65GS.com - Buick Gran Sport Enthusiasts!
General Discussion => Q & A => Topic started by: Brian on September 14, 2012, 06:25:38 AM
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I have run into a problem with a project that I never expected to run into. I cannot find any place that sells the correct front sway bar bushings for a '65-66 GS. All I can find is aftermarket polyurethane bushings that will not fit in the factory bracket (have to use the bracket that comes with them). Even Moog only has the bushings that fit the 3/4" bar that is in the regular Skylark. No one has the 15/16" diameter bushings for a GS. Anyone know of a place I can get a set? I have checked OPG, Year-One, Summit Racing, NAPA, O'Reilly, Autozone, Advance Auto, CARS inc, and Kanter Auto. Everyone says the Moog K8204 fits, but it is for the 3/4" bar.
At this point, I would even take a decent used set if someone has a pair they can part with...
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Brian,
I'm pretty sure I have some originals. I'll take a look tonight.
Mark
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Brian, is the sway bar a 15/16? I think it is the same as a 69. I found Rock auto has some.
RAYBESTOS Part # 5501000 Professional Grade; Sway Bar Frame Bushing Kit; 2 Bushings - Rubber
15/16" Sway Bar Diameter; Front To Frame
$3.48
Add Part
RAYBESTOS Part # 5501000B Service Grade; Sway Bar Frame Bushing Kit; 2 Bushings - Rubber
15/16" Sway Bar Diameter; Front To Frame
$5.00
Add Part
ACDELCO Part # 45G0500 {#88912269}
BUSHING,FRT STAB SHF -; TO FRAME, 15/16 IN SWAY BAR DIAMETER
$6.43
Add Part
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The ones you pointed out at Rock Auto have the same issue as the others I found that claimed to be correct. I.D. is correct, but they are too narrow and too tall to fit in the bracket. The correct one is shorter and wider. The first picture below is what Rock Auto and all the places I have checked (including Moog) say is correct. I actually have a set of those at home in the garage and they are way too tall and narrow. The others in the 2nd pic fit in the bracket perfectly, but the hole is only 3/4" (made for regular Skylark).
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What about Rare Parts #15311 or Moog K7096 ??? :dontknow:
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K7096 is the part number of the Moog bushing pictured in the first pic above. The Rare-parts 15311 is just like the Moog K7096, but with a smaller i.d. hole in it. Neither of them fit in the bracket. Only one I have found that fits the bracket is Moog K8204 so far, and it has a 3/4" hole in the middle. I am going to attempt to chuch them in a 4-jaw in my lathe this weekend and open the hole up to 15/16" so I can get this thing back together.
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I had the wrong ones sent to me also along with the incorrect upper ball joints .Im going to use energy suspension 9.5109G
but it is poly
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I'm looking at a 1982 Moog catalog....
64-70 Skylarks call for K-5241. Fits 15/16" and smaller.
Also used in Pontiac, Olds, even some Chryslers.
More applications here:
http://www.moog-suspension-parts.com/proddetail.asp?prod=MOOG-K5241 (http://www.moog-suspension-parts.com/proddetail.asp?prod=MOOG-K5241)
Oddly, Chevy's use a different bushing such as the K-7096, K-5227, and K-8258.
1966 Buick parts book shows 388294 for GS and some wagons.
A 1974 parts book shows that number being used 1964-74. 0.87" hole.
There are some on eBay, here's a pic:
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I am starting to think that there were variations in the brackets used at the different plants or something. I looked at some of the ones on Ebay under the GM part number that Walt listed above, and they are the tall, skinny bushing that I was given by the parts store that will not fit my brackets. This listing shows NOS bushings and brackets:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-CHEVY-CAMARO-OLDS-442-PONTIAC-FIREBIRD-T-A-FRONT-SWAY-BAR-BRACKET-BUSHING-/290703745617?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item43af4b2251&vxp=mtr (http://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-CHEVY-CAMARO-OLDS-442-PONTIAC-FIREBIRD-T-A-FRONT-SWAY-BAR-BRACKET-BUSHING-/290703745617?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item43af4b2251&vxp=mtr)
They clearly are not the same brackets that are on my car--mine just have on tab in the bottom center on each side instead of two like these brackets, and they are not as tall and are wider.
I was able this weekend to take the K8204 Moog bushings and bore the hole out larger in my lathe and use them. They fit okay for now, but I would still like to find some that fit properly. What I am doing is putting a '65 GS front bar on my '66 Skylark for improved handling. Thebushing brackets on it are identical to the ones on my '65 GS. Also added a rear sway bar/boxed control arm setup to the '66.