Adjustable Struts
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 232
Likes: 14
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.
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.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 1,508
Likes: 495
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
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,191
Likes: 7,790
From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
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.
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.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,229
Likes: 656
From: Thunder Bay
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.
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.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,927
Likes: 4,497
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.
With thousands of miles on two cars, no camber change from loose nuts.
Last edited by Bikespace; Dec 6, 2020 at 05:31 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 5,771
Likes: 694
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
Tom
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 23,367
Likes: 1,061
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.
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