C2 Rear Suspension Question

[Kevin Brown]

How much, if any, "offset" or "bend" should be in a midyear strut rod? I have read that they should be perfectly straight (referring to the shaft between the two "eyes" where the bushings go.) Is this correct? Both of mine have a noticable "crook" in the shaft. If I place a straightedge alongside the shaft, there is about one and a half inches of offset between the two "eyes." Could they be bent that bad?

[Shane G.]

Re: C2 Rear Suspension Question

They should be straight. When the end bushings wear, the bushing center to bushing center length of the strut rod increases. It appears that yours were bent, probably to decrease the center to center length and allow rear wheel alignment to fall into (or at least closer to) spec. It was often done as a poor substitute for the replacement of the strut rods, or replacement of the strut rod bushings. I personally would replace them and not even mess around with trying to bend them back.

Good luck,

Shane

[Myles Kukurudz]

Re: C2 Rear Suspension Question

Hi Kevin,
The strut rods should be straight, I believe sometimes the "quickie" shops would bend them to get the rear within the alignment specs instead of repairing the issue or they may be the victim of the floor jack

Regards
Myles

[Joe L.]

Re: C2 Rear Suspension Question

Kevin----

The other responders have advised you correctly; the strut rods are supposed to be absolutely straight. Bent rods indicate a completely bogus methodology used to perform rear camber adjustment. It was VERY common in the old days; even Chevrolet dealers used this "trick".

What I'll add here is that the 63-74 style strut rods are GM-discontinued and are replaced for SERVICE by the 75-79 style rods. These rods have larger bushings and, functionally, are a better piece. They should install in your C2 bearing supports with no problem, but you may have to slightly enlarge the bushing machined radius on the inside surface of the bearing support to use them.

If you wish to retain the 63-74 style rods, then you will need to look for a pair of straight rods and rebuild them with new bushings which are still available from GM as well as Corvette suppliers. It may also be possible to straighten your rods. Originally, the were usually cold-bent and if you straighten them also without using heat, you will minimize strength loss. But, bending of the rods does compromise their integrity, to some degree. You can't change that fact.

[Donald O.]

Re: C2 Rear Suspension Question

Kevin

Rplace both bent rods. The bend for alignment fatigued the metal, and straightening will only do further harm towards very early failure. Use new bushings as well.

Don

[Kevin Brown]

C2 Rear Suspension Question

Thanks to all for the info and input, looks like I'll be adding strut rods to my restoration agenda. Both sides are bent close to the same amount and in the same place, so it appears this was done intentionally (the "alignment" trick?)rather than random accident damage, etc. How about the Shock mounts? If hold either side mount by the long part of the forging (the part that goes through the strut rod and spindle support), looking at the "back" of the elbow, (the shock mount stud would be pointing away) there is a definite 10/15 degree bend where the thick part of the forging ell is machined down to the shaft diameter. Is this incorrect also?

[Joe L.]

Re: C2 Rear Suspension Question

Kevin-----

That angle is as it should be. In fact, that angle is the primary reason that the shock mount shafts are side-specific.

[Bill Stephenson]

Re: C2 Rear Suspension Question

Kevin,

------Along with all the other good advice you have recieved,you should check the C-clips in the third member.Many times when they fail,and the stubs try to escape the axle case and the wheels cant in severly at the top,someone attempts,in vain,to fix things by jacking on the struts.............