hello,
I have a 1991 reatta and it is making a cluncking noise going over bumps, everything looks good under the car except the subframe bushings, does anyone know where I can get replacements? This may not be the problem could be motormounts?
Anyone have any ideas? Thanks

Bill

Bill,

These can be ordered from a GM dealer. You'll need 6 bushings, plus you will almost certainly need new bolts (they get seized into the bushing from years of rust) and will also need the upper bushing washers (kind of a dished metal washer) because these are usually rusted away badly from age.

I hate to induce fear and paranoia, but it is a nasty job to replace these, I did mine a few months back and it was pretty bad. And, I don't say that lightly, because I do all my own car repairs and the time and frustration of doing this probably breaks the top 10 worst car projects I have undertaken due to everything being rusted/seized etc.

I don't have the current part # at my disposal, I will see if I can turn it up and post it here later. If you use the forum's search feature, there was a thread about it within the past 4-5 months, I believe the part # is in that thread somewhere.

Also, if your front suspension is at all questionable, I recommend doing all that at the same time while it is all torn apart.

KDirk

The cradle bushing part numbers can be found here .

If there anything that needs to be corrected or updated let me know.

Bill, I am experiencing a weird noise. Out of curiousity, how many miles do you have on your 91, and your general geographic location please so I can compare?

Nic

Ronnie,

Thanks for that. You saved me from digging through piles of dealer parts invoices. Better still, I got to avoid using the search function which we all know and love so much.

Incidentally, the long cradle mount bolts I refer to have a newer part number that supercedes the original # for the Reatta. I need to see if I can find that and pass it along to you for inclusion in the article. In fact, the upper washers may have a newer part # as well.

Ok, maybe I'll be looking through those invoices after all.

KDirk

KDrik,
Thanks for the info, yeah I know they are hard to replace I did the rear ones from a caddie I found in the junk yard but don't think they were much better than the ones I replaced. I had to use a hole drill to get one mount bolt that broke I somehow got a large washer and bolt up there and made it work. I didn't replace the front ones they look very hard to replace but gonna try. I have just replaced the front struts I thought that was causing problems, everything else looks tight.

Ronnie,
Thanks for the info on the part nrs. I called the local dealer and he said they were discontinued, I told him they were used on several other GM cars but he said they were all discontinued, will try on line to get some.

Nic,
The noise sounds like it is comming more from the pass side and is a cluncking noise. Could be subframe mounts or motor mounts? Just gonna try one thing at a time. My 91 has 175k miles and running strong.

Bill

Is the noise definitely coming from the front end?
When my rear suspension assembly encountered corrosion failure there were grinding/ clunking sounds coming from the rear end!

If it is a hobby car take your time.

Soak the threads repeatedly, on a daily basis with Kroil, Nut Buster, Liquid Wrench or a similar product and then lightly tap bolt head with a hammer, repeat this process for a few days.

Afterwards,try torquing alternating between just a degree or two CW then a degree or two CCW to see if it will break loose. Repeat soak etc if necessary until bolt breaks loose. Your wait and taking the slow approach will be rewarded.

Rush it and you may have to cut into the frame/body.

If you cannot get the bolts loose, and one of them on each side is inaccessible for spraying, there is a tool that some better body shops now have that is a magnetic heater. They can put it on the bolt and apply the heat and only heat the bolt, nothing else. My mechanic friend works for a company that also owns one of these in their body shop. They don't even need the torch. If you can't get them to loosen up, try this. If you use the gmparts direct site, they do not include the bolt anymore. I need to find one the right length still. The one I have in there now is a little shorter than the original.

May be a silly question, but does the Rivi have the exact same set up....and repair problems please?

From underneath, the Riviera, Toronado, Seville, Eldorado, and Reatta are pretty much the same.

I just put a gas tank in a Reatta that we salvaged from a Eldorado.

When new, the different divisions, "tuned" the bushings for their car. When it comes to replacement parts from GM, they usually drop the low usage part numbers and replace them with the common part number.

Thanks Barney. What I was after is if the Rivi and or other models are close or the same in design then repair of these bushings should be "commonplace", or a repair that the better body shops and frame shops should be familar with. After reading all of the horror stories on the forum, if I have an issue with the bushings ..... the car will be visiting a shop for the fix .

Nic,
Yes, the subframe on each of the models Barney listed would be escentially identical. And you're probably right, there's very likely good experience out there with bushing replacement.
Also bear in mind this is not just a "Salt Belt" issue. Corrosion certainly accelerates the deterioration but I'm pretty sure these bushings will deteriorate in the warm climates as well. Hopefully the bolts will come out a bit easier though!

Is this the part in discussion?

http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/results.cfm

GM PART # 1627359
CATEGORY: All
PACK QTY: 1
CORE CHARGE: $0.00
GM LIST: $30.93
OUR PRICE: $18.35

My 89 is making very bad clunking noises. Has anyone tried Espo Springs and Things? They list Riviera parts through '91.
http://www.espo.com/
I bought sway bar bushing kit from them quite awhile back.

Thanks Barney and Greg....I have a somewhat relieved feeling . When the time comes though, I am sure I will feel FRIGHT again when the cost is determined ....:)

While we are on the subject of bushings and clunking, I need to replace my Strut assmblies. I have a new pair in hand. Anyone have a write up?

Also, while installing the struts, are these the mounting/bushing assemblies that need to be included in the install? Anything else suggested?

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/raframec...c1019911k203035

Strut and End Link Replacement Instructions are here .

Thank you sir. I now have that site bookmarked. Never knew it existed. That thing is as good as a manual.

I'm glad you find the site useful.