bent strut rods replace or straighten
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Near Vermont border Quebec
bent strut rods replace or straighten
bent strut replace or straighten, I have read a few threads here about this, looks 50/50, I am leaning towards replacing as I do need to do the bushings anyway. My question is ,I am trying to keep in as close to original as possible, does changing the strut rods, hurt , or is it acceptable ?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,417
Likes: 336
From: Texas
4 special reducing washers are used at the bracket on the diff. not at the trailing arm.
http://www.vansteel.com/index.cfm?fu...&SubGroup=1602
http://www.vansteel.com/index.cfm?fu...p=1602&ID=2930
http://www.vansteel.com/index.cfm?fu...&SubGroup=1602
http://www.vansteel.com/index.cfm?fu...p=1602&ID=2930
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 232
Likes: 2
From: Langley B.C Canada
strut rod repair
One simple repair on a bent strut rod, is simply take a roll around type car jack, and wrap a chain around under the jack, and around both ends of the strut rod, and start jacking it will bend it straight in no time.. It did mine perfectly! I could post pics, if you like?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Near Vermont border Quebec
speedreed8 Thanks again
Oh another thing,I would like to know is u-joints, looks like there at at least 3 or 4 different types, What are best to go with again to keep it as original as possible. Non grease , grease, Spicer, it is a 4 speed ,I see they also have ones for automatics
Oh another thing,I would like to know is u-joints, looks like there at at least 3 or 4 different types, What are best to go with again to keep it as original as possible. Non grease , grease, Spicer, it is a 4 speed ,I see they also have ones for automatics
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 893
Likes: 7
From: Orange Park Florida
Replace them with adjustable struts. If you bend the originals and don't readjust, your rear alignment will be off. I've seen several cases where the owner purposely bent the struts to help align the rear end. Mine were bent and I replaced them with adjustables. Looks great and allows for more adjustment ranges.
Good luck
Good luck
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Near Vermont border Quebec
Thanks for the replies , I am trying to keep it as close to original as possible , So I think replacing them with the same, as it had wont take away from it, the adjustable ones sound great but ,not original enough I would think.
The only thing I have upgraded or about to upgrade is the emergence brake pads and hardware and all lines brake and fuel to stainless
The only thing I have upgraded or about to upgrade is the emergence brake pads and hardware and all lines brake and fuel to stainless
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,886
Likes: 9
Replace them with stock type strut rods with rubber bushings.
The problem with the adjustable ones is , if you don't leave enough swivel in the rod ends, the natural motion of the suspension will take the rod ends to the limit of their travel, and eventually loosen them.
The early C3's use a slightly smaller bushing than the later ones. If you want to stay NCRS correct, you will use the ones that are origional to your year. However, the larger bushings improve the NVH slightly and can accomodate the motion of the suspension better and can last longer. If you install the large end strut rods onto an earlier car, you may have to slightly grind the ends for clearance.
Have fun.
The problem with the adjustable ones is , if you don't leave enough swivel in the rod ends, the natural motion of the suspension will take the rod ends to the limit of their travel, and eventually loosen them.
The early C3's use a slightly smaller bushing than the later ones. If you want to stay NCRS correct, you will use the ones that are origional to your year. However, the larger bushings improve the NVH slightly and can accomodate the motion of the suspension better and can last longer. If you install the large end strut rods onto an earlier car, you may have to slightly grind the ends for clearance.
Have fun.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,330
Likes: 13
From: Europe , Luxembourg
Hi
The question of reusing the old bent rods never came up because I had to destroy them to be able to get the bolt out of the corroded rod bushing sleeves. I cut the end open and had to bent the bushing open a bit in order to free the bolts.
I'm using adjustable rods with rubber bushings now and within the last 6 years , I found one or the other adjustment nut loose. There is a lot of load on this rods and adjustable rods require re-inspection for tightness regularly.
For the U-joints. I use non greasable joints . Greasing those makes no sense. They are so cheap that if they give up after 100.000 Miles, I just replace them.
Rgds. Günther
The question of reusing the old bent rods never came up because I had to destroy them to be able to get the bolt out of the corroded rod bushing sleeves. I cut the end open and had to bent the bushing open a bit in order to free the bolts.
I'm using adjustable rods with rubber bushings now and within the last 6 years , I found one or the other adjustment nut loose. There is a lot of load on this rods and adjustable rods require re-inspection for tightness regularly.
For the U-joints. I use non greasable joints . Greasing those makes no sense. They are so cheap that if they give up after 100.000 Miles, I just replace them.
Rgds. Günther
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 11,096
Likes: 990
From: Sierra Foothills CA
Heads up- a few years ago I replaced my very old strut rods with the correct Moog parts. Moog has a solid rep for making quality parts, but when I painted one of them I could see a very obvious bow in it. I had no problem exchanging it for a good one but it cost me an extra round trip across the city and down time until the replacement part arrived.
Lesson- take the struts out of the box at the parts store if you buy local to make sure they're true.
Lesson- take the struts out of the box at the parts store if you buy local to make sure they're true.