39 Buick Ser 40 Control Arm Bumpers Question

[39 Again]

Rebuilding the suspension and steering on my 39 Coupe 40.  A bit confused because Old Buick Parts and others list 2 different LCA bumpers.  I can only identify one type on mine but wondering if I'm missing one as there was an upper bumper missing on one side.  Bottom one (B) below looks like mine, but not sure where (A) goes if at all.  Any help appreciated.

 

(A)

LB370

Control Arm Bumper 1937-40 Buick Lower

$53.00

(B)

LB396

Control Arm Bumper 1939-56 Buick Lower

$16.50

[1939_Buick]

Worth getting a Buick Master parts book. I have a 1928-41 and a 1928-52

 

Edited December 14, 2020 by 1939_Buick (see edit history)

[Gary W]

Here's the location on my '37:

 

The two rubber bumpers.  Large one is the lower

 

 

Upper one fits right in that small hole in the chassis

 

 

Lower is encapsulated by the heavy steel retainer bolted to the lower control arm.

 

 

Sits right next to your coil spring

 

 

Gary

[buick looks fine for 39]

Gary W has it right. Unfortunately rivets in a 39 lower A frame need to be drilled out and that can be a bugger. Also a standard bolt replacement for the rivets is a little undersized so there is a little slop in the hole. Some folks will drill out the rivet holes a few thousands to accept a standard bolt which makes for a tighter assembly but make sure the threads in the a frame arms align with the lower outer pivot pins. This procedure is roughly described in the 1939 Buick technical bulletin. Also the bumpers with threaded studs shown in your picture are not correct.

 

Thanks Leif

[39 Again]

Thanks to 1939 Buick, Gary and Leif.  Your attachments and photos helped me a great deal and kept me from ordering some wrong parts, despite what the catalogs say.  I took a better look at the mount for the lower bumper and I can see that it is a "bugger" to replace.  Might have to call the surgeon who just replaced my shoulder since my 39 is not too much older, but hopefully a bit rustier!  Thanks again as I am new to this forum.  I'm restoring the 39 Coupe that is just like my first car that I sold for $175.  If only I had known............

 

Here's a pic of my bumpers.  Looks like the lower one is different than the one Gary has - more cone shaped.  But it is held to the LCA with the riveted clamp as you described, not a threaded stud like I had shown in my post.  Now I'm wondering if the replacement like Gary has, which I believe is a LB370, is the same height as the conical shaped one on my car.  Since it is still held in with rivets, I assume it is original and it looks like the one in the parts book that 1939 Buick gave me.  Again thanks to all!

Tom 

 

 

[39BuickEight]

I left my lowers on when I restored my car.  They still serve the purpose fine and softened up a little with some WD-40.  Considering how it’s driven and cared for now, I expect to get more years than I will ever need out of them.

[buick looks fine for 39]

Yep, your lower a frames seem to be originals and Gary's bumpers seem to have a different profile when compared to an original 39. I see Bob's has bumpers listed as 37-40 LB370 and Lynne Steel's catalog are listed as 50-125-32. Lynne Steel does have an accurate cross section with dimensions to make a accurate comparison. Billy might have the best idea by reusing your originals; they appear to be in pretty good shape. I was lucky enough to have nos replacements.

 

Thanks Leif

[39 Again]

Thanks again guys!