NOS sway bar link bushing (3776824) that they could measure the thickness of?

[Richard G.]

Does anyone have a NOS sway bar link bushing (3776824) that they could measure the thickness of?
Pictured below is the thickness of the Moog bushings.



I am having difficulty getting the top retaining nut onto the bolt.
The only thing it can be is the bushing thickness.
I just need to prove it.
It also seems like the durometer might be different than the stock bushings.
Because they are so hard it is difficult to compress them enough to start the nut.
Don't really care about the durometer I just would like to assemble the links onto the car.
I am hoping I can cut them down on a lathe if I need to.
I also have an additional set arriving in the mail in the next couple days to see if they fit any better.
Rick

[Joe L.]

Re: NOS sway bar link bushing (3776824) that they could measure the thickness of?

Does anyone have a NOS sway bar link bushing (3776824) that they could measure the thickness of?
Pictured below is the thickness of the Moog bushings.



I am having difficulty getting the top retaining nut onto the bolt.
The only thing it can be is the bushing thickness.
I just need to prove it.
It also seems like the durometer might be different than the stock bushings.
Because they are so hard it is difficult to compress them enough to start the nut.
Don't really care about the durometer I just would like to assemble the links onto the car.
I am hoping I can cut them down on a lathe if I need to.
I also have an additional set arriving in the mail in the next couple days to see if they fit any better.
Rick

Rick------


You'll have a difficult time finding anyone with NOS examples of the GM #3776824 grommets. That part number was never available in SERVICE. So, by definition, no NOS examples could exist. Apparently, this was a PRODUCTION-only part number and used only for 1963-64. Different part numbers were used in later PRODUCTION (1965+) and all SERVICE (from 1963). These included GM #1194162, GM #381957, GM #6264018, and GM #6270752. The latter remains available from GM.

[Richard G.]

Re: NOS sway bar link bushing (3776824) that they could measure the thickness of?

I found I had a GM bushing set in the archives.
I don't believe the kit was a service kit for a Corvette but am confident the bushing were the correct ones.
The bushings in the kit were much softer than the Moog bushing I received from the vendor.
I was able to squish them enough to get the nut started.
It explains why the bolt that was included was longer than stock.

Moog bushing is on the Left side in the picture.





Another issue solved using all GM parts.
Imagine that!
Rick

[Joe L.]

Re: NOS sway bar link bushing (3776824) that they could measure the thickness of?

I found I had a GM bushing set in the archives.
I don't believe the kit was a service kit for a Corvette but am confident the bushing were the correct ones.
The bushings in the kit were much softer than the Moog bushing I received from the vendor.
I was able to squish them enough to get the nut started.
It explains why the bolt that was included was longer than stock.

Moog bushing is on the Left side in the picture.





Another issue solved using all GM parts.
Imagine that!
Rick

Rick-------

The original GM #3776824 grommets did not have the short extension on one side as do all of the GM replacements, the grommets in your GM #461467 kits (which are almost certainly GM #381957) and the Moog replacements you have. So, the GM #3776824 grommets were specifically designed for the stabilizer bar link application.

For SERVICE GMSPO must have decided that they wanted to use a "dual use" grommet. So, the SERVICE grommets, used for both the stabilizer bar link and shock absorber upper grommet for many GM applications (including 63-64 Corvette), had the short extension. This extension was included for the shock absorber application in order to center it in the orifice in the upper shock tower bracket. Beginning in 1964, GM even used the grommets with the extensions in PRODUCTION for the stabilizer link application although the extensions were superfluous for this application.

So, you could have used the Moog grommets you had by simply tr imming off the extensions. This is very easy to do with a razor blade or Exacto knife. In doing so you would have created a grommet of the original 3776824 configuration, not that that would have been discernable subsequent to installation. It would have solved your installation problem, though. The increased durometer of the Moog grommets would not have been a problem and might even have had a performance benefit.

[Richard G.]

Re: NOS sway bar link bushing (3776824) that they could measure the thickness of?

Joe;
Thanks for the input.
I always learn something from others input on my posts.
Even if it's how little I know!.
I kept the bushings that I removed.
I had doubts they were original.
Now I have a way to know for sure.
Thanks again and much appreciated.
Rick