Adjustable Struts

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Dec 5, 2020 | 04:33 PM

eddp

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Instructor

Joined: Jun 2019

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Adjustable Struts

Can you tell that my winter project is my rear end???
I'm debating between replacing the strut bushings, buying new struts with the bushings already in, or switching to the adjustable struts.
A shop is doing the work, so a factor related to price is new vs labor to press old bushing out and new in.
I'd like adjustable, but have heard that the lock nuts sometime vibrate loose and the camber may change over time. Has anyone used adjustable and is that true?
Looking for comments, especially from those who have used them, pro or con.

Dec 5, 2020 | 04:49 PM

Eric P

Drifting

Joined: Aug 2019

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I just ordered the Smart Struts from Van Steel with the racing hiem ends for my 1980 . The Smart Struts are supposed to keep the rear camber from changing as much throughout the suspension travel compared to stock style. I’m still waiting for my order so can’t tell you much more than that

Dec 5, 2020 | 05:04 PM

4-vettes

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From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

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I put the adjustable strut rods in my car a good 25 years ago. got super tired of trying to get the camber correct with the factory setup. just when I had it set perfect , tighten up the bolt on the eccentric. and it would move! Adjustable rods, I can get perfect.
recently I was doing a alignment, had to get the torch out to get one end of the right hand rod loose.
both lock nuts would have to come loose in order for the camber to change. if things are properly tightened down. I would think this would be highly unlikely.

Dec 5, 2020 | 08:43 PM

drwet

Melting Slicks

Joined: Dec 2009

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From: Thunder Bay

Quote:

Originally Posted by eddp

I think whoever told you that had it backwards. The factory setup was notorious for going out of whack. I have had adjustable struts for over 25 years and they are the solution to the problem. The only reason to stick with the factory setup is if originality’s is important to you.

Dec 6, 2020 | 05:29 AM

Bikespace

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Joined: Mar 2017

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From: Virginia

My heim-jointed strut rod upgrade quickly ballooned into a complete rear end rebuild, so I can't say how big of a difference was just from the strut rods. Overall it was a huge improvement, so the strut rods were at least a very big improvement.

With thousands of miles on two cars, no camber change from loose nuts.

Last edited by Bikespace; Dec 6, 2020 at 05:31 AM.

Dec 8, 2020 | 10:23 PM

Sky65

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Joined: Nov 2003

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From: Maryland

St. Jude Donor '05, '09, '15

I put adjustable strut rods from VBP on my 65 about 12 years ago. I had trouble with the jam nuts coming loose a couple times. The rods used polyurethane bushings. I changed the ends to heim joints and no more problems. If you look at the outer ends they have to twist and rotate. I think that is why they came loose. I think poly is too hard for the twisting action and rotated the end loosening the jam nut. I strongly suggest heim joint ends on the adjustable rods.

Tom

Dec 9, 2020 | 04:11 AM

theandies

Team Owner

Joined: Jun 2001

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From: Virginia USA

I've had Van Steel adjustable Smart Struts on my '71 for about 20 years without issues. I painted witness marks on the nuts so I can quickly see if they've backed off after reading about them before the upgrade. It's easy to see since I don't run a spare tire carrier.