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Upper A-arm bump stop question

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Old Dec 26, 2012 | 10:24 PM
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Default Upper A-arm bump stop question

I am rebuilding the front suspension of my 1970 big block and want to replace the upper bump stops. The replacements that I bought are on the right and they are quite a bit bigger than the originals on the left.



Which would you use, the new ones and give up a half inch of suspension travel or the original deteriorated 42 year old ones? Anyone know if you can get correct replacements?
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Old Dec 26, 2012 | 11:25 PM
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Does your other one look as good as that one. Mine were trashed. I would clean them up with silicone and put them back in. Or, try to find the correct ones.
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Old Dec 27, 2012 | 08:22 AM
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Hi t,
It looks like 2 sizes may have been used during the 63-82 period. 63-75 and 76-82.
The originals on my 71 measure about the same as the smaller bushings in your picture. The do however have a nipple on the top, but it's much fatter than the one on the larger bushing in your picture.
Regards,
Alan
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Old Dec 27, 2012 | 11:30 AM
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Originally Posted by Lil" Red Corvette
Does your other one look as good as that one. Mine were trashed. I would clean them up with silicone and put them back in. Or, try to find the correct ones.
The other one looks the same. The surface has a rough pitted texture but they otherwise seem good. I'll clean them up like you suggest and use them since I don't want to mess up the travel. I guess if yours are trashed you don't have much choice but to use the larger replacements.
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Old Dec 27, 2012 | 11:39 AM
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Originally Posted by Alan 71
Hi t,
It looks like 2 sizes may have been used during the 63-82 period. 63-75 and 76-82.
The originals on my 71 measure about the same as the smaller bushings in your picture. The do however have a nipple on the top, but it's much fatter than the one on the larger bushing in your picture.
Regards,
Alan
Hi Alan,
So the C2 and early C3 ones are smaller. The suppliers all seem to have universal 63-82 replacements. The nipples on top of mine are long gone since there are minor scuff marks indicating that these have seen action in the past.

Do you think the nipple is big enough to actually cushion the suspension if the A-arm comes into contact?

Thanks, Tom
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Old Dec 27, 2012 | 12:02 PM
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Yes Sir; How about a razor blade, & cut the new ones down to size. That way, the rubber will be alive. No one will ever really see them. Happy New Year to you all. Gene
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Old Dec 27, 2012 | 12:11 PM
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Hi Tom,
While the nipples on my originals are quite large they're still way to small to have any effect on the amount of movement of the control arm.
I wonder/think the nipple is a remnant of the manufacturing process.
Regards,
Alan
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