C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

strut rod shell?

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Old Jun 19, 2012 | 11:27 AM
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Default strut rod shell?

Hey guys im still working on the energy suspension bushing kit on the rear suspension and i have a couple of
questions and need help from the pros/

1) on the strut rod what are the shells they speak of? im afraid i threw mines away. as of now i have the strut rod with different size holes on the end. it says i have to reuse my metal sleeve? with is this and how would i re order one if need be?

2) (PLEASE DON'T LAUGH AT ME TOO HARD) I HAVE THAT STICK *** LUBE FROM THE KIT ON THE ALUMINUM PARTS FROM INSTALLING DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY TRICKS ON GETTING THIS STUFF OFF?
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Old Jun 19, 2012 | 12:57 PM
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Originally Posted by nomad253
2) (PLEASE DON'T LAUGH AT ME TOO HARD) I HAVE THAT STICK *** LUBE FROM THE KIT ON THE ALUMINUM PARTS FROM INSTALLING DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY TRICKS ON GETTING THIS STUFF OFF?
Even Google Translator didn't work on this one

I'll guess that you're trying to remove the sticky grease you used from the aluminum parts. If so, brake cleaner usually works pretty well as does any solvent based wax & grease remover.
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Old Jun 19, 2012 | 01:01 PM
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ok thanks for the input, how about the shells oe sleeves it is asking for in regards to the strut rod? im sure someone has ran into this. and yes im still searching thru the forum now.
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Old Jun 19, 2012 | 01:50 PM
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Originally Posted by nomad253
ok thanks for the input, how about the shells oe sleeves it is asking for in regards to the strut rod? im sure someone has ran into this. and yes im still searching thru the forum now.
I'd pick up the phone and call the bushing manufacturer. The OE shells are not sold separately, so you would either need to have some made or buy another set of OEM parts and then remove the bushings in order to get the shells.

Typically poly bushings do not get installed inside the OE bushing shells, so this surprises me.
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Old Jun 19, 2012 | 02:41 PM
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Yep...
I'd call the mfg and get some more sleeves or shells...the steel sleeve I have seen re-used but not the bushing.The "kit" mfg should be able to provide replacements or the specs so you can find something locally.

In regard to your aluminium....
IF you can be carefull and are willing to work at it just a little....
Eagle-1etching aluminum wheel wash will clean up any strut or dog bone or even the bat-wing BUT you absolutely cannot allow even the fumes to get on or near the composite leaf spring..it'll break it. Chemical reaction that GM issued a bulletin regarding the cracking of springs when exposed to certain automotive chemicals...ask me how I know..

The wash makes the alum look like new but you have to keep it off of plastics and rubber, or any resin based product. Apply, scrub if necessary, wait, rinse with water. Brand new.

Last edited by leesvet; Jun 19, 2012 at 02:43 PM.
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Old Jun 19, 2012 | 03:18 PM
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I believe the generic instructions are the problem, as I had no sleeves to re-use on my 86.
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Old Jul 3, 2012 | 12:29 PM
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i called Energy suspension to try and get a replacement from them, they told me to check a junk yard./ cause id never find another one this is holding up the rebuilding of the suspension. anyone happen to have a spare???? id pay of course
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Old Jul 3, 2012 | 03:22 PM
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What year suspension are you using ?

As I said earlier, there are zero parts re-used from my 86 OEM bushings. I just finished the ES installation from front to back.

Also, as I stated in your other ES thread, every bushing has a part number cast into it and the instructions list what part number goes where.
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Old Jul 3, 2012 | 03:36 PM
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Originally Posted by AGENT 86
What year suspension are you using ?

As I said earlier, there are zero parts re-used from my 86 OEM bushings. I just finished the ES installation from front to back.

Also, as I stated in your other ES thread, every bushing has a part number cast into it and the instructions list what part number goes where.
the suspension is from 1991. and there are different eye holes sizes on different strut rods. if you purchased a hyper flex kit they gave u bushings for both sizes. some strut rods have matching eye holes and others have larger diameters on one end. that is mine.

i understand the parts are marked how ever im pretty sure im NOT using the wrong bushing s i have called ES and confirmed.


anyone else able to help me locate a set of those shells?
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Old Jul 3, 2012 | 03:52 PM
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Originally Posted by nomad253
the suspension is from 1991. and there are different eye holes sizes on different strut rods. if you purchased a hyper flex kit they gave u bushings for both sizes. some strut rods have matching eye holes and others have larger diameters on one end. that is mine.

i understand the parts are marked how ever im pretty sure im NOT using the wrong bushing s i have called ES and confirmed.


anyone else able to help me locate a set of those shells?
I would think you'll need a set of rods and I wouldn't think them that difficult to come by. Where are you located? I might have a set of rods with recent ES bushings installed. I'd need to check and that could be a couple days with the "holiday" mid-week. If I do have a set the bushings would be red "no graphite"! I believe that's the only difference red to black.
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Old Jul 3, 2012 | 04:07 PM
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Good grief. Here: http://www.vetteweb.com/tech/vet_031...all/index.html

No shells are required, just like everyone has been telling you. Agent 86 doesn't have any "shells" in his. I don't have any in my '96. I didn't have any in my '90. There are another couple hundred links out there, with pictures, that show the same thing.
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Old Jul 3, 2012 | 05:20 PM
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Originally Posted by 96GS#007
Good grief. Here: http://www.vetteweb.com/tech/vet_031...all/index.html

No shells are required, just like everyone has been telling you. Agent 86 doesn't have any "shells" in his. I don't have any in my '96. I didn't have any in my '90. There are another couple hundred links out there, with pictures, that show the same thing.
I've never done a bushing replacement using ES but like those "that have" mention there's "no sleeve" in the OE rod I'd defer to those who have accomplished the replacement! It would make sense I believe for the rods to have no steel outer sleeve since they're aluminum. Were they steel of sorts I believe you'd see metal clad bushings.

Like "Agent86" mentions the "generic instructions" have created the nuisance BUT you mention "tossing" them. I'm guessing there likely weren't any to "toss"! How long ago did you remove the bushings.

You've got parts, you've been directed to a pretty in depth tutorial and a couple very responsible parties have expressed their experiences. Time to move on and report back!!

I did check the struts I've got. Are they ES? Don't know BUT I see no evidence of a metal sleeve used for the outer diameter to the strut. They are RED!

Last edited by WVZR-1; Jul 3, 2012 at 05:24 PM.
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Old Jul 10, 2012 | 04:51 PM
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Ok guys what i am saying is the inner metal sleeve/bushing from the OE bushing, you are to re use this metal part. i threw mine away.

if your strut rods have different size holes on the end you need o keep theese fir any one else in the future.


thanks almost all for your help
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