Rear Struts
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 344
Likes: 0
From: Jasper, GA
Rear Struts
I was wondering if anyone out there is running the Mid America Super Heavy Duty Competition Struts? OR... anything comparable? VBP? They are the ones with the solid eyes(bearing ends). I was wondering if these make alot of noise on the street..(rattling) and if they are a good replacement for this useless rubber bushing setup that seems to deteriorate and cause very poor handling?:mad Are the poly struts better? Do they last longer than the rubber bushings? :chevy
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,711
Likes: 43
From: San Antonio TX
Re: Rear Struts (Torcher)
Similar. I've had these Dick Guldstrand bars on since about 1988
Beefy bars and heim joints on both ends with a unique diff mount. He still has a set similar to this but uses the factory diff mount. No noise or harshness at all. I don't do any autocross or anything like that but my original bars were bent and these were the very best on the market at the time. Only downside to this design is that it was developed for racing and camber adjustment requires the bar to be removed since the threads are right-hand on both ends. It will never go out of whack but it's not as easy as a camber eccentric or a bar with both left and right threads.
Beefy bars and heim joints on both ends with a unique diff mount. He still has a set similar to this but uses the factory diff mount. No noise or harshness at all. I don't do any autocross or anything like that but my original bars were bent and these were the very best on the market at the time. Only downside to this design is that it was developed for racing and camber adjustment requires the bar to be removed since the threads are right-hand on both ends. It will never go out of whack but it's not as easy as a camber eccentric or a bar with both left and right threads.
C6 the C5 of tomorrow
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,665
Likes: 2
From: Twin Cities Minnesota
Re: Rear Struts (gerry72)
I run an aluminum rod with Heim joints. I've had it since about '99 and it's still good. I do autocross and they've survived some rough conditions :smash:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,000
Likes: 22
From: Boulder Creek California
Re: Rear Struts (Torcher)
I would think the lack of binding would quiet things down if anything.
You can put your own together, 4 heims, 2 rods, for about $70. You wouldn't have a center piece, but you could you the stock one, or adapt it for almost nothing.
-Chris
Edit: Right hand on both ends?? Is that so it wouldn't shake itself out of alignment?
[Modified by RUXperienced, 9:41 AM 2/11/2004]
You can put your own together, 4 heims, 2 rods, for about $70. You wouldn't have a center piece, but you could you the stock one, or adapt it for almost nothing.
-Chris
Edit: Right hand on both ends?? Is that so it wouldn't shake itself out of alignment?
[Modified by RUXperienced, 9:41 AM 2/11/2004]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,000
Likes: 22
From: Boulder Creek California
Re: Rear Struts (R. Bruno)
I should mention, at full droop my strut rods where utterly horribly bound up. I had to jack up the T/A when reinstalling just to get them into the bracket, and get the bolt through. T/A rotates through travel, body stays straight = binding. I'm going to Heim's back there for this reason, will have rods with nearly brand new poly bushings for sale at that time :D
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Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 12
From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Re: Rear Struts (RUXperienced)
You can put your own together, 4 heims, 2 rods, for about $70. You wouldn't have a center piece, but you could you the stock one, or adapt it for almost nothing.
I agree with RUXperienced. Coleman sells the center link, with left and right threads for under $10 each and 5/8th heim joints for under $15.00 each.
Put your own setup together and save alot.
I have about 16 heim joints on the car and some have been on for years. I don't like noise either but find my setup is fine.
I also like the easy adjustments with the left and right joints.
I agree with RUXperienced. Coleman sells the center link, with left and right threads for under $10 each and 5/8th heim joints for under $15.00 each.
Put your own setup together and save alot.
I have about 16 heim joints on the car and some have been on for years. I don't like noise either but find my setup is fine.
I also like the easy adjustments with the left and right joints.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 12
From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Re: Rear Struts (427V8)
Don't forget you need a left and right hand tap to do this...
The left hand tap is the hard one to find!
Coleman sells the center link , any size for under $10 and they already are taped left and right. No need for your own taps. Coleman also sells the left hand 5/8th tap for $19.
I order locally from Grisdale racing. I placed a fairly large oreder this moring. Their web site is http://www.grisdale.com
The left hand tap is the hard one to find!
Coleman sells the center link , any size for under $10 and they already are taped left and right. No need for your own taps. Coleman also sells the left hand 5/8th tap for $19.
I order locally from Grisdale racing. I placed a fairly large oreder this moring. Their web site is http://www.grisdale.com
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 344
Likes: 0
From: Jasper, GA
Re: Rear Struts (norvalwilhelm)
I measured my stock struts... from eye to eye they are 16 inches. If you want a sleeve measuremt.. it is 14.5 inches. again.. this is the stock strut. You could use anything between 14" and possibly 14.5 to have the same set up. I would go with the 14" as there is more room for adjustment. I will also wait for Norval to see what he comes up with. took me some time to find Colemans.. but i have, and I will probably go that way. I mean, if you can save $100.00,,,.... Why not! :smash: :cheers:
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 344
Likes: 0
From: Jasper, GA
Re: Rear Struts (Torcher)
ok.. anyone that has been following this thread might want to see this.. I found another thread that basically talks about the exact same thing.. so here goes. if interested.. look at this thread. http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=752239
:cheers: :seeya
:cheers: :seeya
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,000
Likes: 22
From: Boulder Creek California
Re: Rear Struts (gerry72)
Gah! It finally hit me. Looking at that first picture in this thread, all I need to make my own center piece is some rectangular tube and a way to cut it. I was worried I'd have to dump some serious money into having one fabricated, or going with the Smart Strut bracket, which would kindof sour the savings of the rods.
Sweet. Now... I want to have 2 positions, one for camber gain- for racing involving turns- and one like the smart-struts- zero camber change for drag racing...hmmm... Maybe use the mounting from the stock piece, and turn it vertically? Otherwise, I'll need exact measurements from a smart struts centerpiece, and somehow determine the ideal placement for the ideal amount of camber change, that way I can just put 2 holes.
Sweet. Now... I want to have 2 positions, one for camber gain- for racing involving turns- and one like the smart-struts- zero camber change for drag racing...hmmm... Maybe use the mounting from the stock piece, and turn it vertically? Otherwise, I'll need exact measurements from a smart struts centerpiece, and somehow determine the ideal placement for the ideal amount of camber change, that way I can just put 2 holes.
