Smart Struts have low IQ
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,253
Likes: 1
From: East China MI
Smart Struts have low IQ
I have used VBP Smart Struts for years on different vettes with no problems, but this time around I just can't keep them from comming loose. Loctite blue is not doing it for me. I am thinking of drilling through the nuts and pinning them. What do you guys think?
:banghead:
:banghead:
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,253
Likes: 1
From: East China MI
Re: Smart Struts have low IQ (Larry82)
Yes, I did talk to VBP. They said one of two causes. 1. Bad harmonics from anything loose such as rear trans yoke or U joint. 2. Reversed stut rod so nuts tend to loosen.
I have just rebuilt the drivetrain from the drive shaft back so I will try the reverse trick and see if that works.
Has anybody else been down this road and what cured it for you?
:smash:
I have just rebuilt the drivetrain from the drive shaft back so I will try the reverse trick and see if that works.
Has anybody else been down this road and what cured it for you?
:smash:
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 4,101
Likes: 10
From: NorCal
Re: Smart Struts have low IQ (jpatrick636)
Yep, happens to mine as well. I check them often, and I've heard the same complaint from others on this forum. I do tend to do a lot of high load cornering, but I'm still surprised they do it. That said, I'm very happy with the resulting performance gain and adjustability.
By reversed, do they mean side to side, or end for end? I just put 'em on per direction...
Hans
By reversed, do they mean side to side, or end for end? I just put 'em on per direction...
Hans
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 6,692
Likes: 29
From: Texas
Re: Smart Struts have low IQ (jpatrick636)
Don't know about smart struts. Had some of their standard struts just installed Thursday last week by a GM dealer here in Houston. They were impressed by the quality. Great improvement in handling. Much more solid/stable now.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,951
Likes: 1
From: Shore NJ
Re: Smart Struts have low IQ (Larry82)
Have the smart struts here and I had the same problem with them loosening up, even thought about replacing the jamb nut with a heavier type nut grade 8. I applied Locktite blue and that seemed to do the trick. I even carry a small tube in the tool pouch just in case. I removed and restored my entire rear end and replaced all the components, ujoints, grade8 bolts,etc., any vibrations coming from the rear you can pick up on?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 9,206
Likes: 17
From: Sewell NJ
Re: Smart Struts have low IQ (jpatrick636)
Just wondering if you have room for 2 nuts on each end. One could be used as a jamb nut. Other than this I don't know what to say. I've had VB&P adjustable strut rods on my 74 for over 10 years and they've never come loose.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Re: Smart Struts have low IQ (vettfixr)
:iagree: 12-14 years and they have never come loose. I never use any glue either. I just set them and use my big Cresent wrench on the nut and a big open end on the rod.
VB&P probably has a good explaination also. I've always had some type of quality gas shocks and the rear sway might also help eliminate vibration.
VB&P probably has a good explaination also. I've always had some type of quality gas shocks and the rear sway might also help eliminate vibration.
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,253
Likes: 1
From: East China MI
Re: Smart Struts have low IQ (Wrencher)
By reversing them, they mean take the strut rod off at the cam and at the trailing arm and flip it end for end. The right hand and left hand nuts are then in the opposite locations.
One thing the tech guy mentioned was the fact that I have solid engine mounts, could induce some vibration into the mix that affect the situation. According to him, it's all about certain vibrations that seem to cause the problem.
[Modified by jpatrick636, 7:52 PM 10/13/2003]
One thing the tech guy mentioned was the fact that I have solid engine mounts, could induce some vibration into the mix that affect the situation. According to him, it's all about certain vibrations that seem to cause the problem.
[Modified by jpatrick636, 7:52 PM 10/13/2003]
