Strut rod bushings
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,727
Likes: 38
From: Fremont CA
Re: Strut rod bushings (Brent Brooking)
What year is your car? Up until 1972 the strut rod ends were small and the replacement strut rods are all the later "large" style. Paragon now has the correct early stle if you are a NCRS purist. I run stock strut rods on my LT-1 and run them hard at the autocross races. The replacement bushings make them LESS compliant than the Vette Brakes urethane strut rods. Believe it or NOT!
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,312
Likes: 70
From: Clearwater FL
Re: Strut rod bushings (Brent Brooking)
Actuall the small diameter bushings were in the 63-74 years some 74 had large diameter bushings. Someone could have changed yours before. They are all the same length from 63-79
Racer
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 399
Likes: 0
From: Haslet,Texas
Re: Strut rod bushings (Brent Brooking)
That's really odd, because I had the exact same problem. I ordered strut rod bushings for what was supposed to fit up to a '74. When I went to install the bushings, they were too small. I sent them back and got the bushings that were supposed to be from '75 to '82, and they fit fine. Go figure. :confused:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 6,134
Likes: 46
From: Raleigh North Carolina
Re: Strut rod bushings (73'Vette)
==> Actuall the small diameter bushings were in the 63-74 years some 74 had large diameter bushings. Someone could have changed yours before. They are all the same length from 63-79
I agree... if the correct ones for the year car you have do not fit, then the rods were switched out by another owner.
Happens every day.... sometimes twice.
I agree... if the correct ones for the year car you have do not fit, then the rods were switched out by another owner.
Happens every day.... sometimes twice.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 188
Likes: 0
From: La porte Texas
Re: Strut rod bushings (Brent Brooking)
I guess you could call this sucking up, but I haven't been a member all that long and it seems there is so many of you guys ready and willing to help on just about anything . THANKS!! Brent
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 6,134
Likes: 46
From: Raleigh North Carolina
Re: Strut rod bushings (goofygrin)
RE: diameter question- GM is known for mid-stream production changes....
I have a hard copy of the original GM parts catalogs given to me by a GM Dealer who let me look up and order Corvette parts.... I ordered so many parts that they got tired of sifting through the numbers for me.
I can check the cat to see which part numbers were used in which years.
The NCRS site might provide some insight into the question as well.
Point is... there were different diameters, and when you order, it's a good idea to check which ones you have ahead of time.
I have a hard copy of the original GM parts catalogs given to me by a GM Dealer who let me look up and order Corvette parts.... I ordered so many parts that they got tired of sifting through the numbers for me.
I can check the cat to see which part numbers were used in which years.
The NCRS site might provide some insight into the question as well.
Point is... there were different diameters, and when you order, it's a good idea to check which ones you have ahead of time.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 6,134
Likes: 46
From: Raleigh North Carolina
Re: Strut rod bushings (Tom454)
Okay... according to the actual GM parts catalog which I have in front of me...
There is only one bushing listed:
group 5.147, BUSHING-CAM-CAP, REAR AXLE
63-74, bushing, RR WHL, SPDL SUPT STRUT, part number 3775762
The 1963-79 REAR SUSPENSION exploded view is in group 7, view #V7-3
Strut is view item #95, referred to group 5.415
The bushings are not listed separately in this view, just the bushing "caps" #348390.
Here are the original official GM part numbers for the strut rod assemblies:
group 5.415, ROD-STRUT, REAR AXLE TIE
80-82, ROD, RR WHL SPDL, #14010399
63-74, STRUT, RR WHL SPDL SUPT, #3819205
75-79, STRUT, RR WHL SPDL SUPT, #459076
Looking back on it, now I remember why I had to order new ones from Greenwood who was the only vendor at that time who supplied replacement strut rod busings.
The view for 1980-82 (V7-21) has the strut (item #88) as group 5.415 as well, but view item #87 is described as a "bushing" (in group 6.170) unlike the 63-79 view...
Fast forward to group 6.170 for kicks... and it lists only bushings / retainers etc for the front A-Frames (steering knuckle lower control arm).
So... the old original GM cat, it appears, did not list replacement bushings for the struts.... you were supposed to buy the entire strut (group 5.415 per above) if the bushing failed.
There is only one bushing listed:
group 5.147, BUSHING-CAM-CAP, REAR AXLE
63-74, bushing, RR WHL, SPDL SUPT STRUT, part number 3775762
The 1963-79 REAR SUSPENSION exploded view is in group 7, view #V7-3
Strut is view item #95, referred to group 5.415
The bushings are not listed separately in this view, just the bushing "caps" #348390.
Here are the original official GM part numbers for the strut rod assemblies:
group 5.415, ROD-STRUT, REAR AXLE TIE
80-82, ROD, RR WHL SPDL, #14010399
63-74, STRUT, RR WHL SPDL SUPT, #3819205
75-79, STRUT, RR WHL SPDL SUPT, #459076
Looking back on it, now I remember why I had to order new ones from Greenwood who was the only vendor at that time who supplied replacement strut rod busings.
The view for 1980-82 (V7-21) has the strut (item #88) as group 5.415 as well, but view item #87 is described as a "bushing" (in group 6.170) unlike the 63-79 view...
Fast forward to group 6.170 for kicks... and it lists only bushings / retainers etc for the front A-Frames (steering knuckle lower control arm).
So... the old original GM cat, it appears, did not list replacement bushings for the struts.... you were supposed to buy the entire strut (group 5.415 per above) if the bushing failed.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 6,134
Likes: 46
From: Raleigh North Carolina
Re: Strut rod bushings (Tom454)
Brent... ha.... people keep telling me that here on the forum... I think I'm starting to believe it myself! :jester
I'm taking a break from the grease today to learn "Put Down The Ducky" (if you wanna play the saxophone)... Sesame Street.... so I can play/sing it for a fellow C3 Vette owners 7 yr old. We've decided it's our favorite song. :crazy:
I'm taking a break from the grease today to learn "Put Down The Ducky" (if you wanna play the saxophone)... Sesame Street.... so I can play/sing it for a fellow C3 Vette owners 7 yr old. We've decided it's our favorite song. :crazy:
