Strut rod bushings

[Tom L.]

Was under the car this week and saw that the rubber has squeezed out on all 4 of them. Several years ago I replaced them with repro press in rubber bushings so they are not old. Before I replace them again, am I doing something wrong? Is there a higher quality bushing (not poly) available? Just seems like they should last longer than this. Thanks!!

[Joe L.]

Re: Strut rod bushngs

Was under the car this week and saw that the rubber has squeezed out on all 4 of them. Several years ago I replaced them with repro press in rubber bushings so they are not old. Before I replace them again, am I doing something wrong? Is there a higher quality bushing (not poly) available? Just seems like they should last longer than this. Thanks!!

Tom------


If you used the press-in all-rubber bushings, I do not recommend those, at all. I recommend using the GM replacement bushings with outer steel shell. GM #3775762 if you have original strut rods. Aftermarket equivalents are also available.

[Tom L.]

Re: Strut rod bushngs

Wasn't so clear Joe, I used the ones with the steel outer sleeve. Are the GM replacements available? Also, do you know if the corvette supply houses just re-package the GM parts or if there's a quality difference between the GM ones and the ones the corvette supply houses sell.

[Larry M.]

Re: Strut rod bushngs

Tom:

Has your car been on its tires the entire time, or has the rear suspension been allow to hang?? If the latter, this places a lot of stress on these bushings (among other things).

That could account for the deterioration.

Larry

[Tom L.]

Re: Strut rod bushngs

I don't store the car in the air. The only long stretches of time it has been off the ground are for winter projects. The last loooong one was when I went through the rear suspension. I'm happy to say I drive it as much as I can as long as the salt is off the road up here. So taking it off the ground makes my winter rides more difficult : )

[Joe L.]

Re: Strut rod bushngs

Wasn't so clear Joe, I used the ones with the steel outer sleeve. Are the GM replacements available? Also, do you know if the corvette supply houses just re-package the GM parts or if there's a quality difference between the GM ones and the ones the corvette supply houses sell.

Tom------


The GM replacements are available but they are a bit pricey. However, I'm sure GM does not manufacture these bushings. They obtain them from an outside supplier. Does the aftermarket obtain them from the same manufacturer and, if they do, are the bushings the same as the ones manufactured for GM? That I do not know.

[Joe L.]

Re: Strut rod bushngs

Tom-------


Here's another tip: the strut rod bushings in my original owner 1969 began to show rubber deterioration and "squeeze out" in relatively short order. In about 1972 or 72, prompted by tire wear issues, I took the car to the dealer for a front and rear alignment. The service manager called me after I dropped the car off and told me that they could not get the rear camber into spec and, the only way they could do it was to bend the strut rods (i.e. to effectively shorten them). He told me this was standard procedure for Corvettes and they had done this often. I was reluctant to approve this but being somewhat of a "greenhorn" at the time, I told them to go ahead. At the time, I was not savvy enough to know that the proper solution was to replace the strut rod bushings.

For a few years, those bent strut rods really bothered me. Whenever I looked under the car I just cringed. Finally, I decided I was going to replace them. However, by that time the original strut rods with 1-1/4" bushings had been discontinued by GM and replaced with the 75+ style with 1-3/8" bushings. I purchased the latter. Those strut rods remained on my car for 75,000+ miles. The bushings never deteriorated, at all. There was no rubber "squeeze out". The centers remained centered in the bushing. The rear camber adjustment remained rock solid. I finally removed them from the car in perfect condition in order to replace them with re-bushed, original style rods (yes, I know; probably a very dumb thing to do).

The way I figure it, GM did not replace the 1-1/4" bushing rods with the 1-3/8" bushing rods because the 1-1/4" rods worked just as well. They had some reason for doing it and, based upon my experience, I think I discovered the reason. Presumably, there's a lesson in this for others.

[Joe R.]

Re: Strut rod bushngs

The replacements, large or small list for $12.00 each.

Available from all the warehouse sellers.

JR

[Patrick H.]

Re: Strut rod bushngs

The only poly bushings I have installed on a Corvette - or would ever install - are the small end strut rod bushings. It's the only way I have found to "guarantee" that they don't mushroom out in short order.

Your experience may vary, of course.

[Tom L.]

Re: Strut rod bushngs

Based on the responses it seems that later large strut rods bushings work out better. I'm considering getting a set. Patrick, have you used the poly bushings on any of your cars? Is there a ride quality issue? (Yes, I know these old cars don't ride so smooth)

[Patrick H.]

Re: Strut rod bushngs

Based on the responses it seems that later large strut rods bushings work out better. I'm considering getting a set. Patrick, have you used the poly bushings on any of your cars? Is there a ride quality issue? (Yes, I know these old cars don't ride so smooth)

Yes, I have used the poly bushings on a couple of cars. Since the strut rods really have nothing to do with the ride quality, it doesn't effect it at all.