C2 BENT REAR STRUT BAR

[Rob A.]

Can a rear strut bar that's slightly bent, possibly from an attempt to improperly adjust the camber, be straigtened out in place? (I'm thinking maybe a small sledge hammer and a piece of wood). Sounds crude, but I don't want to remove it.

[Joe L.]

Re: C2 BENT REAR STRUT BAR

Rob-----

You might be able to straighten it "some" this way, although I doubt it. The chances of getting it "straight-to-the-eye" are probably near zilch. I think that removal and straightening it "off-car" is about the only way to do it right. Using an hydraulic press and a home-made "straigtening tool" is the best way to get the rod properly straightened. The "homemade" tool is made by taking a 15" length of steel pipe of 3/4" ID (or, slightly larger)and cutting it lengthwise at the point of major diameter.

[Joe L.]

Addendum

I forgot to mention, the "homemade tool" needs to have a piece if angle iron welded along the full length of the pipe to reinforce it.

[Rob A.]

JOE...THANKS FOR THE SUGGESTION *NM*

[Gary B.]

C2 BENT REAR STRUT BAR

Rob,

I don't know if you are aware of it, but Volunteer Vette Products in Tennessee makes very nice, small bushing, reproduction strut rods that sell for $30 each. If your current ones are also rusty or pitted, the repro ones are a nice alternative.

Gary

[Rob A.]

Re: C2 BENT REAR STRUT BAR

Thanks for the info. They're original and in pretty nice shape. I don't really need to straighten it, and I don't feel like removing the parts necessary to replace it. I'm still recovering from the frame-off on my '67 that just sold on ebay...

[Donald M.]

Re: C2 BENT REAR STRUT BAR

Rob, Yes, your strut rod(s) may have been bent deliberately to adjust rear camber, however there is another possibility, they could have been bent by a garage raising the vehicle on a two post lift with the wheel cradle disabled. What happens here is that the rear post comes up with a "fork" like affair which would usually rest on the solid axle housing. But on a mid-year it comes to rest on the strut rods and bends them like a soda straw. I have had 2 cars damaged by this method and both times we had to remove and straighten the rods. These types of lifts are old design and not used much any more, but a word of warning is worth it if anyone out there ever has his car worked on.
Don