Rear strut rod mounting bracket problems
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Essexville MI
Rear strut rod mounting bracket problems
I have just replaced the rear strut rod mounting bracket for the second time in three years. The first time I was an hour away from home when the left side of the bracket broke just inside of where the strut rod attaches to the bracket. Two weeks ago the same thing happened on the right side. When a fellow Vette owner drove by and saw the problem, he went home (luckily only about a mile away), grabbed a floor jack and we got the car up in the air. Not only were we able to confirm the bracket had broken but the left side was cracked and wouldn't have lasted much longer. I am completely confused as to why this is happening. I drive the car a fair amount (4,000 - 5,000 miles) but only durring the summer. The only thing I can think of is perhaps I need to avoid back roads that are in bad shape and crawl over railroad tracks.
Has anyone else experienced this? What are my possible fixes so I am not stranded again (the second time was two hours from home)?
Has anyone else experienced this? What are my possible fixes so I am not stranded again (the second time was two hours from home)?
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,909
Likes: 6
From: Lake Arrowhead - Georgia > 72 Base Coupe & 74 BB Roadster
Are you talking about the center mount, under the differential OR the bolt attachment on the outers? I haven't seen the center bracket break, but I have seen the outers come apart if they hit something hard enough.
Good luck......
Good luck......
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
Sounds like an unlikely problem.
I don't think bumps are doing it.
More likely extra lateral forces from cornering with wide sticky tires, etc.
Is it all stock ? or aftermarket strut rods ?
I have been running VBP adjustables with no problems.
These use the stock bracket with inserts to replace the cam adjusters.
If I were you, I would have reinforcements welded to the bracket
to further strengthen it in the weak area(s) where it broke.
Any pics ??
I don't think bumps are doing it.
More likely extra lateral forces from cornering with wide sticky tires, etc.
Is it all stock ? or aftermarket strut rods ?
I have been running VBP adjustables with no problems.
These use the stock bracket with inserts to replace the cam adjusters.
If I were you, I would have reinforcements welded to the bracket
to further strengthen it in the weak area(s) where it broke.
Any pics ??
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Essexville MI
As far as I know everything is stock. The rear camber adjustment is the cam style. From what I have been reading through other postings, it sounds like I should switch to the adjustable linkage rather than keeping the cam style. The tires I am running are 15/225 Eagle ST. I know these are a soft tire but I didn't think they could be part of the problem. I don't have the opportunity to do alot of hard cornering, although I would like to if I could trust that the rear end of the car would stay in one piece.
I don't have any pics but the bracket (in the center of the car, not the outer) broke in the same place both times, just to the inside of where the cam is located. Can you weld this? The guy who stopped to help me said it looked like is a cast piece rather than stamped. I don't know what difference that makes because I have never welded anything before. When I bought the replacement bracket I had to buy a used original (both times) because no one makes a newer replacement bracket.
Any additional feedback is appreciated!
I don't have any pics but the bracket (in the center of the car, not the outer) broke in the same place both times, just to the inside of where the cam is located. Can you weld this? The guy who stopped to help me said it looked like is a cast piece rather than stamped. I don't know what difference that makes because I have never welded anything before. When I bought the replacement bracket I had to buy a used original (both times) because no one makes a newer replacement bracket.
Any additional feedback is appreciated!
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
Mine's stamped, and has never shown signs of trouble no matter what I've done to the car. Knowing what year we're dealing with will greatly help to get the right answer.
Ok, looks like you have a 76. Mine's a 77, the bracket is stamped and very thick. Being in Michigan, maybe you got hold of two rotted brackets. Post an ad in parts wanted, someone should have a good one for sale.
Ok, looks like you have a 76. Mine's a 77, the bracket is stamped and very thick. Being in Michigan, maybe you got hold of two rotted brackets. Post an ad in parts wanted, someone should have a good one for sale.
