Strut Rod Bracket

[Pete Pritchett]

I'm doing a body off restoration working on the reassembly of the frame. After hanging the trailing arms and strut rods, I noticed the top of the strut rod bracket is sloped to the front. Is this common, normal, or what? The cam adjusting bolt appears to be at a slight angle also. Should the strut rod bracket be taken off and straightened?, ie. made flat on top? Can this be done without jeopardizing the integrity of the part?

[Joe L.]

Re: Strut Rod Bracket

Pete-----

I'm not sure what the "phenomenon" is that you're observing. However, I can tell you this: although there were 3 different strut rod brackets used during 63-79 period (63-67, 68-74, 75-79), NONE of these brackets have a "sloped" upper surface. Also, the differential case mounting surface is not "angle-milled" in any way.

Besides this fact, I've never seen one of these brackets that was distorted as you describe. Actually, I don't even see how it could occur on the car. However, if your bracket is, in fact, distorted, then I would recommend making no attempt to straighten or repair it. In that event, you need another bracket. Unfortunately, all of the brackets are GM-discontinued and, as far as I know, are not currently reproduced. Used examples which are not distorted are not that difficult to locate, though. The 63-67 bracket is uniquely configured and a later bracket cannot be used. The 2 brackets used for the 68-79 period are identical except for an extra "tab" used on the 75-79 version as a mounting point for an exhaust system heat shield.

[Scott Marzahl]

Interchangeability of Strut Rod Brackets

I read Joe's response and I recall reading somewhere that a 68 style bracket can be used on a mid year to lower the rear of the car slightly or enhance handling. I do not recall the specifics of this but I wonder if anyone else knows of this.

Scott Marzahl