I just tried to install a set of Smart Struts I purchased from Van Steel (my first time doing this install) and have a few problems... First, the bolt holes do not line up on my 1980 and second, the trailing arm mount end does not align properly either. The trailing arm alignment will probably improve as I lower the arm (it's currently being held up so that I could get to the ujoint bolts easier...

But I'm at a loss on the Diff mount holes... Should I grind down the edges of the smart strut brackets so that the holes will align? Seems that these should have aligned if this was designed for my year... right? wrong?

Again, I really appreciate any help anyone can provide as I want to get right back on this project in the morning and get my Vette back on the road this weekend!

Thanks in advance everyone! Ed ... here are a few pictures of the alignment issues.

 

Ed,

1) Call Van Steel and ask them first.

2) Once you get the diff end in and bolted up, make sure the adjustment cam bolts are loose and you should be able to get the tariling arm end in. I do know that it took a couple of whacks with a rubber allet to get it mine in.

3) As for the bracket to diff, that is more difficult to judge. Looking at your pictures, it appears that the bracket edge is running into the diff before the holes line up. You may be able to grind some material off the outside edhe of the bracket and that would let it move up more. I would do that before I enlarged the holes.

This bears repeating though. Stop and call Van Steel first. If need to drive tomorrow, put the old stuff back on.

 

These cars were made a long time ago, production tolerances, were um well different...

Personally I'd file the bracket a little then it would fit fine.

The whell end is fine, you have poly bushings, they will deflect so you can slide them into the trailing arm.

Wouldn't hurt to call Van Steel though I agree.

Keith

 

I would not even waste my time calling vansteel.
thats your perfect solution right there. Easyfix.

Be sure to grease up those poly bushings

 

I'm in Plano and have and 80 so if you need any help just send me a PM.

After looking at the brackets it appears the holes are the correct distance a part however either the machine shop drilled the holes too far inward or the actual bracket was cut a bit over sized. The simple fix is file or grind the extra material away. There is plenty of meterial there so don't worry too much. Whom ever built up the brackets for Van Steel either machine them wrong or the original bracket drawings to not allow for casting differences.

To be honest once you go from OEM I now expect these types of things.

In regards to the spindle mount I'm not clear on the misalignment issue. I do know the 63 from 79 had the two mounting points in line however 80 to 82 have the spindle mount slightly forward of the diff mount. You can see the stock rod has offsets. Not sure if this is the issue but you may want to check the new ones along side the onld ones just to make sure they have the same offset. If not you may have received rods for the earlier diffs.

I built up a custom mount for mine so that I will have two lower links (struct rods). Once I replace the T-arm with links the rear strut rod will act as a toe link as well. I only have one link in place now since I still have the stock T-arms in place.

Van Steel would help you out I'm sure however the problems can be solved as long as you did receive strut rods for the 80 to 82. As an FYI you may want to consider changing one of the poly ends to a heim joint if you find the lock nuts come loose. This allows for some rotation of the strut rod to occur as it can do as the suspension moves up and down. You may not need to do this but I've seen post of some folks having the lock nuts come loose.

I'm going to the Lone Star corvette meeting this morning at the Fox and Hound on Midway. It starts at 11AM. This will be my first visit to a club meeting and I'm hoping to talk to some folks about the open road race event in April.

PS - Your diff is too clean I don't dare let you see the underside of my car.

dave

 

Thanks Dave... I appreciate the input and will PM you... Ed