Rear Spring/Trailing Arm Rubber Cushions... GM or Aftermarket???

[James W.]

I'm at the rear suspension reassembly point on my '65 where I am ready to install the rear spring. I have both a set of four (4) GM rubber cushions bought though a GM parts outlet and an aftermarket set of rubber cushions from one of the Corvette parts vendors.

The GM cushions seem to be much softer than the aftermarket cushions. Has anyone had any negative experiences with the GM rubber cushions?


Thanks,

James

[Leif A.]

Re: Rear Spring/Trailing Arm Rubber Cushions... GM or Aftermarket???

The GM cushions are far superior to anything the other vendors are selling. I went through two sets in four years from the vendors...both sets started showing cracks. Ordered a set of four from GM dealer and they've been on there for five years and look like I installed them yesterday.

[James W.]

Re: Rear Spring/Trailing Arm Rubber Cushions... GM or Aftermarket???

Leif,

Thanks for your reply and information regarding the GM cushions. I had to send back a set of aftermarket cushions because they would not fit over the original spring cushion bolts, not even with a little silicone lube.

James

[Leif A.]

Re: Rear Spring/Trailing Arm Rubber Cushions... GM or Aftermarket???

Leif,

Thanks for your reply and information regarding the GM cushions. I had to send back a set of aftermarket cushions because they would not fit over the original spring cushion bolts, not even with a little silicone lube.

James

James,
Call your local Chevy dealership...they can order them for you if they don't have them in stock. GM #3831586

[Alan D.]

Re: Rear Spring/Trailing Arm Rubber Cushions... GM or Aftermarket???

James, the GM ones also appear to be larger once installed so save your receipts.
Got talked at by judge saying they were toooo large.

[Leif A.]

Re: Rear Spring/Trailing Arm Rubber Cushions... GM or Aftermarket???

James, the GM ones also appear to be larger once installed so save your receipts.
Got talked at by judge saying they were toooo large.

GM #3831586 pictured as installed five years ago...

[James W.]

Re: Rear Spring/Trailing Arm Rubber Cushions... GM or Aftermarket???

Leif and Alan,

Thanks for the information. I bought a set of GM cushion last fall in preparation for the reassembly and will install them tonight. I have the box, packaging, and receipt.

Thanks,

James

[Keith M.]

Re: Rear Spring/Trailing Arm Rubber Cushions... GM or Aftermarket???

James,
Call your local Chevy dealership...they can order them for you if they don't have them in stock. GM #3831586

I did. Was told this part number discontinued.

[Joe L.]

Re: Rear Spring/Trailing Arm Rubber Cushions... GM or Aftermarket???

I did. Was told this part number discontinued.

Keith-------


Yes, the GM #3831586 is discontinued. Some dealers might have some in inventory but they will not be able to obtain them from GMSPO.

[James W.]

Re: Rear Spring/Trailing Arm Rubber Cushions... GM or Aftermarket???

FYI. I found the original GM cushions P/N 3831586 at GMPartsGiant.com for $6.41/ea. I bought two more sets. Thought you all might like to know.

Thanks again for everyone's input.

James

[Keith M.]

Re: Rear Spring/Trailing Arm Rubber Cushions... GM or Aftermarket???

FYI. I found the original GM cushions P/N 3831586 at GMPartsGiant.com for $6.41/ea. I bought two more sets. Thought you all might like to know.

Thanks again for everyone's input.

James

Currently showing out of stock...fyi.

[James W.]

Re: Rear Spring/Trailing Arm Rubber Cushions... GM or Aftermarket???

Yep they are. They didn't indicate that when I placed the order, but I received an email a short time ago that my order was voided due to being out of stock with no ETA on an available date, I.E. discontinued. I was able to buy two from Van Chevrolet, just need to find two more. Was told they are available at online auction.

James

Currently showing out of stock...fyi.

[Alan D.]

Re: Rear Spring/Trailing Arm Rubber Cushions... GM or Aftermarket???

Here are some GM originals compared to LI cushions, d close enough the h are close (1.198 v 1.230) Which would lead me to believe that the LI cushion would appear bigger when installed however that was not so and told it was toooo fat.
So it may be the material.

Sorry car is on lift so can not take a picture, may lower soon to take a picture.

[James W.]

Re: Rear Spring/Trailing Arm Rubber Cushions... GM or Aftermarket???

Thanks for the pictures Alan. I installed the set of four GM cushions I bought last fall on my '65 and they look great. I found some original GM cushions on Ebay for under 10.00/ea. Will see what they look like when they arrive. I plan to replace the set on my '64 since it's been 20 years since I rebuilt the rear suspension.

James

Here are some GM originals compared to LI cushions, d close enough the h are close (1.198 v 1.230) Which would lead me to believe that the LI cushion would appear bigger when installed however that was not so and told it was toooo fat.
So it may be the material.

Sorry car is on lift so can not take a picture, may lower soon to take a picture.

[Alan D.]

Re: Rear Spring/Trailing Arm Rubber Cushions... GM or Aftermarket???

Here are the GM ones' installed. These were put in around 2009 for a Regional, lost 1 point for being too large for cups.
So after 14 years they look a little smaller now, most old timers agreed mine were correct and repo cushions are
smaller than those the day of delivery.