strut rods bent?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: petersburg Mi
strut rods bent?
all the pictures of strut rods i see are straight. On my 78 they are bent at about half the lenghth to the end .I measured and they both the same so i dont think its damage . Did they come from factory like that or do i have some that someones changed going to do rear bearings and want to get as much info as i can before i start. any info would be a help thanks in advance Dale
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 2,845
Likes: 2
From: Apex NC
Re: strut rods bent? (drm78)
Dale, this is a very common "bubba" mechanic technique. It usually means that the strut rod bushings and/or rear side yokes have excessive wear, and the camber bolts did not have enough adjustment range to get the rear camber set within spec.
My advice would be to perform a complete inspection of the rear suspension to find out the root cause. Replace the strut rods with new ones of your choosing when you make the necessary repairs to fix the primary culprit.
Shannon
My advice would be to perform a complete inspection of the rear suspension to find out the root cause. Replace the strut rods with new ones of your choosing when you make the necessary repairs to fix the primary culprit.
Shannon
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 5,635
Likes: 4
From: Orlando Floriduh
Re: strut rods bent? (drm78)
You will most likely find that the side yokes are worn and they will need to be replaced. They wear on the end inside the differential so you will need to remove the diffential. Left unchecked the geomtry of the reas cannot be held . This is a common Bubba fix but it still doesn't correct the problen.. There should be no in/out play in the side yokes when you remove the halfshafts. Replacement yokes have hardened ends so they actually are better.
[Modified by bluevetteman, 5:07 PM 3/29/2004]
[Modified by bluevetteman, 5:07 PM 3/29/2004]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
Re: strut rods bent? (bluevetteman)
:iagree:
With everyone else here. My yokes were worn. My struts were bent.
I have new yokes. I have adjustable strut rods.
You won't regret the change.
:seeya
With everyone else here. My yokes were worn. My struts were bent.
I have new yokes. I have adjustable strut rods.
You won't regret the change.
:seeya
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Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,188
Likes: 4,010
From: Connecticut, USA
Re: strut rods bent? (NHvette)
I rather use the stock rods and fix the other problems. I've heard of several guys here that have had problems with the adjustables loosening up.
My .02-Sometimes I think we over engineer these cars.
Gary
My .02-Sometimes I think we over engineer these cars.
Gary
Racer
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 350
Likes: 0
From: Woodward Ok
Re: strut rods bent? (drm78)
I have also seen service station jockeys (back when there were service stations) raise these cars up on lifts contacting the strut rods.
You gotta watch people constantly around these cars.
You gotta watch people constantly around these cars.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 4,101
Likes: 10
From: NorCal
Re: strut rods bent? (gtr1999)
I have had the smart struts loosen, but they're locktighted now and work fine. No way am I going back, as the adjustability and improved handling offset any negatives. Just the drop bracket is a big bonus.
Hans
Hans
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 2,897
Likes: 0
From: Moon Township PA
Re: strut rods bent? (gtr1999)
Nothing wrong with OEM style strut rods and standard components. Most catalog companies will sell you what you need if you don't want the adjustable route. While you are under there, look at your ujoints too.
Gary
Gary
Race Director
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 10,258
Likes: 1
From: Calif.
Re: strut rods bent? (drm78)
As said before, sometimes "mechanics" will bend the strut rods on purpose to make up for slop in the bushings. Other times, bent strut rods can be directly attributed to morons using the rods as jacking points. :banghead:
