This may seem like a silly question, but I just purchased a set of Adjustable Strut Rods for my C3. Each rod is marked with 'Left' & 'Right'. Could someone tell me what the left & right refers to in relation to fitment on the car (ie; inner or outer)?
Thanks, Colin

 

http://www.vbandp.com/Download-docum...trut-Rods.html
on my C4 the ends were different sizes
and a good thread
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...e-support.html

 

I'll check again to see if the ends are different. At first glance they both looked the same although I must confess I didn't measure them. Thanks for the help.

 

here's a pretty excellent tech sheet with photos and descriptions, hope it helps
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...6XbvIkLqR98Unw
on my C4 the eccentric cam was eliminated from the kit, they seem to be retaining it for these

 

Fantastic. They are the strut rods I purchased. The instructions explain the installation perfectly. Thanks again for your help.

 

you're very welcome

 

It simply refers to the threads on the rods. Makes no difference which way they're installed and the C4 stuff is not relevant to a C3. Might want to read up on the issues people are having with them coming loose.

 

Okay I just installed the same struts and I really hope I did it right. I got mine from VBP but they look are identical, and the instructions didn't mention the LEFT/RIGHT thing. I didn't realize that they ends weren't the same size, as they look the same at a glance.

So here's a diagram to explain what I'm talking about. Basically, the strut pairs are shipped with the "inside" strut bracket mounting hardware on the sides of the strut marked LEFT, meaning that either the installed orientation is O==R-L==O O==L-R==O or you have to move the hardware on one side so it looks like O==L-R==O O==L-R==O which is what I assumed and did. I figured they just assemble every strut rod the same way for manufacturing convenience and you're supposed to do this. Now that they're installed I can't easily measure the sizes. They did fit in the shock mounts and strut brackets just fine, though.

Also, at first when I installed them I didn't realize that both sides of each strut adjust, and had only extended one side when installing them. That meant one side showed like 2" of thread and the other none. This didn't look safe at all, especially if you extend it further when adjusting for camber. Once installed you can't adjust each side of the strut independently. This wasn't obvious at a glance but this was new to me. I had to re-install after evening both sides out. Maybe I'm paranoid but it definitely didn't look right.

Now I'm worried that by moving the hardware to make left/right seem logical I actually installed one backwards. I did not re-use the original eccentric bolts and cams, just used the new square plates that came with the kit. Maybe this kit is slightly different because its a C4? I hope Mike Ward is right.

 

Install them as in the bottom illustration, evenly distributing the threads on the left and right. Mike Ward is right concerning the threads. Be sure to tighten the jam nuts really tight! You should re-check the nuts after a couple weeks of driving to make sure and retighten if necessary. I've had mine for over 10 years and they have not loosened. Just for peace of mind, I give them a quick look whenever I change oil.

 

hey Mike this is the directions for the C3
http://api.viglink.com/api/click?for...13437647809834
go have coffee
mine never come loose either, depends on the person doing the install, and they are excellent for rear camber adjustment.

 

Please show me a '76 Corvette that has OEM strut rods like they show in the pics.

The Corvette America site says these parts and instructions are for '84-'96 Corvettes.

http://www.corvetteamerica.com/cf/di...ategoryid=x935

The correct parts for a C3 can be found here

http://www.corvetteamerica.com/cf/di...ategoryid=x935

As you like to say- go have some coffee- and stop giving 'bad tech'.

 

http://www.corvetteamerica.com/cf/di...ord%3A%20x2465
looks like we both needed coffee, mike, course I was up at midnight, and you're doing yours in the middle of the day. Those in my o/p didnt match my C4 with the excentrics so I mistook them for C3's. you on the other hand mistook regular strut rods for adjustables, gotta look at the pictures ....too. mabye yer drinkin to much....coffee

 

Never mind the coffee....Ward might just want to read the thread topic before he starts giving his "good" tech........or better yet, not have an opinion for everything on the planet.

Re: post #7 just as an example

 

 

You posted instructions for C4 strut rods, not C3. Go look at you own posts.

The question was which way do the rods go. Alaska gave some bad tech by stating they have different sized ends. False. He then twice posted a link that refers to installing part number X2533 (C4) rods. Not relevant.

The answer to the OPs questions is that threads are the 'left' and 'right' handed or clockwise or counterclockwise. Nothing to do with which direction the rods install.

OK, 'Keery'?

For BrianPA- you went to extra work for nothing by swapping the hardware, but it did no harm. The adjustable strut rods are similar to a turnbuckle. The ends must stay still while the centre section is rotated to lengthen or shorten the total length. That's why there's a left and right thread on each unit.

 

As Alaska clearly showed us all in post #10 the ADJUSTABLE strut rods have a large and small diameter bushing on the ends. Therefore they do only go one way. Besides why would you care? It's not some time encapsulated NOS piece of GM gold that you and your little NCRS buddies care about more than life itself. Why would you even waste your time discussing an non OEM part? Isn't that against your religion or something? Oh I know why. You just have nothing better to do with your time. You just love to hear yourself speak. Look at me....no friends, no life, I'll feel better putting other people down....probably one of those guys who peaked in highschool.....sad.

 

added mike to my ignore list, I've noticed he doesnt actually help. just complains.

 

Wow- so much anger..............

Is this because you bought the strut rods and THEN saw my opinion of them (nothing smart about them) and are upset and feel personally insulted? Be my guest.

I've probably installed more sets of adjustable struts than both of you put together. There was no difference in the end diameters on any set I've ever touched.

Have a great day.

add: best quit with the personal attacks before you get the post locked.

 

I like coffee, Dunkins iced black

 

That is 'the best' coffee, better than starbucks