I am in the process of replacing all my body mounts. Every bolt came loose except for one up front but I got it out with some heat plus was able to save the square nut. So now I have one side on wooden blocks and was able to get the bushings out. How many sandwiched bushings are there that have no bolt? I thought it's only the one above the rear axle. the one in front of the rear axle is not bolted to the body but the body does have a nut and the frame has an opening where you could put one in. Car is a 71 GS455 and all look like they are the factory bushings with part numbers on them Any input? Benny
Yes, Buick did not put the lower part of the bushing and bolt in that mount. I think they thought the ride might be a bit smoother.Evevyone I know including me have put the bolt in that mount when replacing body mounts. Hope this helps. Tim
One above the rear wheel and one in front of rear wheel do not have bolts. All others are bolted in. This is a 71 below, but similar.
I just changed them in my '64. The ones over the axle, and the ones in front of the wheel wells were just the bumpers with no bolts. All 4 locations had the cage nuts from the factory, so I used regular body mounts with bolts. Haven't got to drive it yet so I don't know how much difference it will make yet. I ran a thread tap through all of the nuts with PB Blaster and installed new bolts. Made the bolts easy to install, could turn them in with a socket with fingers.
I'm curious as to how much new mounts improve ride smoothness. Thought about it for the Electra as the ones I've seen in my crawling under the car look pretty dried out and rigid. However having had to pretty much cut off any bolt replaced under the car it's not a job I relish. Is the gain worth the pain? Cheers Bob
Benny - what body mounts are you using? ie: where did you buy them? Was it a kit? A link would be nice. Thanks!
When I changed mine, it didn't affect the smoothness of the ride so much, but it eliminated a lot of rattles and changed my steering from scary, sloppy, and all over the road to tight like a rack and pinion. It is surprising how much the body shifting on the mounts affects your steering. I used these: https://www.ebay.com/itm/68-72-Chev...=39211250147605bb5a6dfa254f8c90fc5e423c16c512
I bought them from Summit and I think it is a kit for convertibles that has extra bushings. I have not installed them yet but I will update with pictures once they're in. Hope they fit. The worst ones were the twins up front...bolts were heavily corroded and on of them snapped. Had to weld the square nut on. the heat from welding broke the bolt lose and I could turn them out with one hand on the ratchet. The other bolts do look reusable with no rust on the thread end. But I will replace them. This is one of the front mounts:
I am wondering if anyone has an explanation for the lack of bolts. My theory is that it allows the frame to flex a bit under the body without flexing the body with it. wich may probably smooth it a bit. What was used on Oldsmobiles or Chevys?
I am dissapointed by the kit...put them in on the right side but going to throw them out again...when tightening only the lower part bulges...seems way to soft. i have core support bushings from CARS and they look close to the stock ones...may go with CARS parts or the kit from ground up SS396 wich also has nice bolts other than the generic crap that was with the kit...will update
There has been lots of discussion and threads over the years. The best mounts are BM644, BM644A and the ones from inline for Pontiac or Olds. Don t get the chevy mounts without the molded in washer. They squish too much and are unsafe. Bolts: Source for correct body bushing BOLTS. http://www.v8buick.com/index.php?threads/source-for-correct-body-bushing-bolts.307645/#post-2558786 http://www.v8buick.com/index.php?threads/body-bushings.323100/#post-2699657 http://www.v8buick.com/index.php?threads/body-bushings.326483/#post-2801356
Just curious, got my new project a week ago, been stripping her down. Noticed the body mounts are dried up, is there a thread somewhere in how to replace them? This is my first go around with body mounts.
Is replacing these doable on a complete running car. Other than disconnecting incidentals and removing bumpers. Can front clip stay attached? Thank you.
I did mine, complete running driving car, and left front clip in tact. I removed the bumpers. Also unbolted the steering box from the frame and rag joint, and hung it with wire.
These are my originals with a New cars BM-644A. You can see the rubber plug cushion has incased metal ring. . .
The assembly manual is showing a different number bolt for under the door. It's slightly shorter IIRC. It is also showing a different mount for under the door, it's the "deep dish" mount sold at the Pontiac and olds vendors. I don't think the "Chevrolet" molded-in cushions are exactly correct, even thought they have been marketed as concours.
I used the kit that Todd Miller sells, his website is stage1restoration.com. Complete bushing and hardware kit. Excellent kit
This is one of the kits I have at this time. (I may add another kit identical to his but with the Inline Tube or FUSIK body bushings) This kit provides the 2) different size Body Bolts (NOT HARDWARE STORE BOLTS)!!! (AMK) Correct Size Washers are also included. (AMK) TPP Body Bushings 2) Extra Body Bolt NUTS Core Support Bushing Kit and AMK bolts to replace the Hardware Store bolts they typically come with. And a GM Schematic to follow. . . .
Are those the ones with the Chevrolet inprint and no molded in washers? After searching the whole forum the general conclusion is that the CARS mounts are closest to original. I have a set for the core support and they are exactly the size of the stock ones. Cannot speak for the Inline Tube ones Maybe you should consider the CARS ones and make a kit with flanged bolts? I noticed noone reproduced the most rearward mounts as they are smaller than the others...I always wonder why someone is reproing a part and doesnt get it right...
