Rear Competition Strut Rods
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,453
Likes: 976
From: RI, Now Franklin/Nashville TN
Rear Competition Strut Rods
I have a 78 L-82 4 Spd with the Gymkhana Suspension (F-41). I currently have a 360 composite rear spring, Bilstein Sport Shocks, and OEM strut rods with Poly bushings. I am thinking of changing to the rear strut rods from Mid America that are on sale for $189 with free shipping (see below):
The ultimate in rear strut rods, our tubular steel, racing quality units are manufactured with nylon fiberglass composite spherical bearing ends. These strut rods are far stronger than stock and stop handling irregularities due to strut rod flex and bushing compression. Not recommended for street use because of harsh ride.
Does anyone have these strut rods and how is the ride compared to my current setup of OEM rods with poly bushings? I don't mind a stiffer ride but I am concerned about their warning of not recommended for street use.
The ultimate in rear strut rods, our tubular steel, racing quality units are manufactured with nylon fiberglass composite spherical bearing ends. These strut rods are far stronger than stock and stop handling irregularities due to strut rod flex and bushing compression. Not recommended for street use because of harsh ride.
Does anyone have these strut rods and how is the ride compared to my current setup of OEM rods with poly bushings? I don't mind a stiffer ride but I am concerned about their warning of not recommended for street use.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,695
Likes: 65
From: Kissimmee fl
Finalist 2021 C3 of the Year - Modified
2017 C3 of Year Finalist
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
I assembled my own set of adjustable strut rods with similar rod ends. I do not feel any adverse ride conditions from them. Just don't go overboard with the inner setting. ( all the way down is for drag racing as I understand it.) 
Last edited by c69vete; Aug 2, 2008 at 10:07 PM.
Drifting
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,462
Likes: 43
From: Choctaw Country
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,305
Likes: 2
From: Lewisburg WV
thegazman
I have a 79 L-82. I installed an adjustable strut rod, but with poly bushings. They helped my rear suspensions on curves, but still give me a smooth ride. Mid America part number 602-896. They work well if you're not doing all out racing.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,453
Likes: 976
From: RI, Now Franklin/Nashville TN
From the two responses above, you would recommend the adjustable struts rods with polyurethane bushings, not the spherical end units. I was asking about the spherical end strut rods. I have OEM strut rods with the polyurethane bushings myself for the last 23 years and these units have been fine except for the occassional squeak. The adjustable units with poly bushings from mid america eliminate the cam bolt system which is my primary goal since the oem units do not hold the toe alignment well and do flex under load. Any other thoughts?
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,305
Likes: 2
From: Lewisburg WV
thegazman
JB...I realize you were asking about the spherical end untis for strut rods. I was just giving you an alternative that works well. The adjustable rods with poly ends adjust easily and hold their adjustment. Plus, you save a little money. The only modification I did was from an article I read in Corvette Fever. I took the bracket that holds the strut rod to the differential to a shop and had the tabs that hold the strut rod adjusters welded on the outside for extra strenght. This weld was recommended for even stock cam adjusters as the u-shaped tab is not much more than spot welded at the factory.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,453
Likes: 976
From: RI, Now Franklin/Nashville TN
JB...I realize you were asking about the spherical end untis for strut rods. I was just giving you an alternative that works well. The adjustable rods with poly ends adjust easily and hold their adjustment. Plus, you save a little money. The only modification I did was from an article I read in Corvette Fever. I took the bracket that holds the strut rod to the differential to a shop and had the tabs that hold the strut rod adjusters welded on the outside for extra strenght. This weld was recommended for even stock cam adjusters as the u-shaped tab is not much more than spot welded at the factory.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 222
Likes: 3
From: Campbell CA
I would go with the rod end setup. Poly bushings are great for joints that just pivot, but the strut rods have to twist a few degrees as they pivot. This doesn't allow smooth movement. It also tries to loosen the jam nuts. The poly is supposed to cut down or eliminate deflection while isolating road noise. I didn't find road noise to be an issue with the rod ends. The real noise isolation happens at the cross member mounts, the trailing arm, and the front diff mount. If you're still convinced the poly struts are better, I have a set for sale with less than 50 miles on 'em 
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,946
Likes: 28
From: Long Beach CA
I was told the same thing when I bought rods with spherical ends....not recommended for street use. I didn't listen. Several years later, one of the rod ends cracked, and I had to limp home with very excessive negative camber on one wheel.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,453
Likes: 976
From: RI, Now Franklin/Nashville TN
I was at a corvette show yesterday and spoke to someone with the smart struts frm VBP. He says he loves them. Was your failure from "street use" or would they have failed on the track regardless? Did they improve the handling and how did the spherical end strut rods effect the ride. Were they greaseable ends and did you maintain the grease? Who did you buy them from. The ones from Mid america are suppose to be far stronger than the OEM's and are not recommended for street use since they make the ride stiffer, which is ok by me. Thoughts?
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,112
Likes: 28
From: Florida
There is no reason you can't use these on the street. They just tighten up the movement and make it move more freely at the same time.
No difference in road feel at all other than the rear will feel a little tighter. I wouldn't consider anything less.
It is less expensive than anything else including stock replacements.
I assembled my own from parts from Speedway. There are also the rubber seals that will prevent any undue wear on the joints.
These are very high quality joints, don't know how they compare to the preassembled struts. Here is description of the joint.
If anyone is interested, here are the part no's for the rear struts. A little over a hundered bucks.
You can use a pipe or small strap wrench to hold the tube while locking the nuts, but some nuts welded to the tubes makes it easier using 2 wrenches.
No difference in road feel at all other than the rear will feel a little tighter. I wouldn't consider anything less.
It is less expensive than anything else including stock replacements.
I assembled my own from parts from Speedway. There are also the rubber seals that will prevent any undue wear on the joints.
These are very high quality joints, don't know how they compare to the preassembled struts. Here is description of the joint.
These chrome moly rod ends have close tolerance and a 3 piece, extreme duty rod end. Heat treated, 4130 Chrome Moly steel body. Hard chrome, heat treated ball to support heavy shock loads. Injection molded Kevlar/teflon liner to seal out dirt and debris. Super strength chrome moly rod ends are available with same size shank and thru hole, as well as mixed size shank and thru hole.
Applications: Steering & Suspension For Racing & High Horsepower Applications. Kevlar/Teflon Race Reduces Slop & Eliminates Binding To Provide Smooth & Precise Movement Of Steering & Suspension The Ultimate In Strength & Durability.
Applications: Steering & Suspension For Racing & High Horsepower Applications. Kevlar/Teflon Race Reduces Slop & Eliminates Binding To Provide Smooth & Precise Movement Of Steering & Suspension The Ultimate In Strength & Durability.
If anyone is interested, here are the part no's for the rear struts. A little over a hundered bucks.
You can use a pipe or small strap wrench to hold the tube while locking the nuts, but some nuts welded to the tubes makes it easier using 2 wrenches.