Just happened to notice it when looking at something else. No warning, no driving or steering funny. Rear bolt and washer gone, front bolt and bushing is sticking out about a inch. Lucky me...now to find a shop

 

 

<<<did you notice one of them following you home?

 

So put the bolts and hardware back in and tighten it up. Why do you need to "find a shop?" You need a bolt, a washer, a ratchet, and a socket. Completely normal antique auto repair. Happens every day - just fix it.

 

Well said Lars.

 

That's terrifying, good reminder for periodic visual inspections. I do it every oil change.

 

Mine did that this year also, if the rubber bushing is gone you can install a poly... see my link...

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...d-missing.html

Good luck

60

 

oh man, I thought the bushing had to be pressed in? So.i can pound the front bolt and bushing back in, get a bolt, washer and replacement bushing on the back and just run it on? Hmmm

 

I completely re-assembled all of the suspension components on my 68. I was concerned I may have neglected to properly torque up some of the bolts. When I had Guldstrand's Motorshop do the alignment, I paid them to check the torque on all of the suspension fittings. Re-assembling things, I've got in the habit of not immediately fully torqueing up fasteners,since I often find I have to loosen up an assembled part to install something else. Save fully torqueing until the last, hence sometimes forget to torque something.

 

So, this can be fixed on the car? Do I get a bushing and grind the outside off so that I can just use the rubber part, jack under the arm, insert the rubber and bolt it up? What size bolt, do you know? I just want to be sure this doesn't involve removing the arm. Thanks

 

Mine did the same a couple of weeks back. Sadly, it was the second time. The first time was about 5 years ago. I thought I had it covered by going through torque on each bolt to spec. That didn't do it.

I was driving down the road and hit the brakes semi-hard. Heard a pop and then saw the bolt and retainer rolling down the road after me. I never found the bushing. I later found the other side loose too.

I learned my lesson. Mine were urethane. You will read a bit about people losing these. I cleaned out the threads with brake cleaner and used Loctite 242 on the bolts this time. We will see if it holds, but I know I will be checking more frequently.

It is unlikely that you lost the bushing if it was rubber and in good condition. If it is still there you can buy a set of retainers and bolts from the Corvette supply houses.

The urethane bushing can be replaced independently of the shells. If you had urethane prior it may have come out with the bolt. You can buy new urethane bushings and take one out of the shell to put it in on the car. You will need to take the load off the wheels and center the shaft as much as you can in the control arm before pushing the bushing in.

I wouldn't mix and match rubber and urethane except in a pinch or on a temporary basis.

 

A light just came on. As shiny and clean as the inside of what's left is means I bet it was a poly bushing. That might be the one replaced many years ago by Otis. So, as the others all look rubber, I need to replace with rubber, which prefer for the reason you state and others have said. Thanks Vette!