C-2 strut rod bushing help needed

[Philip A.]

I am attempting to replace the strut rod bushings on my 1965 (no success). It is the small strut rod and I purchased 4 of the correct smaller size bushings. The strut rod ends have a metal sleeve in each end (is this correct?). If I remove the metal sleeve from the ends, the bushings seem to fit too loose. I am following the provided instructions: insert rubber bushing on each side (which is very tight) then insert center metal tube (also very tight), but the opposite side rubber bushing then gets pushed out and extremely distorted. I have ruined one bushing so far. What is the technique/trick to do this successfully?
Thanks
Phil

[Joe L.]

Re: C-2 strut rod bushing help needed

I am attempting to replace the strut rod bushings on my 1965 (no success). It is the small strut rod and I purchased 4 of the correct smaller size bushings. The strut rod ends have a metal sleeve in each end (is this correct?). If I remove the metal sleeve from the ends, the bushings seem to fit too loose. I am following the provided instructions: insert rubber bushing on each side (which is very tight) then insert center metal tube (also very tight), but the opposite side rubber bushing then gets pushed out and extremely distorted. I have ruined one bushing so far. What is the technique/trick to do this successfully?
Thanks
Phil

Phil------


The original bushings were vulcanized in place and used no metal outer shell. If your strut rods currently have bushings with an outer metal shell, then these have been previously replaced.

You need to remove any remnants of the bushing as well as any metal sleeve. Then, the new bushings with metal sleeve can be pressed in. If you have the type of replacement bushings without an outer metal sleeve, I do not recommend that you use them. Use only the type with a metal outer sleeve.

Some of the replacement bushings with the outer metal sleeve are reported to be "off-spec" and fit too loosely in the strut rod ends. The bushings with the sleeves should be an interference fit in the orifices. If yours are not, return them and obtain proper fitting bushings.

[Philip A.]

Re: C-2 strut rod bushing help needed

Joe L.
THANK YOU! The replacement bushings have no outer metal sleeve. Any recommendation where I can get proper (with the outer metal sleeve) quality bushings?
Phil

[Joe L.]

Re: C-2 strut rod bushing help needed

Joe L.
THANK YOU! The replacement bushings have no outer metal sleeve. Any recommendation where I can get proper (with the outer metal sleeve) quality bushings?
Phil

Phil------

You can still get the bushings from GM under GM #3775762 but they're kind of expensive at about 27 bucks, GM list, per each. Most of the Corvette vendors like Dr. Rebuild, Corvette Central, Paragon, etc. carry these bushings and I believe they all, including GM, come from the same manufacturing sources, Clevite or Harris.