Changing Struts- Help!!!!
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 50
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Changing Struts- Help!!!!
Got struts off fairly easy using a large 3 jaw puller on the shock mount spindle. My first problem is that the new struts have larger heads and do not fit well. The shop gave me what was labeled 68- 79 struts and I thought that the pre 75's were smaller(I have a 74). They said they would fit. I think I need the smaller head ones? Also, it appears that the sturts have to be twisted to be able to slide them into the T arm spindle holder. I tried lifting the T arm to bring the holder more in line with the cam end connection but had no luck. What's up here and are the struts supposed to be twisted inorder to get them in. It does not make sense since it makes it impossible to line up the bushing shafts in order to drive either the shock mount spindle or cam bolt through. Also, the larger strut head made it impossible to line up in the spindle holder to drive the shock mount shaft through. My old struts are twisted a bit, which compensates for the mis-alignment between T arm spindle holder and the cam end holder. What am I missing here? Thanks.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 269
Likes: 0
St. Jude Contributor
Re: Changing Struts- Help!!!! (johnb74)
Not sure if this helps, but I just changed the strut bushings on my '78.
I connected the strut at the camber cam first. Then, I had to jack the TA up as far as I could in order to get the other end of the strut in. Just like you said, it seemed twisted. I had to tap it slightly with a hammer to get it in. Once I had it sort of in there, I had to adjust the camber cam until everything lined up and I could push the shock mount through.
I had to tap that in with a hammer as well.
I connected the strut at the camber cam first. Then, I had to jack the TA up as far as I could in order to get the other end of the strut in. Just like you said, it seemed twisted. I had to tap it slightly with a hammer to get it in. Once I had it sort of in there, I had to adjust the camber cam until everything lined up and I could push the shock mount through.
I had to tap that in with a hammer as well.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,118
Likes: 3,914
From: Connecticut, USA
Re: Changing Struts- Help!!!! (johnb74)
John,
The larger head strut were used during or after 75 if I recall correctly. They were also the service replacement for the earlier cars. I used them on my 69 when the originals were bent by the previous owners "alignment" shop.
I also needed replacemetn struts for the 72. I purchased the 1.250" replacement which are welded rods. I haven't used them yet but I believe they have been on the market for several years and I haven't heard of any problem with them.
For using the larger head struts you have to watch how they fit into the spindle support. They may be tight and the castings of the earlier supports were tighter. When I rebuilt the rear bearigns last year I milled a radius in the support so that the larger rods wouldn't bind if the travel up. You may have to file a small clearence for the struts to fit. Before filing check carefully to see if the strut fits and and travels fully without binding.
I recommend you buy the video that Bairs sells, this is one of the areas they cover.
Good luck,
Gary
The larger head strut were used during or after 75 if I recall correctly. They were also the service replacement for the earlier cars. I used them on my 69 when the originals were bent by the previous owners "alignment" shop.
I also needed replacemetn struts for the 72. I purchased the 1.250" replacement which are welded rods. I haven't used them yet but I believe they have been on the market for several years and I haven't heard of any problem with them.
For using the larger head struts you have to watch how they fit into the spindle support. They may be tight and the castings of the earlier supports were tighter. When I rebuilt the rear bearigns last year I milled a radius in the support so that the larger rods wouldn't bind if the travel up. You may have to file a small clearence for the struts to fit. Before filing check carefully to see if the strut fits and and travels fully without binding.
I recommend you buy the video that Bairs sells, this is one of the areas they cover.
Good luck,
Gary
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 50
Likes: 1
Re: Changing Struts- Help!!!! (gtr1999)
Thanks gtr1999 and I believe that Corvette Central has struts with the smaller bushings(1-1/4"). Anyone had similar experience having to twist the struts to install them. I think with the smaller bushing struts it may help. It makes no sense to me to use these later struts and rip up your spindle holder and have them impair up and down movement of the car. Thanks and happy Labor day all!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 6,213
Likes: 1
From: South Alabama
Re: Changing Struts- Help!!!! (johnb74)
Mine are larger head VBP adjustable struts with the locknuts at each end. When I pulled the stock struts last year I had to use a floor jack under the trailing arm to get everything to line up for new struts but I didn't have to twist anything around to get it to fit. :yesnod:
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,118
Likes: 3,914
From: Connecticut, USA
Re: Changing Struts- Help!!!! (johnb74)
John,
I have the 1.250" struts from CC. They are the welded ones I mentioned. You can use the later struts you have to be sure they don't bind. I didn't have to remove much from the housing to use them. If you want I have a scanner so I can check my pictures of the work and maybe get you a copy of what I'm referrring to. I'm going out to port some heads today so I won't be around to scan anything until tonight if that helps.
Gary
I have the 1.250" struts from CC. They are the welded ones I mentioned. You can use the later struts you have to be sure they don't bind. I didn't have to remove much from the housing to use them. If you want I have a scanner so I can check my pictures of the work and maybe get you a copy of what I'm referrring to. I'm going out to port some heads today so I won't be around to scan anything until tonight if that helps.
Gary
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 792
Likes: 2
From: Norcross GA
Re: Changing Struts- Help!!!! (gtr1999)
I also had to jack up the t-arms to get them to almost lineup. Then I took a big screwdriver and put it in the space above the strut rod at the t-arm and pryed a very little, a dime's width, and the slid right in.
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