a difference except the tabs but that was a long time ago.

Are these bushings available from any tier one supplier or do you need to go to the reproduction world where quality is always a question.

[Dan H.]

Re: Sombrero - cross member bushing replacement

Ed, had AFC bushings installed in my 64, used all the tabs, just like a service replacement and stronger? for a reason. Believe they supply many of the current vendors with these.
Dan

[Ed S.]

Re: Sombrero - cross member bushing replacement

Richard,

May I ask, what vendor did you buy the bushings from?

[Richard G.]

Re: Sombrero - cross member bushing replacement

Richard,

May I ask, what vendor did you buy the bushings from?

Ebay vendor. Possibly others use a different source. I just couldnt see how I was going to compress the bushing one tenth of an inch. Would like to know the diameter of an OEM bushing.