or are the adjustable struts about the same?

 

One thing you need to have going with your strut rods, is that you need to have them parallel to the rear half axles at all angles of up and down axle motion. Strangely the factory rods and the associated bracket attached to the differential did not maintain theis geormetry. That's why you need to find aftermarket manufactureres.

I'm using heim jointed strut rods, and a the associated modified differential strut rod attachment bracket, from Tom's Differential. You can see this assembly in the Feb 2005 issue of Hot Rod magazine. I like the tight tolerances that I'm experiencing with Tom's parts.

Guldstrand and also Vette Brake Products also sells these strut rods with their own brackets. From what I know their products are of excellent qualty.

I think what you need is really the strut rod to differential bracket that is modified to maintain parallel strut rod to axle geometry. In the world of Vette Brake Products, this is know as the Smart Rod System. As mentoned above other vendors sell this modified bracket. After you get the bracket, I think you should get the heim jointed strut rods.

The adjustable strut rods that don't have heim joints, just solid joints, are difficult to torque into a permanent position. (My opinion.)

 

well they do seem to reduce camber change but jury is still out on whether this is a good thing or not.

 

I am wondering too....... with the smart struts the camber doesn't change during suspension travel... there was a long long post about a 6-link setup recently with lots of info about smart struts, camber change aso... do a search...

If you already have the struts, they sell the bracket as a separate part....

I am planning on installing a spacer between the bracket and the differential to bring the bracket down and the rods parallel to the half shafts. This will only be for a test to see if I notice a difference and to see if I like it or not before I spend $200 ....

 

I got the whole setup from VanSteel and the handling improvement was immediate. I used the eccentric to align the strut with the halfshaft and the adjustable rod to set camber.

Only problem? the lock nuts come loose and the rod turns! Lots of folks have had this problem, and I used thread locker to hold 'em, plus I check them often. Handling benefits offset the problems for me.

Hans

 

What Wrencher said.

 

I have just the camber rods and I don't regret not geting the smart strut bracket.

Setting the camber rods parallel with the halfshafts will decrease cornering traction and increase straight line traction. This is due to increase of negative camber gained by having the rods not parallel.

Now, there is a point where you can have too much neg camber increase, but for the average Joe, I believe for handling, the stock setup is better than using the smart struts and setting the rods parallel to the halfshafts. If you want to decrease the amount of neg camber gain, you can simply add in a 1/4" - 1/2" spacer to lower the bracket and you can keep some $$ in your wallet.

 

I had them installed years ago and it took the squirrellyness out of the rear end during normal and spirited driving. It's an easy $200 fix for C3's.

Spike

 

Well worth it.