Adjustable Strut Rods (Willcox)
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 331
Likes: 29
From: Moyock NC
Adjustable Strut Rods (Willcox)
A while back I purchased a set of ofadjustable strut rods from a member here on the forum. The strut rods themselves look like this set from Willcox https://willcoxcorvette.com/corvette...justable-63-79 they came with a bolt kit labeled 63 - 82. I opened the bolt kit and no longer have the bag but I believe it said it was from Mid America Corvette. I had planned on putting these on my 80 but the Willcox web site says they are for 63-79. What is the difference with 80-82? What would happen if I went ahead with installing them?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 331
Likes: 29
From: Moyock NC
After a closer look at one of my old strut rods I do see where one end is slightly offset. Good news is the adjustable strut also looks to be slightly off set so it does look as if I accidentally purchased the correct ones. Earlier today I started installing these and did notice each of the strut rods are marked L and R. So with that I bolted the drivers side R end to center bracket and the end marked with an L is going to be connected to the trailing arm.
Question is which end of the offset goes towards the rear of the car? Both of the ends turn so how do you determine how the offset gets mounted in the center bracket.
Question is which end of the offset goes towards the rear of the car? Both of the ends turn so how do you determine how the offset gets mounted in the center bracket.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,839
Likes: 4,455
From: Virginia
I picked up a set for my 79 (NOS VB&P). After seeing how the poly bushings can crumble, I found this post:
Heim Join Conversion
I'll do that instead. I already put heim joints in my 80. They work great!
Heim Join Conversion
I'll do that instead. I already put heim joints in my 80. They work great!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 331
Likes: 29
From: Moyock NC
I picked up a set for my 79 (NOS VB&P). After seeing how the poly bushings can crumble, I found this post:
Heim Join Conversion
I'll do that instead. I already put heim joints in my 80. They work great!
Heim Join Conversion
I'll do that instead. I already put heim joints in my 80. They work great!
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Drifting
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 1,541
Likes: 43
From: Plano TX
Rod ends are rotating ***** so they can be offset with no issue. I run rod ends on my 80. I believe the outside one is 5/8 and the inside one is 9/16 but can recall. you need to measure the through bolt size and match up to the correct ends along with right hand or left hand threads and thread size on the rods.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,839
Likes: 4,455
From: Virginia
I intend to use the better ends with my 79. I think I paid $25- for the adjustable poly rods, complete, before I discovered that nobody should be using them, so I don't feel like I've lost much money since the rods themselves are pretty nice and reusable.
At the 8 minute mark in TheCorvetteBen's latest video, you can see that an old set of poly bushings have crumbled into dust.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,071
Likes: 86
From: Rotonda FL
I picked up a set for my 79 (NOS VB&P). After seeing how the poly bushings can crumble, I found this post:
Heim Join Conversion
I'll do that instead. I already put heim joints in my 80. They work great!
Heim Join Conversion
I'll do that instead. I already put heim joints in my 80. They work great!
This post was EXCELLENT! Both the Bill of Materials AND the vendor were spot on, and the parts were of excellent quality.