Changing Bushings

[Rob F.]

I am wondering when you change the bushings in the a-arms, struts, rear suspension parts do you need a special tool to push the bushings in place or will a little lube and pressure work. Also is there a right and wrong way to put the centre shaft back in the A-arms.
Just looking for some input so I don't do it wrong. I tried to search the archieves but did not find much. I may have not been looking in the right place.
Thanks Rob

[Gary R.]

Re: Changing Bushings

If you have the original bushings they are probably dry rotted but I've seen some 40+ years old that were still good. If you're going through the suspensions then replace them. Be cautious on the quality of some "kits" most if not all are imported.
The front arms can be disassembled and assembled without a press and less chance of bending them. The rear T/S bushings require a special tool to compress and flare unless you use poly. I never use poly unless someone wants it but it's your car and choice. Check the rear strut rod bushings for the size, there were 2 sizes and who knows who worked on your car in the past. Don't use a poly snubber for the diff, use rubber. Again be aware of what you buying, if it sounds too good to be true then there's a reason.

[Harmon C.]

Re: Changing Bushings

The A-arms are very easy to bend so any method of pushing the bearings in must be supported on the back side of the hole. You will need a soild tube between the holes so as not to compress the A-arm if a bench press is used.

[Tom L.]

Re: Changing Bushings

What is the objection to poly snubbers? I put one in my car this fall and it seems fine, no more clunk. Is there something else I missed?

[John H.]

Re: Changing Bushings

What is the objection to poly snubbers? I put one in my car this fall and it seems fine, no more clunk. Is there something else I missed?

Lynn -

Unless whoever makes the poly snubber bushings has changed the tooling recently, the pucks are too thin, don't have the molded washers, and don't have the molded-in spacer tube that prevents metal-to-metal contact between the bolt and both the bracket and the frame.

[Rob F.]

Re: Changing Bushings

So what you all are saying is that Poly urethane pro bushing kits are no good. I should not be using these parts because they do not wear as well and will cause me difficulties. I should use rubber bushings instead. The bushing kit I have, I believe came from Last Detail Corvette in Atlanta, and was rather expensive. I had planned to use this but am now second guessing.

Thanks for the info.
Rob

[Rob F.]

Re: Changing Bushings

Hey John
I see that you are from the Michigan chapter. How is the group. Lots of meetings and good info. I am kind of in between the Ontario and Michigan chapters not sure which to look at joining. Where's the Michigan chapter located.

[Joe L.]

Re: Changing Bushings

So what you all are saying is that Poly urethane pro bushing kits are no good. I should not be using these parts because they do not wear as well and will cause me difficulties. I should use rubber bushings instead. The bushing kit I have, I believe came from Last Detail Corvette in Atlanta, and was rather expensive. I had planned to use this but am now second guessing.

Thanks for the info.
Rob

Rob-----


Yup. I wouldn't use a polyurethane bushing ANYWHERE on a Corvette. Actually, there are a few applications they will work ok for, but you'd still never catch me using them anywhere.

[Tom L.]

Re: Changing Bushings

I had no refrence for the thickness of the bushings, mine were done. I did however re-use the hardware. The washer that slips into the one bushing (I forget which) slipped in perfectly and everything went together fine. I do hope that I won't have to re-visit it to look again!

[Gary R.]

Re: Changing Bushings

I use poly engine mounts and tranny mounts without an issue but no where else. The well known poly company doesn't make the trans mount correct and hasn't for years now. They're off 1/4" and call to them revealed they're aware of it but still list them for corvette. Check your parts when you get them. Some of the snubbers were way off compared to stock rubber bushings. Sometimes marketing works better then the parts advertised.

[Tom L.]

Re: Changing Bushings

Does anyone know what the correct thickness and diameter of them are?

[John H.]

Re: Changing Bushings

Hey John
I see that you are from the Michigan chapter. How is the group. Lots of meetings and good info. I am kind of in between the Ontario and Michigan chapters not sure which to look at joining. Where's the Michigan chapter located.

Rob -

The core area for the Michigan Chapter is in the Detroit area, and we have a number of Canadian members. Take a look at our website at:

https://www.michiganncrs.org

[Kenneth T.]

Re: Changing Bushings

Tom,

I hope you were not holding your breath waiting for an answer, but here it is.
The pictures below are original rubber diff mount bushings(cushions)

The diameter of the large bushing is 2 5/16" and 1" thick. It has a metal washer imbedded on the bottom.

The top cushion is 1 3/4" OD. The rubber only, without the metal sleeve and washer is 1/2" thick and the hole is 5/8".

See attached pictures.

Ken

[Timothy B.]

Re: Changing Bushings

Are the front differential bushings still available from GM?

[Kenneth T.]

Re: Changing Bushings

Tim,

Yes, you can buy them from GMPartsdirect.com The lower bushing part number is 3795333 and the upper is 3788637. The only problem with them is the shipping cost and they will often sell only a package of 10 each items. What you do with the remainder is your cost and problem.

Ken