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How I converted my adjustable strut rods with heim ends
I had a set of Corvette America adjustable strut rods sitting on the shelf for my project.
After numerous suspension idea changes, I decided to try and sell them but no one came close either here or on ebay to what I was asking let alone what I originally paid for them.
So I decided to change out the ends to the heim units that have been mentioned a lot lately.
I am going to include pics as I show what was involved and I will also include the source of the parts I used.
Now I need to get going on pulling the body off the frame and redoing the entire suspension.
I am going coil-over springs front and back and Van Steel offset trailing arms that are new with the coil-over perches built into them.
I'll post all of that in another thread.
Now back to the struts.....
Like I said I started with a set of adjustable struts that I bought several years ago.
Here are some important measurements and pics of the corresponding parts.
The adjusting tubes are 3/4"-16 thread on both ends. Of course, one end is left hand thread (LH) and the other end is a right hand thread (RH).
When buying the heim ends keep this in mind as you will need 2 of each to make a full set.
The cross member bracket under the differential is where one end of the strut attaches.
The hole size for the bolt is 1/2".
I used the 1/2" bolts that came with the new struts.
I also used the locating squares and the end spacers.
The other end of the strut attaches to the trailing arm where the shock absorber mount goes through.
On my setup that is a 5/8" hole. Because I am converting to offset trailing arms from Van Steel, they supplied me with a hardened 5/8" bolt to replace the shock mount. (my shocks are eliminated by using the coil-over setup).
So double check the shock mount bolt size that goes thru your trailing arm.
Now I had to figure out what was the size of the gaps I needed to fill at each end and how to combine the heim ends with some sort of spacers.
I went thru the usual internet search of ebay, Summit, race car, dirt track, off-road supply houses, etc.
Another CF member mentioned RuffStuff Specialties. They actually had the best variety and best prices so I ordered everything I needed from them.
I'll post the part numbers and cost in a separate post so you can print that out minus the pics.
Turns out the gap to fill at the cross member bracket is 1.85" and the gap at the trailing arm / shock support is 1.65". Remember this is for my setup. I strongly suggest you measure yours with a set of calipers.
I started by using the poly ends that came with the struts to get a beginning point. The pic shown here does not include the 2 metal spacers that fit on each end of the poly. Look at the original pics and you will see those spacers.
I then measured the bracket openings themselves.
While searching for heim ends that had a 3/4"-16 thread of about 2" in both LH and RH thread, I had a hard time finding them with 1/2" hole through the heim end and a 5/8" hole thru the heim end. It seems that many of the suppliers the hole in the heim end matches the size of shaft of the heim end or 1/8" smaller.
SO.......I ended up ordering 4 total heim ends with 5/8" opening.
This is where it got tricky.
For the 1/2" bolt going thru the cross member bracket I used a spacer setup called a misalignment spacer. What that does is the 2 ends of the spacers meet inside the heim end opening and reduce the inside hole down to 1/2". I bought the widest set of these that would fit inside 1.85".
The trailing arm end was no problem. I just bought some stainless steel spacers that have the built in curve so as not to bind with the heim end when it pivots. I still need to make up some space but I can just cut some 5/8" steel tubing for them.
Obligatory pics showing assembled heim ends with spacers.
Top pic is the both the heims and all purchased spacers.
2nd pic is the cross member heim with the misalignment spacers.
Bottom pic is the trailing arm setup.
Filling the gap on the cross member....I used the existing square plates to line up the bolt. On the outer set I needed to grind a little off of the plates to get them to fit.
Remember, the plates do not move. The adjustable feature of the strut and the heim end make it so that they struts just need to be centered at each end.
To completely fill the gap difference between the heim and its spacers and the square plates, I used one of the cupped washers that used to rest on the poly end. I just ground it flat where it was cupped. Sorry but no pic of that.
You will need to make up your own spacer/washer combination to make yours fit.
Here is list from RuffStuff Specialties (btw when doing a search for them using just their name, I found a coupon website that gave me a 10% discount for them And it worked).
Good luck with your projects.
Any questions, post them here or PM me. I am available pretty much every day.
58-58SS.........5/8" stainless steel spacer............4....3.75...$15.00
58TO12SS......5/8" SS misalignment 5/8"-1/2"....4....4.73...$18.92
3458RE..........3/4" x 5/8" rod end RH 16tpi.........2..16.65...$33.30
R1405............3/4" x 5/8" rod end LH 16tpi.........2..16.65...$33.30
total $100.52
ship 8.55 Total $109.07
Ruffstuffspecialties.com
Original adjustable struts were $109.99 + shipping.
So all total, this setup is less than $225.00
Btw the tubing is thicker than the Smart Struts from other vendors.
Cannot wait to install this with my all new rear suspension.
Another option for the strut rod is pictured below. It's an aluminium rod in various lengths made by Allstar Performance which I used to replace my damaged strut rods.
Another option for the strut rod is pictured below. It's an aluminium rod in various lengths made by Allstar Performance which I used to replace my damaged strut rods.
Nice looking piece Mike.
I am sure there are enough parts out there if someone wanted to build a set from scratch.
Just takes leg work.
And knowing the measurements of the pieces needed.
When I did mine years ago, I found heims from Competition Engineering that had the right size bolt holes, and used Afco sleeves. Don't ask me what part numbers, but I ended up spending like $150- $200 for everything from scratch, including the new lower shock bolts. (Most likely you will need new shock bolts as they are a hummer to get out......)
Last edited by The Money Pit; 05-23-2016 at 01:21 PM.
When I did mine years ago, I found heims from Competition Engineering that had the right size bolt holes, and used Afco sleeves. Don't ask me what part numbers, but I ended up spending like $150- $200 for everything from scratch, including the new lower shock bolts. (Most likely you will need new shock bolts as they are a hummer to get out......)
Nice!
How is it holding up?
Would be nice to see an installed on your car pic.......
Thanks for adding another source.
Shared info is one of the best features of this forum.
Another option for the strut rod is pictured below. It's an aluminium rod in various lengths made by Allstar Performance which I used to replace my damaged strut rods.
Any other info you could share? I want to make some adjustable aluminum strut rods for an '81 project. Maybe a parts list with links?
Mark, I only ordered the aluminium tubes. They come in lengths from 5"-17". I have the 12" length at a cost of about $10 each. Here's a description from their online downloadable catalogue 0n page 179 available here: www.allstarperformance.com
"Clear anodized tubes have a machined wrench flat on one end for ease of adjustment. Tubes have .156" wall thickness, are available in two diameters and a variety of lengths. The 56400 series tubes are 7/8" in diameter and both ends are tapped 5/8", one RH and LH. The 56500 Series tubes are 1" in diameter and both ends are tapped 3/4", one RH and one LH. 6061-T6 material."
Mark, I only ordered the aluminium tubes. They come in lengths from 5"-17". I have the 12" length at a cost of about $10 each. Here's a description from their online downloadable catalogue 0n page 179 available here: www.allstarperformance.com
"Clear anodized tubes have a machined wrench flat on one end for ease of adjustment. Tubes have .156" wall thickness, are available in two diameters and a variety of lengths. The 56400 series tubes are 7/8" in diameter and both ends are tapped 5/8", one RH and LH. The 56500 Series tubes are 1" in diameter and both ends are tapped 3/4", one RH and one LH. 6061-T6 material."
PM me if you don't mind so we don't hijack the thread. I saw you said you built complete struts and I was just wondering where the rest of the parts were sourced.
Mark, I only ordered the aluminium tubes. They come in lengths from 5"-17". I have the 12" length at a cost of about $10 each. Here's a description from their online downloadable catalogue 0n page 179 available here: www.allstarperformance.com
"Clear anodized tubes have a machined wrench flat on one end for ease of adjustment. Tubes have .156" wall thickness, are available in two diameters and a variety of lengths. The 56400 series tubes are 7/8" in diameter and both ends are tapped 5/8", one RH and LH. The 56500 Series tubes are 1" in diameter and both ends are tapped 3/4", one RH and one LH. 6061-T6 material."
Good info Mike......I suspect you used the 1" tubes with the 3/4"-16 tapped ends to fit that one poly end I sold you.
BTW - if using this info anyone needs the poly end version instead of the heim end version, I still have 3 ends left over from my original adjustable struts.
I sold one LH to Mike (resdoggie).
Let me know.
05-22-2016, 08:20 PM
How I converted my adjustable strut rods with heim ends
