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:set rant=ON

While chasing a rattle in the back of the B4C, I noticed that the rear bump stops had deteriorated. Much like the spats on our 86 SVO, they just fell to the floor of the shop in crumbly pieces. Looking around, I discovered that the poly replacement pieces require you to cut part of the mounting surface away from the body. Not willing to do that, this IS a mostly-stock B4C 1LE car, I opted to just use factory replacements.

It looks like Dorman is the only co that has anything that's not poly for the 3rd Gen, P/N 31068, so I ordered a pair of these, not cheap, repros. I decided today was the day to do that, and after getting the back end off the ground and the wheels off, went to work. Being a mostly unmolested Texas car, the bolts came off will little effort, albeit more than I wanted to do, given my current state of rehab from shoulder surgery. Anyway, I started to bolt the new ones in place, and the freaking bolt holes don't line up with the body!!!!! I verified the P/N, but sure enough, the bolt holes are about 1/8-3/16" off. After drilling the holes out to 1/2" and slotting them with my die grinder, I got them on the car.

I'm really p1ssed that these things pass off as OEM replacements. It's not like I'm trying to fab a part for some rare, odd car. I can't wait to get my 'we'd love you to review your purchase' email from the reseller!!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

The rattle, BTW, was a mis-assembled rear sway bar end link. I don't remember when, or who did the work, it was certainly me, with, or without help. Who knows. It's all better now. THAT sh1t fit!

:set rant=OFF
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This post has been edited by CrashTestDummy: Jun 15 2023, 09:11 PM

CrashTestDummy View Member Profile	Jun 15 2023, 09:10 PM Post #1
Veteran Member Group: Advanced Members Posts: 3,874 Joined: 3-July 04 From: Pearland, Texas Member No.: 385	:set rant=ON While chasing a rattle in the back of the B4C, I noticed that the rear bump stops had deteriorated. Much like the spats on our 86 SVO, they just fell to the floor of the shop in crumbly pieces. Looking around, I discovered that the poly replacement pieces require you to cut part of the mounting surface away from the body. Not willing to do that, this IS a mostly-stock B4C 1LE car, I opted to just use factory replacements. It looks like Dorman is the only co that has anything that's not poly for the 3rd Gen, P/N 31068, so I ordered a pair of these, not cheap, repros. I decided today was the day to do that, and after getting the back end off the ground and the wheels off, went to work. Being a mostly unmolested Texas car, the bolts came off will little effort, albeit more than I wanted to do, given my current state of rehab from shoulder surgery. Anyway, I started to bolt the new ones in place, and the freaking bolt holes don't line up with the body!!!!! I verified the P/N, but sure enough, the bolt holes are about 1/8-3/16" off. After drilling the holes out to 1/2" and slotting them with my die grinder, I got them on the car. I'm really p1ssed that these things pass off as OEM replacements. It's not like I'm trying to fab a part for some rare, odd car. I can't wait to get my 'we'd love you to review your purchase' email from the reseller!!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif) The rattle, BTW, was a mis-assembled rear sway bar end link. I don't remember when, or who did the work, it was certainly me, with, or without help. Who knows. It's all better now. THAT sh1t fit! :set rant=OFF <return> This post has been edited by CrashTestDummy: Jun 15 2023, 09:11 PM

trackbird View Member Profile	Jun 17 2023, 07:59 PM Post #2
FRRAX Owner/Admin Group: Admin Posts: 15,432 Joined: 13-February 04 From: Ohio Member No.: 196	That's not fun. I find that as cars get older, parts fit worse. The centerforce dual friction clutch I put in my 2002 camaro (the original 2002) fixed the "too soft" clutch torsion springs that GM used in the LS6 clutch. So I put one in this car. It feels like an LS6 clutch, the springs are too soft. Somewhere, someone looked and saw "the originals called for this spring rate, why are we using "THAT" spring rate? Lets fix it". Or, they ran out of springs and had to go to an OEM supplier. Either way, the parts aren't what they were when these cars were new.