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I'm looking to replace my rear strut rods due to excessive rear negative camber. The current stud rods are bent/arched, I want to replace them with West Coast suspension adjustable stud rod kit with heim joint ends. My 69 had a frame off restored so no rust on suspension bolts. Do I need to release the rear spring end bolts to replace my strut rods or can they remain connected just support the trail arms? If anybody as used this strut rods or any tips to accomplish to part swap-out wold be greatly appreciated. I'll be using a shop lift to accomplish this task.
I didn't use those but did use the adjustable strut rods (no heim)
Even though it should be fine, count on that lower shock/strut bolt being a PIA to get out. Have the knocker tool or reverse the castle nut (sometimes you can find a 3/8 fine or NPT pipe cap which can be made to work) ready
I think I would remove the spring from the TA bolts so when you remove the links there's no chance of the spring trying to do something weird to the trailing arm as soon as the shock and link aren't there to keep it where it should be .
You'll also find someway of supporting the trailing arm once the shock is removed. I used a block under the front of the arm inside the pocket to set things up initially, later on when I was getting the bottom shock/strut bolt back in I had a ratchet strap around the frame and rear of the TA.
Also, check the fit of the plate that goes into where the cam bolts went. Mine were a little too wide and I needed to trim them down so that sat all the way into that pocket
M
I have a 4-post lift so the wheels sit on that - I was able to remove my old strut rods and install the heim joints without doing anything special. The spring was holding up the car already, the shock and strut rod just keep the wheel from folding in. Friction handles that.
Didn't use the Global West product, just added heim ends to my VB&P adjustables.
Check out the Heim joint strut rods from Van Steel.
They look just like the Global West strut rods but you can compare quality and price before you make your purchase.
I swapped mine during my body off project so I can’t give any advice about installing them.
If your wheels are hanging in the air, car on jackstands.
Or your wheels are supported, car on ramps or lifted by the wheels.
this is going to make a big difference on how to do this.
best bet if you can. Wheels supported. Car on ramps.
Then no, you won't need to undo the rear spring.
No matter if they were put on yesterday or 40 years ago. Count on the rear shock mounts to be a real bear to get out. I always order new ones. Just never confident that the spline is really reusable. Yes I have a knocker tool for the lower shock mounts. If you don't have one. Order one of those as well.
with the rear of the car on ramps. The only hard part of the whole job will be removing those lower shock mounts. And it'll be a lot easier if you have 2 new ones sitting there cause then you won't be worried about destroying them getting them out! And if you end up not needing them. Save them for next time. There not terribly expensive.
Thanks guys for your responses. My pan is to have my car on 2 post lift, remove rear tires to take weight off trail arms and allow room to work on shock mount & strut rods. While accomplishing this task I'm going to replace the spring end bolt bushings also, they all flat and cracked. I don't have the knock out tool so I guess I'll order a set of new shock mount rods just in case I damage the current ones during removal.
There's a tool to protect the threads of the shock mount bolts (the ones that also hold the strut rod). You can then hammer the bolts, or press them out with a ball joint tool.
I have a 4-post lift so the wheels sit on that - I was able to remove my old strut rods and install the heim joints without doing anything special. The spring was holding up the car already, the shock and strut rod just keep the wheel from folding in. Friction handles that.
Didn't use the Global West product, just added heim ends to my VB&P adjustables.
ratflinger, do you have a part number for the heim ends you added to your VB&P adjustables? Do you need any other parts and did you have to modify anything. My polys crumbled when I took them out. Thanks in advance!
Rear Strut Rod replacement
