Heim joints w/ Smart Struts
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Instructor
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Hillsborough NJ
Heim joints w/ Smart Struts
I'm replacing my poly ends with heim joints on the Smart Struts. The heim joints are narrower than the poly ends. Will washers be ok to take up the extra space? I plan on shimming them to remove any slop.
C6 the C5 of tomorrow
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,665
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From: Twin Cities Minnesota
there is not much side to side movement in the rear so it should be OK. Just make sure the rods do not bind on the washers or they will break.
I used short pieces of tubing that just fit over the bolt.
I used short pieces of tubing that just fit over the bolt.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
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If you don't have a lathe, get a threaded rod and chuck it in a drill, mount the drill in a bench vise. Then put a nut on the threaded rod, throw on a couple of washers that you intend to use, and another nut and tighten it down. Then start the drill and with a flapper disc in a grinder take down the outer diameter of the washers, that way you can make properly fitting washers that won't bind the rod end.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
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From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Will adding heim joint to the strut rods be any more noticeable in handling? Also will the heim joints make more noise than the poly bushings?
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
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The heim ends will not allow the bushing to deform so it won't give unwanted responses, however without proper seals they wear out rather quickly, dirt is death to a rod end, poly bushings will not deform near as much as rubber so for a nice street car they are fine. IMO rod ends only are beneficial if you have attributed all the shortcomings of the stock suspension and made sure the mounting points are sturdy, just adding rod ends won't do a thing but negatively affect your bank account.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Living in the Hartland
Originally Posted by jamesx0
I'm adding rod ends to try and eliminate the twisting of the strut rod. After only a few hundred miles, my jam nuts were loose.
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Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
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From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Originally Posted by jamesx0
I'm adding rod ends to try and eliminate the twisting of the strut rod. After only a few hundred miles, my jam nuts were loose.
I just don't understand any of these problems with the Poly ends smart struts. "ZERO" problems in 100,000+ miles of use. I even just count the number of rotations I put on the Smart Strut rod when I crank the trailing arms out to drop the half shafts out to change the U-joints. Then rotate them back the # of rotations to get my correct camber and it's good to go.
Where in a Vette smart strut differential mount to the trailing arm are you getting twisting motion?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,030
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From: White Pine / Dandridge TN
Originally Posted by 427V8
I've been running teflon rod ends for about 4 years now. Still tight. It's not a DD tho...
I also run seals on them now.
I also run seals on them now.
What did you do to make seals for them?
Race Director
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From: Living in the Hartland
Originally Posted by gkull
Where in a Vette smart strut differential mount to the trailing arm are you getting twisting motion?
Last edited by Fevre; Apr 1, 2005 at 10:46 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
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From: Wisconsin
Originally Posted by Twin_Turbo
If you don't have a lathe, get a threaded rod and chuck it in a drill, mount the drill in a bench vise. Then put a nut on the threaded rod, throw on a couple of washers that you intend to use, and another nut and tighten it down. Then start the drill and with a flapper disc in a grinder take down the outer diameter of the washers, that way you can make properly fitting washers that won't bind the rod end.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
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From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Originally Posted by Fevre
Since the control moves in an arc it causes the strut rod to have to rotate slightly or the bushings to flex.
I got under my car to refresh my memory of how exactly the Smart strut is attached. The wheel should not have any fore and aft movement. The wheel should only go up and down. The Smart Strut end bolt is parrallel to the ground. How can it rotate? The wheel spindle assembly is ridged to the trailing arm
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Living in the Hartland
Originally Posted by gkull
I got under my car to refresh my memory of how exactly the Smart strut is attached. The wheel should not have any fore and aft movement. The wheel should only go up and down. The Smart Strut end bolt is parrallel to the ground. How can it rotate? The wheel spindle assembly is ridged to the trailing arm
