Next problem on my 57

[Dan D.]

Hi Guys (again).

This time the rear cross member body mounts.

The rubber cushions were in very bad shape on my car, so I am trying to replace them.

The new cushions have a 1" diameter shoulder on them, should be to fit the holes in the cross member and the under body of the car. Both holes in my car are not 1". They are 3/4" so the shoulder will not fit in the hole.

Does anybody that has done a recent body-off restoration remember or know anything about this possible problem? I hate to drill out original holes unless I know this is what has to be done.

I would appreciate any help.

Dan D.

[Mark E.]

Re: Next problem on my 57

I'm not familiar with this part but from your description- is it likely you have the wrong part or a poor reproduction? Before altering the car to fit the part confirm with the supplier they sent the right part. Then shop other sources and ask about the expected dimensions.

[Steven B.]

Re: Next problem on my 57

Dan, just to verify are you talking about the crossmember on the frame kickups or the fa rear crossmember? If the far rear crossmember verify the number of holes in the crossmember. The 58 to 60 includes extra holes for bumper mounting, 56-57 no extra holes.

[David H.]

Re: Next problem on my 57

Dan

Just to verify, these are parts you're referring to.

Dave

Rear 1957 Body Cushion .jpg

[Dan D.]

Re: Next problem on my 57

Thank You for the responses.

Mark, they may have combined 56/57 with later years, which may be different - don't know, but they are definitely rear cross member cushions.

Steve, it is the rear most cross member.

Dave, that is the correct illustration. It is in the AIM, I have going by it for the correct assembly of parts. I did not mention it before, but my car was assembled wrong. In its previous life it had been hit bad in the rear, and many parts were replaced. For instance, my cushions were sandwiched between the cross-member. Should be sandwiched between the under body. The AIM illustration found this out for me. On the under body they installed large steel plates under the head of the bolt to spread out the stress on the fiberglass.

I found a way to fix the problem. The cushions are some kind of a very hard rubber compound, so I was able to machine down the diameter of the shoulder in my lathe. They are not perfect - there are some ragged edges, and the shoulder is much smaller now, but there is still some shoulder and it fits in the holes. They are now installed and all is well.

I have attached some photos so you can see the condition of the old -possible original - cushions. It looks like the shoulder was not centered in the holes - the cushions, and shoulder are crushed. Also a pic of the steel plates they installed in the under body, and one machining the new cushions.

IMG_0908[1].jpgIMG_0914[1].jpgIMG_0923[1].jpg

Thanks again

Dan

[Steven B.]

Re: Next problem on my 57

Dan and David, thanks! I was getting confused as my December '57 that I have had for 60 years doesn't have that issue. The rear member on late '56 and '57 is different that '58-'60 as noted. Glad you found the issue and have a fix!! Steve

[Gary C.]

Re: Next problem on my 57

To clarify, the '57 rear cross member changed to the '58 style mid '57 production, approximately VIN 2800. It has the '58 bumper holes, but no captured nuts are welded inside the cross member.

AFAIK all the 53-57 rear cross member body cushions have the same diameter shoulder.

Gary
....

[Steven B.]

Re: Next problem on my 57

To clarify, the '57 rear cross member changed to the '58 style mid '57 production, approximately VIN 2800. It has the '58 bumper holes, but no captured nuts are welded inside the cross member.

AFAIK all the 53-57 rear cross member body cushions have the same diameter shoulder.

Gary
....

Thanks Gary! I saw 46XX years ago with the the fewer holes but it had been restored and the rear member possibly replaced. Thanks!

[Dan D.]

Re: Next problem on my 57

You learn something new every day with these old cars.
My car is 41xx, mid May 57 build. I don't know what the newer cross members look like, but I don't see any extra holes in my cross member. There are extra holes, but they all look to me like weep holes.

Again, my car was hit bad, so I can't say for sure if its the original frame or not.

Dan

[Gary C.]

Re: Next problem on my 57

Dan,

56-7 JM Chassis Section #16 has a drawing that illustrates the early and mid rear cross member holes.

Rear cross member photo VIN3004
Rear Cross Member 1957 VIN2800up.jpg

Gary
....

[Dan D.]

Re: Next problem on my 57

Thanks Gary,

I did not think to look in the judging guide. I did not know the cross member changed mid production year.

My car, 41xx has the extra holes, making the later cross member correct for my car.

Question, what were the weld nuts in the older version for?

In the photo, the cushion mounts have silver wings on them. What are they?

Dan

[Gary C.]

Re: Next problem on my 57

Dan,

1) did you mean "what were the welded nuts for"? Welded nuts in the 2 sets of double holes were added with the '58 revision to bolt bumpers to
2) that's masking tape holding the body mount cushions in place in preparation for the body drop

Gary
....

[Dan D.]

Re: Next problem on my 57

Okay Gary, so the holes were added, but the nuts not until 58. Correct?

I'm confused on the cushions. The cushions are on top of the cross member, isolating the frame from the body. That's the way the AIM shows it. It's just that the photo looks like the cushions are on the bottom..

Dan

[Gary C.]

Re: Next problem on my 57

Dan,

Never looked that photo that close. I can assure you they were installed between the body and frame.

Gary
....

Body Dropv1.jpg

[Dan D.]

Re: Next problem on my 57

I agree Gary. That is a beautiful picture of your body drop.

I can see the tape and cushions in the photo.

That part of my car is done and all is well. Thanks for your help.

I'm on to the next problem now.

Dan