Loose smart struts
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 4,101
Likes: 10
From: NorCal
Loose smart struts
After reading earlier posts about the lock nuts on the VB&P smart struts loosening up after a period of use, I have kept an eye on mine since I installed them a few months ago. Sure enough, both outside nuts came loose, even though I had tightened them to what I felt was plenty.
Sooo, has anyone solved this? I will obviously put a wrench to them often, as I much prefer the handling. Locktite is an option, but would that prevent adjustment in the future or maybe damage the threads if loosened? Lets hear it...
Hans
Sooo, has anyone solved this? I will obviously put a wrench to them often, as I much prefer the handling. Locktite is an option, but would that prevent adjustment in the future or maybe damage the threads if loosened? Lets hear it...
Hans
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
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From: Exiled to Richmond, VA - Finally sold my house in Murfreesboro, TN ?? Corner of "Bumf*&k and 'You've got a purdy mouth'."
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St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
Re: Loose smart struts (Wrencher)
Locktite Blue would be best in that case. The red is for parts you never want to pull apart again - ever.
Blue is a bit more forgiving and is a good thread locker.
Now I am off to climb under my car and check my struts... :leaving:
Blue is a bit more forgiving and is a good thread locker.
Now I am off to climb under my car and check my struts... :leaving:
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
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From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Re: Loose smart struts (Wrencher)
I've never had a problem!:) The last time I had to screw with them was when I came over for the Laguna historic race last fall to see you guys and I tore up the U-joint and half shaft.
That was an easy job. I unbolted the U-joints and the four wheel spindle bolts. then loosened the smart strut lock nuts and rotated the shaft 8 full turns. then lifted the half shaft out. Pressed the new U-Joints into the new shaft and reinstalled. Rotated it back 8 full turns and locked it down. So my camber was the same as before.
Then I was out having fun again.
Before I would locktight it, just put a bead of silicone then the nut couldn't rotate.
That was an easy job. I unbolted the U-joints and the four wheel spindle bolts. then loosened the smart strut lock nuts and rotated the shaft 8 full turns. then lifted the half shaft out. Pressed the new U-Joints into the new shaft and reinstalled. Rotated it back 8 full turns and locked it down. So my camber was the same as before.
Then I was out having fun again.
Before I would locktight it, just put a bead of silicone then the nut couldn't rotate.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,758
Likes: 3
From: Surrey
Re: Loose smart struts (BSeery)
Yup, I've used the blue stuf (Threadlocking) repeatedly on threads with no problems caused by it. For particularly bad loosening problems on bolts that need very infrequent attention I've had no problems using the red Stud 'n' Bearing fit (don't used the retaining compounds!!!! You'll never get it apart again).
I've never had a close look at the Smart Struts. Is there any way you can put an extra nut on to lock the locknut?
How much difference did the Smart Struts make? Are they worth the time & money to replace stock struts (with good bushes) with?
:cheers:
I've never had a close look at the Smart Struts. Is there any way you can put an extra nut on to lock the locknut?
How much difference did the Smart Struts make? Are they worth the time & money to replace stock struts (with good bushes) with?
:cheers:
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 4,101
Likes: 10
From: NorCal
Re: Loose smart struts (UKPaul)
Paul, I'm extremely happy with them, not withstanding the loosening nuts. I especially like two features. First, the eccentrics allow me to position the struts level respective to the halfshaft, reducing bump steer to a minimum. Second, it's very easy to dial in any degree of camber you like. I'm running one half degree negative at the moment. Cheers.
Hans
Hans
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,645
Likes: 11
From: Schaumburg IL
Re: Loose smart struts (Wrencher)
QUOTE
I've never had a close look at the Smart Struts. Is there any way you can put an extra nut on to lock the locknut?
How much difference did the Smart Struts make? Are they worth the time & money to replace stock struts (with good bushes) with?
Yes there is a way to install an extra nut to snug up on the other.
Alignment wise you have more control and setting of the rear camber than the stock with the eccentric. Strength I think is the same. If the bushings are the poly type they will outlast the bushings on the stock one.
Use Locktite Blue on all rear suspension parts. It keeps the nuts in place.
I've never had a close look at the Smart Struts. Is there any way you can put an extra nut on to lock the locknut?
How much difference did the Smart Struts make? Are they worth the time & money to replace stock struts (with good bushes) with?
Yes there is a way to install an extra nut to snug up on the other.
Alignment wise you have more control and setting of the rear camber than the stock with the eccentric. Strength I think is the same. If the bushings are the poly type they will outlast the bushings on the stock one.
Use Locktite Blue on all rear suspension parts. It keeps the nuts in place.
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Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,951
Likes: 1
From: Shore NJ
Re: Loose smart struts (Wrencher)
I had the same problem when I installed the smart struts. You can ad another locking nut or use the blue Locktite which I did. The locktite did the trick and the struts have not come out of alignment since. I also carry the tiny tube of Locktite (Pep Boys) in the emergency kit. The struts are still easy to adjust if needed even with the Locktite applied.... :thumbs:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
Re: Loose smart struts (Wrencher)
I don't have the smart struts - but do have the VBP adjustable strut rods -
circa 1999. After initial install, I tightened them and sure enough - as warned
by a friend - the nuts loosened up. I tightened them down more than enough -
and since then they have stayed put. Perhaps a little aging and corrosion and
dirt helped to keep them in place. Maybe it was me hanging from the wrench.
:seeya
circa 1999. After initial install, I tightened them and sure enough - as warned
by a friend - the nuts loosened up. I tightened them down more than enough -
and since then they have stayed put. Perhaps a little aging and corrosion and
dirt helped to keep them in place. Maybe it was me hanging from the wrench.
:seeya
