70 Fleetwood Body mounts

[Tony clc#24130]

I am looking for a set of correct body mounts for the rear of a 70 fleetwood. The 4 from behind the rear tire and back. What I have seen out there, they are offering generic stuff that really doesn't look close to original.

[Scot Minesinger]

Tony,

I have replaced these on all three of my 1970 Cadillacs and many others.  Wrote down very specific instructions.  Send me an e-mail at rscotm@cox.net and I will send you the article.  The car will drive way better. 

[Tony clc#24130]

E-mail sent thanks Scott

[Cape Cod Fleetwood]

Scot how do you know when a body mount needs to be replaced?

\m/
Laurie

[Scot Minesinger]

Laurie,

Without even looking at your car if the body mounts are original, the back four and front three probably need to be replaced, so check those first - and they are super easy to get to, don't even need to jack the car up to inspect.

A visual inspection often suffices.  Here is a very extreme example of a center radiator body bushing on a 1965 Cadillac that I replaced.  You can tell be a visual inspection and try and move them.  If they can be moved by hand, rubber is dry rotted, or otherwise look terrible, they should be replaced.  The car will drive way better and any squeaks or rattles will be reduced.

The nice thing about the body to frame body bushings I use is they are compatible with the original bushings that may not get replaced, and they are low cost plus indestructible - will outlast you, the next owner and the car.

[Cape Cod Fleetwood]

Thanks Scot, I'll pull out the body manual to find their exact locations.
Might be easy to inspect, assuming a shop is necessary for replacement.

\m/
Laurie

[Tony clc#24130]

I appreciate the article Scott, It's well done but Im looking for something that looks original with correct washers etc. If anyone out there has any leads I would appreciate it.

[Cape Cod Fleetwood]

I appreciate the article Scott, It's well done but Im looking for something that looks original with correct washers etc. If anyone out there has any leads I would appreciate it.

Tony go to John Abends page on Facebook, he probably has a drawer full of them.

\m/
Laurie

[Scot Minesinger]

Laurie,

Please get my article if you replace any bushings.  I have seen horrible results from some shops that are a major pain to correct, which I have once on a 1967 Cadillac where the body was ready to leave the frame.  The main take away's are:

1.  Keep body on the frame during replacement, put block under the wheels do not lift car by frame but use wheels so frame/body are in same position when on road.

2.  The bolts will loosen unless they are mechanically restrained (see my picture), unless the factory square captured nuts are used.  If the bolts loosen the car will leave the frame.

3.  The steering column often has to be realigned (column bolted to body, steering gear bolted to frame), this is easy to do an procedure is outlined in shop manual.  This is if you replace all of them, back four no issue.