I have an 85 IROC. I ordered Gabriel bearing plates, which according to the shop, fit 82-92 Camaros. Long story short, they don't fit the three retainer studs (two fit--the third, the one toward the rear of the car, doesn't). Thinking they might have been boxed incorrectly, the shop ordered Moog replacements. Same story, the fit was off. By the way, apparently the part numbers for the above cross-reference with GM.

Anyone with advice or part numbers chip in. I need to get my car on the road again.

JamesC

 

very long time ago i was doing front end on a 70 nova with moog parts. i got wrong size control arm bushing, went to GM parts, same thing, tried several other stores all same size and same pn, finially went to another store and got same pn but differant size part, and it fit. guess anything can happen in the world of replacement parts.

 

After market companies, like Gabriel and Moog, claim that their strut bearing plates will fit 82-92 cars. However (GM says there are two series, 82-86 and 87-92), the after market will only fit 82-86 if the 87-92 three-stud retainer is used. GM has discontinued one side, so the bone yards are the only answer.

EDIT: Spohn currently offers them:

http://www.spohn.net/shop/1982-1992-...-92-Style.html

EDIT: Current OE after market replacements, at least KYB, have been redesigned to accept all retainers. Pics in the link below:

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/susp...86-camaro.html

JamesC

 

The part # I got from Moog for my 87 T/A is K6412 and K6414..............

 

Can you go into more detail on what the difference is? Maybe even some pics? Mine need to be replaced pretty soon.

 

The Moog part numbers are correct. They, however, did not fit my 85 IROC until I replaced the retainer with ones from an 88. I'll try to post pics in the next couple of days.

JamesC

 

Here are some pics of the problem outlined above. Below is the 82-86 version of the bearing plate and its retainer. Both are from my 85 IROC. Note the thumb's distance between the tower and the retainer slot.

JamesC

 

Note that on the 87-92 version, the distance between the tower and retaining slot is cut nearly in half.

JamesC

 

As a consequence of the distance change, the after market bearing plate, which is supposed to fit 82-92 vehicles, will not fit 82-86 vehicles without also swapping the retainer in from an 87-92 car. As can be seen, one of the retainer studs from the 82-86 version will not fit through the slot of the after market bearing plate.

JamesC

 

I bought either the Moog or the Monroe version a few years ago. For the part where you are pointing too they made a wider slot to fit both versions. These were for my '86, after that was wrecked I swapped everything over to an '88 this past weekend.

I didn't even think to look at them for any differences. Anyone know if I should swap the bolt plate back to the '88 version? Or should I just get my alignment done and call it finished like I want to do?

 

Oh; hell. Anyone use the KYB strut mounts? (part #s SM5027 and SM5028) Don't have them next to me, I can't tell about that slot. When you guys put the 87-92 retainers on your 82-86's, were there any problems with the retainers fitting up? Dammit...

 

No, no fitment probelms (Steve Spohn claims one manufacturer makes all bearing plates) with the 87-92 retainer. This morning the CarQuest shop who'd called the Moog tech line received a call. They had been unable to locate an 82-86 car to study. I offered to send them the bearing plate and retainer from my 85. We'll see if they take me up on it.

JamesC

 

Thanks for the info, JamesC!! Now I can actually go to the junkyard -before- I take my car apart.

 

Not that I didn't believe anyone, but I had to see it for myself... yep, the same thing occurs with the KYB mounts. Looks like I'll be hitting the junkyard Saturday morning... hopefully the guy won't charge me and arm and a leg. I have my one "cheap" junkyard, and the other place varies like you wouldn't believe.

 

NOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I just bought some plates a month back, and turns out I ordered the 87-92 plates for my 86. Dang Nabbit! Guess I can use them on the 92, but why were they changed by GM in the first place.

 

Probably just changed 'em to throw us off.

I picked up the strut retainer rings from a junkyard Saturday, off an '87-up f-body, for $5 total. That's all ya gotta do.

 

Are the 2 front slots closer to the tower also, or is it just the back slot?

 

Quick note.
I found out today that GM does not have either 87-92 retainer or the LH 82-86 strut mount in inventory anymore.

 

If someone has a 87-92 three-stud retainer laying around they can send me I can make them.

Steve

 

Thanks for the info and pics, JamesC. I successfully installed some strut mounts from Spohn Performance using stud retainers from an '89 RS with no problems.

 

Glad to help. I sent the 82-86 bearing plate and retainer to Moog.

JamesC

 

I think I may have answered my own question. I got a set of the new retainers last week and compared them to the older version. Having the rear stud closer in towards the strut allows the mount to be slid slightly farther back allowing more caster.

 

Thanks for the update! Glad to know that it's a double-benefit... new strut bearings -and- a chance for increased adjustability.

 

FYI, I've never heard from Moog, so I don't know what their position on the subject is. Justins86, thanks for the info.

JamesC

 

any reason you cant just cut the plate and reweld it??

 

Cut what, the upper strut mount? It's a hell of a lot easier to just get the new retainer bolts from a junkyard

 

no, the retainer plate. Around hear the junk yards suck!!

 

I suppose you could fab them up with some time and expense, but I'm with Tom on the bone yard venture. I bought mine for $10 and the whole transaction didn't take more than fifteen minutes. Even if the yards aren't particularly good in your area, you should still be able to come up with something without too much trouble. But each to his own.

JamesC

 

I didnt have to even turn a wrench to get mine. I bought them from IrocZDave.

 

your parts man should check for retainer rings from monroe they do make the newer style to go with the new strut mount part#901923 & 901924 hope that helps

 

Spohn fabs them up these days. Check his site.

JamesC

 

Very interesting. Good read.

 

I am bring this thread back from the dead. I have this same problem with the retainer not quite fitting into my KYB strut plates. Will the Spohn retainers fit without any problems? Oh yea, mine is a 91.