C1 GM stamp on original front suspension shaft bushings

[Ian G.]

Hi all,

I just finished disassembling my '59 front suspension for restoration and rebuild. I have the various shaft bushings cleaned up and note that they all have GM stamps on the ends, except for two that look a bit different and were probably replaced in service at some point. I haven't got to the point where I know which if any I need to replace (as well as the shafts and pins themselves) but I'm wondering if we have a preferred repro vendor that replicates these stamps. If there is no vendor who sells them with the stamps, is there a gent who will stamp them for me? Or should I not worry about it, since it isn't judged (yet)? I'll be posting pics of the shafts and bushings and hopefully someone can help me figure out what needs to go -- Hi Tom Parsons

[Mike M.]

Re: C1 GM stamp on original front suspension shaft bushings

i've re-used the bushings and new shafts on all the c-1's i've restored(as long as they're tight in the threads, and i've yet to find slop with this method). these bushing stampings are judged by the chassis teams.the un-stamped bushings are almost certainly original.mike

[Tom P.]

Re: C1 GM stamp on original front suspension shaft bushings

I'm not 100% sure that all 53-62 Vette (as well as 49-54 pass cars) bushings and shafts were manufactured with the GM logo (either stamped or raised by forging). IF, just IF, these old frontend parts were manufactured by outside vendors to GM, then they MAY not have received any kind of GM logo. MANY years ago when I first started building these early frontends, I tossed EVERY single removed part and installed new parts from various sources (NAPA, TRW, Perfect Circle, GM, etc) because no one back then either knew nor cared about ORIGINAL, GENUINE, FACTORY INSTALLED GM stuff. If the local auto parts store parts were a 100% functional fit/interchange, that's all that mattered. You know, like like light bulbs---who the heck cared if it was GE, Sylvania, T3 or whatever. A light bulb was a light bulb was a light bulb!!! But not any more!
But today, every single stinkin' part that I pull off of a frontend gets put into a collection of used parts. And of course, the lower, outer shafts/bushings now become removal/installation tools for the upper-inner shafts (you guys DO KNOW about that, right? ).

[Mike M.]

Re: C1 GM stamp on original front suspension shaft bushings

I'm not 100% sure that all 53-62 Vette (as well as 49-54 pass cars) bushings and shafts were manufactured with the GM logo (either stamped or raised by forging). IF, just IF, these old frontend parts were manufactured by outside vendors to GM, then they MAY not have received any kind of GM logo. MANY years ago when I first started building these early frontends, I tossed EVERY single removed part and installed new parts from various sources (NAPA, TRW, Perfect Circle, GM, etc) because no one back then either knew nor cared about ORIGINAL, GENUINE, FACTORY INSTALLED GM stuff. If the local auto parts store parts were a 100% functional fit/interchange, that's all that mattered. You know, like like light bulbs---who the heck cared if it was GE, Sylvania, T3 or whatever. A light bulb was a light bulb was a light bulb!!! But not any more!
But today, every single stinkin' part that I pull off of a frontend gets put into a collection of used parts. And of course, the lower, outer shafts/bushings now become removal/installation tools for the upper-inner shafts (you guys DO KNOW about that, right? ).

tom: i'm unaware of their use as tools. please educate me. regards,mike

[Tom P.]

Re: C1 GM stamp on original front suspension shaft bushings

tom: i'm unaware of their use as tools. please educate me. regards,mike

Mike,
A specific tool is listed in the 49-54 pass car service manual, as well as on pg 3-11, 3-12, 3-16 of the ST12, Kent-Moore tool# J-2958. This is used for BOTH removal and installation of the upper-inner shaft.
During a frontend rebuild, the removed lower-outer shaft and bushing make a perfect tool for this purpose. BUT, if the lower-outer shaft and bushing are not going to be replaced, or, if the old one is just worn too badly, then a new lower-outer shaft and bushing can be used as a remove/install tool.
The below link is what I put together several months ago on a complete frontend rebuild for John Neas' wife's 57 (one of many that I've done over the years). Scroll down through the article and you can plainly see how a lower-outer shaft and bushing are used for this purpose.
http://www.chevytalk.org/fusionbb/sh...hp?tid/218134/

[Dennis C.]

Re: C1 GM stamp on original front suspension shaft bushings

I completed rebuilding my front suspension recently and re-installed the crossmember this past weekend.

I followed Tom's tips and the ST-12 and I can tell you several of Tom's tips were a big help.

All of the parts I removed were badly worn and I was only able to install one of the upper shafts with my old lower outer bushings. I had to use one of the new ones for the second one. I don't think I would have used the new parts if it wasn't for Tom's advice.

The only GM logo I found was on the lower inner shafts. Given the wear on my parts, I believe this was the first time the front suspension had been touched.

Dennis

[Mike M.]

Re: C1 GM stamp on original front suspension shaft bushings

Mike,
A specific tool is listed in the 49-54 pass car service manual, as well as on pg 3-11, 3-12, 3-16 of the ST12, Kent-Moore tool# J-2958. This is used for BOTH removal and installation of the upper-inner shaft.
During a frontend rebuild, the removed lower-outer shaft and bushing make a perfect tool for this purpose. BUT, if the lower-outer shaft and bushing are not going to be replaced, or, if the old one is just worn too badly, then a new lower-outer shaft and bushing can be used as a remove/install tool.
The below link is what I put together several months ago on a complete frontend rebuild for John Neas' wife's 57 (one of many that I've done over the years). Scroll down through the article and you can plainly see how a lower-outer shaft and bushing are used for this purpose.
http://www.chevytalk.org/fusionbb/sh...hp?tid/218134/

thanks for the education tom.mike