[GonzoF1]

>>Didn't see this forum until after I posted this in the 66-67 LeMans/GTO forum. Sorry.

OK, so as not to talk too much smack about our wonderful host here because I am a pretty good customer (and will continue to be), but I had/have an issue we should look at.

I ordered the whole front end bushing kit for my '66 LeMans (rpu75). Although I didn't know about the oval rear bushings on mine... well, I knew, but nobody asked when I ordered so I had to order the rpu78s separately. Anyway, my issue is that when I took the whole smash to the shop to get them R&R, the tech called me and said, "They don't fit." So I drove over to look. Turns out that the upper control arm bushings were about 20/1000ths over size and the lower fronts were almost a 1/4" too large.

My beef, I guess, is that PY didn't have a clue. When I called to inquire, they had never heard of the problem and said that the ONLY difference between the '66 kit and the '67 kit were the oval rear bushings. So I went back to the shop to collect my stuff thinking that this was going to be a huge hunt for bushings off an odd GM car.

Luckily, the machine shop is attached to a Car Quest. I figured that if a Pontiac-specific store didn't know what was going on, how could a local Car Quest? Well, turns out that all it took was one look in their book (cause the computer doesn't go that far back) and wham... one hour later, they had the correct bushings (they were in a warehouse across town). The machine shop tech called me one hour after that and I was all set.

So what gives here? Is it just an honest mistake or is PY that clueless? My problem now is that I have pieces of the kit that I can't use, but have already installed the parts I can. Any tips on getting credit for these? The last time I needed an RA it wasn't a problem, and TBH, I haven't called them on this yet. Still, I dread the call because I have to go through the whole scenario again and again.

[Ccass]

The bushing kit issue is not so simple. You got the correct kit for your year except for very late 1966 cars. Asking a customer whether he/she has a 66 control arm or 67 control arm usually yields a 'huh?' answer. So we don't normally stir the pot. It is also possible that your control arms were changed at some point to the 67 style. This is a common wear part. The oval rear bushing is not the only part of the changeover for 67. The 2 small bushings that didn't fit your car also change. That being said, you got bad information from PY on your post sale call. We're not all experts here and even experts can have a bad day. :( We talk about a lot of years of cars every day. When it's busy, the calls tend to mentally start running together. I appologize for that. Just call the office for a return number and you can return them if they are not damaged.

[GonzoF1]

Thanks. I'm not p/o'd or anything, just confused as to how a Pontiac place wouldn't have them and a Carquest would. The other issue I am worried about more is trying to RA the parts I haven't used out of the kit. Going to call when I get home from work and hopefully work it out. Thanks for your reply.

[Ccass]

We had them, we just didn't know it. :( Like I said, busy time, lots of calls, lots of tech. Some CRS. :)

[DHVoorhees]

Hello and I have a similar problem when ordering parts for my 66 LeMans. I have ordered a front suspension rebuild kit from another parts supplier and they sent me round bushings for each side. The thing is that I need a 1.9" Oval and a 1.4" round bushing. Are these the dimensions for a different year or different model GM car?

Thanks

[Ccass]

GM used two different designs for the a-body cars. The round bushings were normally used from 64-66 and the oval started getting used sometime in 1967and up cars. Since the control arms themselves are interchangeable between years, some arms find themselves in the other year car. You need the 67+ style.

[DHVoorhees]

Thanks for your confirmation. After reading a few posts I realized that the control arm may have been replaced with a 67' or that my car was a late model 66'. I'll try the 67 version.