HELP! Problem installing adjustable poly strut rods
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 859
Likes: 53
From: Magnolia Texas
HELP! Problem installing adjustable poly strut rods - Solution found!
I got new poly rods and they are MUCH wider than the opening in the bracket on my '67 BB. The opening in the bracket is 1.810. The rods (with the centering washers on each side) measure 1.904. Am I missing something here in terms of how to get them in? I hesitate to put them in a press and try to compress the stack-up but maybe that what has to happen? .094 seems like a LOT to compress.
Also, the square brackets that replace the camber cams are about .020 wider than the slot they are to go in. It almost seems like I have the wrong parts but they only list one set of arms so I'm puzzled.
Anyone else run into this and what did you do to fix it? I'm tempted to get a set of stock (rubber) arms tomorrow and put them in there and be done with it.
Comments???
Thanks,
Steve
Also, the square brackets that replace the camber cams are about .020 wider than the slot they are to go in. It almost seems like I have the wrong parts but they only list one set of arms so I'm puzzled.
Anyone else run into this and what did you do to fix it? I'm tempted to get a set of stock (rubber) arms tomorrow and put them in there and be done with it.
Comments???
Thanks,
Steve
Last edited by 67*427; Nov 12, 2009 at 06:23 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,182
Likes: 94
From: going faster miles an hour...with the radio on in browns mills new jersey
As far as your bracket is concerned, why not just spread it a bit? Or maybe you could find some thinner washers.
When I installed the Guldstrand adjustable strut rods I had to grind on some of the square brackets a bit to get them to fit.
I don't know how big the bolts you have are but I had to open up the area in the slot where the bolt went through also.
When I installed the Guldstrand adjustable strut rods I had to grind on some of the square brackets a bit to get them to fit.
I don't know how big the bolts you have are but I had to open up the area in the slot where the bolt went through also.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 859
Likes: 53
From: Magnolia Texas
I thought about spreading the bracket but that's a heavy piece and I hate to "spring" it that much. The space where the rod end fits is presently parallel on the sides. If I spread it that much at the top, it will no longer be parallel and the washers that center the bolt will contact at the top and not the bottom. If I was going to do anything, I think I would press out the poly bushings and cut the face off a bit in the lathe. The tube through the center will have to be shortened too but it seems to me the part ought to fit... at least a lot closer than this.
I don't mind grinding the square plates (they're about .020 too wide) a bit but I think almost .100 on the poly ends is WAY too much in terms of manufacturing tolerance. With all the guys that have used the poly adjustable rods, I can't believe I'm the only one to run into this. Then again, if there's going to be a problem, it will usually find its way into my shop!
Steve
I don't mind grinding the square plates (they're about .020 too wide) a bit but I think almost .100 on the poly ends is WAY too much in terms of manufacturing tolerance. With all the guys that have used the poly adjustable rods, I can't believe I'm the only one to run into this. Then again, if there's going to be a problem, it will usually find its way into my shop!
Steve
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,747
Likes: 192
From: nj
later models use a different bracket
May be sized to fit later style brackets found on sharks. Those brackest give a lower profile as well. Read somewhere to use the later brackets for lowering the car and better handling.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 859
Likes: 53
From: Magnolia Texas
Might be. It would seem that if that were the case, the catalog would list that bracket as required. It HAS to be something like that. I just measured the length of the tube through the center of the bushings and that, along with the thickness of the centering washers that go between the bushings and the inside of the bracket is still over .050 too big to fit. I just can't believe they want you to spread the bracket that much!
Thanks for the thought,
Steve
Thanks for the thought,
Steve
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,818
Likes: 13
From: ar
I ran into the same thing a few years back. I can't recall the vendor but I sent them back and they sent me some that fit properly. Have used more of them since and no problem. I would not try to spread the bracket, that is not the solution.
Jeff
Jeff
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 859
Likes: 53
From: Magnolia Texas
Thanks Jeff, I appreciate knowing that someone else has seen the problem and how it was fixed. I just called the supplier and gave them the dimensions. They are going to check some of the ones in stock and call me back. I'll report the solution when I find out. I don't intend to spread the bracket. As you say, that's not the answer.
Thanks again,
Steve
Thanks again,
Steve
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 859
Likes: 53
From: Magnolia Texas
I talked with "Scott" at Volunteer Vette, the supplier of the rods. He got a set out of stock along with a bracket and verified my observations and dimensions. Then he said they found that with some effort, they WOULD go into the bracket and suggested I try a rubber mallet. To make a long story short, the bracket has wider dimensions in the center, the area where it bolts to the differential. If you start the arm in that area, the taper of the bracket will help you get them into the correct place. The bracket does spread by the additional .050 or so but the bolts pull it all together and they seem to fit alright.
Kudos to Scott and Volunteer Vette for stepping up and addressing the problem and helping me understand how they are to go together. I appreciate it!
Steve
Kudos to Scott and Volunteer Vette for stepping up and addressing the problem and helping me understand how they are to go together. I appreciate it!
Steve
