C2 Rear Strut Bushings

[Garry E.]

Can anyone provide some insights into the procress of replacing the rear strut bushings on my '64? Do the rear wheels need to be elevated or can they be left on the ground? Is there a special tool needed to remove the rear shock shaft from the spindle support?

Comments from anyone with experience would be appreciated....... thanks

Garry #38705

[Justin Abbott]

Re: C2 Rear Strut Bushings

Garry,
You will need to jack the back end of the car up and remove the rear wheels. Most all of the Corvette companies sell the shock mount removal tools, I know we do. I actually made my own because of how many we do. Removing the the shock mount can be difficult but you have to have some patience. You will have to remove the shock so that you do not dimple the top of it against the frame. You will also want to spray the shock mount the night before with some good penetrating oil, I use the BG. Once you have done this and the shock is off you must unbolt the mount and then thread the tool all the way on until it bottoms out, if not you will ruin the tool and your shock mount. Once it is all the way on you will need a 4lb sledge hammer and start beating it out. Once it has broken free and the tool bottoms out against the bearing support, back off the tool two turns and continue like this until the mount is flush with spindle support. You will then have to get a punch and finish it that way. You old bushing will come out with a press or you can burn them out. The new ones will also install with a press. If this is a judged car, you may want to either leave them or buy a new set because the originals did not have pressed in bushings and you can see the new ones when you look under the car.
Hope this helps.
Justin Abbott
Zip Products

[Joe R.]

Re: C2 Rear Strut Bushings

Hi Gary:

The replacement bushings sold by GM and by most of the aftermarket sellers differ from the originals. The replacements have an outer metal sleeve and have to be pressed in. The originals did not have the outer sleeve.

In 2004 I was able to get some very nice replacement bushings that are nearly identical to the originals. I got them from a company called Restoration Auto Parts (RestorParts@nuvox.net; 513-777-4387, Larry).

Not only are these parts more like the original bushings, but they can be installed by hand. You simply remove the center sleeve, push in the rubber portion, then slide in the center sleeve. I think I reused my center sleeves because they had sharper teeth on the ends than the replacements.

[Garry E.]

Re: C2 Rear Strut Bushings

Joe:

Thanks for the information..... I would prefer to use the rubber bushings w/o the metal sleeves..... One other question - is it really necessary to remove the rear wheels when installing the bushings? My car is sitting on a lift in my garage. I can raise it and gain easy access to the struts. However, with the car resting on its wheels, does it create pressure/resistance on the struts and bushings makeing them even more difficult to remove? I would like to leave the wheels on while I'm replacing the bushings..... What was your experience?

Garry

[Garry E.]

Re: C2 Rear Strut Bushings

Justin:

Thanks for the information!

Garry

[Michael W.]

Re: C2 Rear Strut Bushings

Garry,

Taking the weight off the wheels is mandatory. The purpose of the strut rods is to act as the lower arm of the rear suspension. The half shaft is the upper arm.