72 rear bumper bracket bushing/spacer?

[Ken C.]

Just got done taking about the rear bumper/brackets of my june built 72. On the outer bracket that goes to the bolt at the front of rear bumper. (under turn single) I have whats left of a rubber bushing/spacer.
I found a part # in AIM. #6263571.
Is this part available? I noticed a space between the bracket and body/bumper. The rubber kind of turn to dust when i took it out. Also was there a metal sleeve in the rubber as its rusty in there.

[Alan S.]

Re: 72 rear bumper bracket bushing/spacer?

Hi Ken,
I'm surprised where you found that bushing.
I thought the bushing had been added to the SIDE bumper mount when the brace from the frame to that mount was added in 72(?).
Did you see signs of it on any other bumper mounts?
Were there other changes to the bumper mounting system in m.y. '72 that would have required the bushings elsewhere?
Sorry no help!
Regards,
Alan

[Ken C.]

Re: 72 rear bumper bracket bushing/spacer?

Alan, from what i gather from the AIM manual. It says revision 1/26/72. I took the other side out and found that one was in better condition, and it did have a metal sleeve in the bushing. I can now at least fabricate one close to original.

[Tom L.]

Re: 72 rear bumper bracket bushing/spacer?

Based on what you guys are saying, an Oct. build '72 wouldn't have the bushings, correct. Mine didn't and wasn't sure if they should be there.

[Terry M.]

[Kurt G.]

Re: 72 rear bumper bracket bushing/spacer?

Terry and all,

I have a Sept. 13, 1971 built '72 and just re-did the bumper braces. No shims or rubber cushions on the braces anywhere, including the brace on the outer support bracket added for '72. The AIM shows it, but on my until last week untouched car there were no rubber spacers as called out in the AIM.

[Alan S.]

Re: 72 rear bumper bracket bushing/spacer?

Hi Ken,
To be candid my reply was really get you off page 3 and back to the top of page 1 for some new looks. It worked AND some interesting information's been posted!
WINNER!
Regards,
Alan

[Keith L.]

Re: 72 rear bumper bracket bushing/spacer?

My august of 71 built 72 has no cushions either.

[Alan S.]

Re: 72 rear bumper bracket bushing/spacer?

Hi,
Ken e-mailed me 2 pictures of the bushing and asked that I post them for him. Nice pictures Ken!
Regards,
Alan

[Harmon C.]

Re: 72 rear bumper bracket bushing/spacer?

All 73's had the bushing in the picture. It's easy to believe that a late 72 has the bushing as a running change.

[James B.]

Re: 72 rear bumper bracket bushing/spacer?

My January, 1972 built '72 does not have the cushions.

[Edward J.]

Re: 72 rear bumper bracket bushing/spacer?

My APR. 72 car does have them but the rubbers are gone.

[Larry M.]

Re: 72 rear bumper bracket bushing/spacer?

How easily (or not) will these bushings fall out when the bumper is removed? They were not on my January-built 1972 when I replaced the bumpers long ago; but I know for a fact that the bumpers had been removed and reinstalled by a previous owner, and I wonder if the bushings would have been removed and discarded at that time.

Larry

Looking a little further, I see the AIM date for the bushing is 1/26; my car was built 1/20, so I suppose I shouldn't expect to see it. I see the bushing listed in group 7.865 for 1972 and 1973 cars.

[Wes G.]

Re: 72 rear bumper bracket bushing/spacer?

My '72 (Production Date: Oct1/71) does not have the bushings (GM # 6263571). But it does have the outer support rods (GM # 3996869-70) bolted in place with the other end unattached leaning against the inner rear fender. The rear side bumper also has a welded nut at that location to receive a bolt from the support rod. Interesting that everything was in place to install the bushings but no hole or bushings.

I have a couple of questions regarding the bushings:
1. Can anyone give me the thickness of the bushings?
2. Were the bushings inserted within the hole of the fender or were they installed on the outer/inner service of the fender?
Thanks
Wes

[Edward J.]

Re: 72 rear bumper bracket bushing/spacer?

Wes the pic. above posted by Alan shows the bushing the flat side just inserts into the fiberglass, this keeps from over torqueing, the bumper and breaking the fiber glass. The bushings were brass or bronze. I am sure that you can Fab something.It just has to be slightly thicker that the fiber glass.