C1 rear spring "special bolt"

[Al C.]

I need replacements for the large "cylinder-headed" bolts that hold the rear spring leafs together (and, holds the axle housing from torquing). I've looked in about 5 catalogs, and don't find this part. Suggestions?
(Seeing how the rear is assembled makes me wonder how it was that my original '58 needed to have the spring mounting plates welded to the banjo housing because the housing was rotating...)
... Al '58 #378 245hp NCRS SACC

[Joe L.]

Re: C1 rear spring "special bolt"

Al------

Spring center bolts with the "barrel head" are available from GM under GM #3723010. Current list price is $7.90/each.

[John H.]

Re: C1 rear spring "special bolt"

Al -

The spring perches were welded to the axle tube on all C1's; that's what sets (and holds) the pinion angle.

[Al C.]

Re: C1 rear spring "special bolt"

Oh, so maybe it was the "spring perches" that broke loose...
It was one of the cheapest auto repairs I ever made, at $2 in an old-time welding shop - Chevy dealer wanted to sell me a whole new banjo assy for $$$ - this was in '62 or so.
... Al '58 #378 245hp NCRS SACC

[Al C.]

Re: C1 rear spring "special bolt"

Local Chevy dealer wants $10.75 EACH for these bolts.
I discovered "ChevyDuty.com" in Kansas City (parts for 1947-54 Chevy pickup trucks) where the bolts are $2 each!
A few other parts appear interchangeable too, such as the fuel tank gasket at $1 vs $3 to $4 at Vette houses. Worth a look guys!

... Al '58 #378 245hp NCRS SACC

[Joe L.]

Re: C1 rear spring "special bolt"

Al------

Your local Chevy dealer is nailing you with his "parts price escalator program". This is a "feature" of the computerized pricing system which allows the parts department to "escalate" the price of parts on a pre-programmmed, "sliding scale". So, if you go in and buy a part which GM lists for, say, $1, it might double the price to $2. A $2 GM list price part might increase by 50% to $3, and so on. Usually, though, parts which are $100, or more, will price out at the true GM list price.

Be aware that when purchasing parts the terms "list price" and "wholesale" or "net" really have no "standardized" meaning. The "list" price is the DEALER'S list price, not necessarily the GM list price. The "wholesale" or "net" price may be a percentage off the DEALER'S list price. Depending upon the DEALER'S list price, the "wholesale" price may be more than GM list price.

There's really a good and understandable reason for the "pre-programmed parts price escalator program", though: in the high-cost world of today's automotive dealership operations, the dealers just figure that it's not even worth the counterman's time to sell a low-buck part, even for GM list. On a part which the GM list is $1, the dealer's gross profit amounts to 50 cents. That's not going to pay the bills, especially in high-cost urban areas of the country.

[Al C.]

Re: C1 rear spring "special bolt"

Joe-
I do understand and appreciate the economics of it. And I might have gone for 10.75 on the first one, if the second one was at a reasonable price - I'll probably have to pay some shipping wherever I get parts.
BUT, this being Valentine's day, that extra close-to-twenty-bucks will go a long way toward a treat for the Missus!
regards, ...Al

[Joe L.]

Re: C1 rear spring "special bolt"

Al------

I totally understand. I was just explaining the rationale behind the "escalator" pricing. While I completely understand the reason for it and sympathize, I don't usually purchase parts from dealers that hit me with that, either. I mean understanding the reason for it and sympathizing doesn't equate to paying it. Only a fool would do that if he could do better. That's the nature of our free market system.