'76 Strut Rod Bushing install
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
'76 Strut Rod Bushing install
Hello fellow enthusiasts, anybody ever install rubber bushing on the strut rods? I've went to all past threads and every one seems to have used poly bushing. It's too late for me to turn around now, everything else is rubber and all the parts are purchased. How do you get that fat thing in the hole. I've tried a press, freezing the bushing while hose clamps are around it, greasing it, consumed beer, dead end. Total restore underway Thanks Jay
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 1,047
Likes: 3
From: CA
Dont have your answer but have a suggestion. I too have all rubber but decided to go with poly bushings for the strut rods. I felt they held up better to the small leak I have in the diff pinion. Oil swells the rubber stuff pretty bad, but not the poly. The poly bushings I bought did not need to be pressed in and were simple to install.
Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 698
Likes: 0
From: Social Circle Georgia
Sounds like you have the wrong ones. There is nothing wrong with using rubber, but they did made different sizes through the years. I don't have my books in front of me, but I believe the later ones used the larger bushings and the early cars used the smaller ones. They should press right in without too much effort. How did you get the old ones out?
EDIT: did a quick check on corvette central's website. Your bushings should be 1-3/8" diameter and the strut rod opening should be that size as well. However, the strut rods from the earlier cars will fit on the later cars and they are 1-1/4" diameter bushings. Sounds like someone may have changed something in the 31 years that car has been around
EDIT: did a quick check on corvette central's website. Your bushings should be 1-3/8" diameter and the strut rod opening should be that size as well. However, the strut rods from the earlier cars will fit on the later cars and they are 1-1/4" diameter bushings. Sounds like someone may have changed something in the 31 years that car has been around
Last edited by Speed Hound; Nov 14, 2007 at 08:45 PM.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
The holes measure 1&3/8" the bushing are 1&9/16" I realize it needs to be a tight fit, much like the T/A forward bushing. That 3/16" of over size and no funnel to slip them in there. When you try & press them in of course the bushing only expands. Almost like you need to pull them through. I was hoping that they was something else I'm not thinking of. At this point the forward T/A bushing were easy. Maybe I got the wrong size bushing? But I can see why it would be a press fit, the old ones were burned out. No sleeve in there, I checked that several times in hopes there was. I rebuilt my T/A's by the way, took a day for the first one the other side about 1/2. Like brand new. after this bushing ordeal alignment next. No body on the frame either. It too is nice. I'd send pix'rs if i knew how.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
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Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
If you said rubber...good luck..If you answered metal then 3/16 is way to much.Your bushing should look like the pic in this link.
http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?p...dept%5Fid=1842
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Thanks, they sent the wrong ones, I think I got the ones for a 1980 that why they wondered why i needed 4 and not 2. Sorry for the troubles. You've still been great and I worked through it. The Pictures from Ecklers were the answer. Thanks again, I'm sure I'll be writing again soon. I'll send pix'rs too, i got your info. Jay
