C2: rear spring "cup" retainers

[Gary B.]

Hi,

Can anyone tell me if GM part # 3910701 is the metal cup-like retainer that get swaged into the ends of the rear spring main leaf (and T-arms) to retain the rubber cushions? The original part number from the 66 AIM is 3831588, so I'm wondering if GM discontinued the original part and replaced it with 3910701.

Gary

[Rob A.]

Re: C2: rear spring "cup" retainers

I'm not sure of the part#, however, it was originally bare steel, as opposed to plated as the reproductions are.

[John Daly]

Re: C2: rear spring "cup" retainers

Gary,
Yes this is the replacement part. The drawing I saw for this part has a note "similar to 3831588". The difference between the two appears to be the overall height of the retainer. The new part had the swaged collar height raised 0.040"
Every other feature is the same. The finish is plain steel type 1008 or 1010.
Looks like it was changed in 1977. Hope this helps.
john

[Peter L.]

Re: C2: rear spring "cup" retainers

gary - The replacement is functionally fine but the height difference is visually detectable. You might want to consider saving and using your original ones. Pete