Strut Rod adjustment advice needed
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 316
Likes: 0
From: Warwick Rhode Island
Strut Rod adjustment advice needed
I have one rear tire that needs some adjustment. The top of the tire looks like it leans excessively inward. I haven't put a level on it to confirm this, but it is apparent looking at it by eye. My question is, how do you make the adjustment using the strut rod? I realize that I need to pull in the bottom of the tire, but I've never made this adjustment before and would like some advice from those who have. Also, should I be looking for anything that could have worn out? Thanks in advance!
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,652
Likes: 49
From: Bridgewater nj
Look for bad bushing first them see if your car is at stock height. If your car is sagging/low in the rear the wheels start to tip in.
I woundn't try to adjust anything until you find out whats wrong first!!!
I woundn't try to adjust anything until you find out whats wrong first!!!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 316
Likes: 0
From: Warwick Rhode Island
I'm not at home right now to measure and this is off the top of my head, but I did take measurements from the ground to the fender lips and they were around 27", but I definitely remember (and being amazed) that all four measurements were within around 1/4". Again, the 27" height is all from my somewhat foggy memory. When I first bought my '79 I measured the height to note any variations... I'll take new measurements when I go home for lunch within the hour and bounce that against what the AIM might call out for a normal ride height. With that said, I just don't feel the height might be off. In re-reading my original post, I may have overstated how bad it leans inwards (i.e. leans excessively), but it can be seen with your eye. Maybe I'm being picky but it caught my eye! 
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
There's a cam secured by a nut and bolt used for setting the camber of the rear wheel. It's located at the inner end of the strut rod. Loosen the nut, rotate the bolt and cam till you get the camber you like. Tighten the nut to the setting recommended in your chassis manual.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 316
Likes: 0
From: Warwick Rhode Island
Thanks Hugie82 & Mike. I made measurements at lunchtime and this is what I came up with - 28.5" on all sides except the rear driver side, which was just under 29". The measurements were taken from the floor to the bottom of the fender lip. It's the rear passenger side that has the top inward tilt. I did try to check my AIM but all I could find was floor to bumper height and I ran out of time to look further for other dimension points. It looks as though the bumper height measurements are taken from static points with the bumper covers removed and not with the covers mounted. This will not help me find out what my height should be. After work I'll have more time to page through the AIM to see what my height should be and where the measurements are taken from. In the meantime, if anyone knows off the top of their head what the ride height should be, feel free to let me know. Thanks again guys 
BTW - I told you my memory was foggy! And Mike, I will check to see what it says in my manual for camber, toe-in, etc...
BTW - I told you my memory was foggy! And Mike, I will check to see what it says in my manual for camber, toe-in, etc...
Last edited by Saint's Shark; May 18, 2010 at 02:17 PM.
