Stuart57 Posted January 2, 2020 Share Posted January 2, 2020 Hi , there is a clunk sound when I move the rear of the car side to side. No noise up and down, may be the bushes ? Any suggestions ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Cannon Posted January 2, 2020 Share Posted January 2, 2020 It is the track bar bushings. A common problem on the 1st gen. Riv due to age and original bushing design. Easy to get new bushings (a set for about $25) that you can put in yourself. Get the polygraphite ones from P-S-T: https://p-s-t.com/i-23160475-polygraphite-rear-track-bar-bushing-set.html I don't know why they do not have the '63 or '64 Riviera listed as fitting; they do. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuart57 Posted January 2, 2020 Author Share Posted January 2, 2020 1 hour ago, Jim Cannon said: It is the track bar bushings. A common problem on the 1st gen. Riv due to age and original bushing design. Easy to get new bushings (a set for about $25) that you can put in yourself. Get the polygraphite ones from P-S-T: https://p-s-t.com/i-23160475-polygraphite-rear-track-bar-bushing-set.html I don't know why they do not have the '63 or '64 Riviera listed as fitting; they do. Thanks Jim, I'll check out the postage to Australia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuart57 Posted January 2, 2020 Author Share Posted January 2, 2020 Jim do I need two sets ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Cannon Posted January 2, 2020 Share Posted January 2, 2020 4 hours ago, Stuart57 said: Jim do I need two sets ? No, one set does the one track bar. This bar runs left-right between rear axel and chassis. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
first64riv Posted January 2, 2020 Share Posted January 2, 2020 6 hours ago, Stuart57 said: Thanks Jim, I'll check out the postage to Australia If you're in Australia, then check ebay as well. You may find a set more local to you. Chris 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1965rivgs Posted January 2, 2020 Share Posted January 2, 2020 There are also rubber versions available Tom Mooney 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuart57 Posted January 2, 2020 Author Share Posted January 2, 2020 8 hours ago, Jim Cannon said: No, one set does the one track bar. This bar runs left-right between rear axel and chassis. I see now , just had a look under car, makes sense , thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbinator Posted January 3, 2020 Share Posted January 3, 2020 On 1/2/2020 at 10:31 AM, 1965rivgs said: There are also rubber versions available Tom Mooney Tom, curious I believe I had my track bar bushing pressed in. I know the worn bushing was pressed out. Can the bushing be put in by hand hammer? turbinator Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1965rivgs Posted January 3, 2020 Share Posted January 3, 2020 2 minutes ago, Turbinator said: Tom, curious I believe I had my track bar bushing pressed in. I know the worn bushing was pressed out. Can the bushing be put in by hand hammer? turbinator Hi Bob, Probably can be done, especially if one warmed up the end of the track bar, but not the way I would do it. I have a large vise which I use which is not much different than using a press. My guys at the local auto parts store still have their press and would probably do it for me for free so shouldnt be expensive, VERY easy job at the press, Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riviera63 Posted January 3, 2020 Share Posted January 3, 2020 35 minutes ago, Turbinator said: Tom, curious I believe I had my track bar bushing pressed in. I know the worn bushing was pressed out. Can the bushing be put in by hand hammer? turbinator Bob, I know the track bar bushings can be put in and removed by hand as I have done it. We changed the bushings in my car in the garage of my brother-in-laws friend when we drove out to Colorado Springs for the 2014 ROA Convention. They were the poly bushings and with the supplied grease slipped in fairly easily if I remember correctly. The hard part was cold chiseling the metal sleeve of the old bushings out of the track bar. Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbinator Posted January 4, 2020 Share Posted January 4, 2020 2 hours ago, Riviera63 said: Bob, I know the track bar bushings can be put in and removed by hand as I have done it. We changed the bushings in my car in the garage of my brother-in-laws friend when we drove out to Colorado Springs for the 2014 ROA Convention. They were the poly bushings and with the supplied grease slipped in fairly easily if I remember correctly. The hard part was cold chiseling the metal sleeve of the old bushings out of the track bar. Bill Bill, you remembered 100%. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
telriv Posted January 4, 2020 Share Posted January 4, 2020 An easy way to change the bushings. If you notice the original rubber have like "vent" holes in the middle. Use a serrated knife & cut them out. Like the old Shell Gasoline steak knifes. Take your hacksaw blade out & put the blade in the housing of the old bushing. Hook the blade back up to your hacksaw & cut away. Once you have gone thru the steel sleeve it will mostly pop right out. Tom T. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbinator Posted January 4, 2020 Share Posted January 4, 2020 2 hours ago, 1965rivgs said: Hi Bob, Probably can be done, especially if one warmed up the end of the track bar, but not the way I would do it. I have a large vise which I use which is not much different than using a press. My guys at the local auto parts store still have their press and would probably do it for me for free so shouldnt be expensive, VERY easy job at the press, Tom Tom, thanks for taking the time to confirm what zi thought. I got the track bar off easy enough. I looked at how rusted the thing appeared know it was going to be a rough go by hand. I took the track bar to a friend’s small engine shop. My friend pressed the bushing out and put the replacement bushing in. N/c. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbinator Posted January 4, 2020 Share Posted January 4, 2020 1 minute ago, telriv said: An easy way to change the bushings. If you notice the original rubber have like "vent" holes in the middle. Use a serrated knife & cut them out. Like the old Shell Gasoline steak knifes. Take your hacksaw blade out & put the blade in the housing of the old bushing. Hook the blade back up to your hacksaw & cut away. Once you have gone thru the steel sleeve it will mostly pop right out. Tom T. Tom most stuff I work on never “pops out.” Your tip is well received for use on another project. Thanks again. Turbinator Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arnulfo de l.a. Posted January 4, 2020 Share Posted January 4, 2020 On January 2, 2020 at 7:31 AM, 1965rivgs said: There are also rubber versions available Tom Mooney Just curious as to what the advantages are of rubber over poly? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmTee Posted January 4, 2020 Share Posted January 4, 2020 The rubber ones would (theoretically) perform as original. The poly bushings would hold the rear axle more precisely, however, would also transmit more energy to the frame (and ultimately to the cabin). Unless you're upgrading the other suspension bushings for ultimate handling (i.e., poly everywhere else), I'd probably stick with the OEM replacement type. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Cannon Posted January 4, 2020 Share Posted January 4, 2020 15 hours ago, arnulfo de l.a. said: Just curious as to what the advantages are of rubber over poly? The poly track bar bushings hold the axel more precisely in the rear, over the coil springs, to give better lateral stability (handling), especially at higher speed. That's the purpose of the track bar. I have had numerous 1st gen. Riv. owners comment to me, after installing the poly bushings back on the track bar, as I suggested here, that they were AMAZED at how much better the car handled, how much more stable it felt on the road. Of course, this is compared to worn out original rubber bushings. The poly bushings are MUCH easier to install than the rubber ones. The hardest part is getting the old bushing sleeves out of the track bar. The Poly bushings cost less. Poly bushings did not exist for cars in '63 (were not used by OEM). IMHO, the poly track bar bushings are much better than rubber. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuart57 Posted January 14, 2020 Author Share Posted January 14, 2020 On 1/3/2020 at 12:13 AM, Jim Cannon said: No, one set does the one track bar. This bar runs left-right between rear axel and chassis. Thanks Jim, just got the track bar bushings (poly as you advised) and put them in, WOW what a difference ! It handles like a new one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Cannon Posted January 14, 2020 Share Posted January 14, 2020 9 hours ago, Stuart57 said: Thanks Jim, just got the track bar bushings (poly as you advised) and put them in, WOW what a difference ! It handles like a new one. Yes. Your experience is consistent with mine and with every other 1st gen. Riv owner I have heard from that has installed these bushings in their car. Glad I could help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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