63 Strut Rod Selection & Installation - NCRS Discussion Boards

63 Strut Rod Selection & Installation

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  • Andy (Member # 31563)

    63 Strut Rod Selection & Installation

    I am at a fork in the road and trying to decide which direction to go. After a decade of preparation and saving, I recently purchased my first Midyear, a 63 convertible L76. I do want to restore the car to as close to original as possible, but doubt that I will ever pursue competition or what have you.

    Anyway, the strut rods and camber bolts are toast, so I want to replace the camber bolts, strut rods, and lower shock mount. There are several options for replacing these parts, especially the strut rods. Do I go for the GM-style with rubber bushing,the OEM-style with urethane bushing, or the "Adjustable strut rod with easy adjustment"? What is the best way to go? Which supplier is preferred?

    Also, I intend to remove the Strut Rod Bracket and install the components as per the "1963 Corvette Shop Manual" instructions (section 4-6). Do you have any tips for this installation? I'm sure it's not going to be as easy as the figures shown in the manual. Of course, that is half the fun of finally owning this car. However, I am still a novice and am not afraid to ask for help. Let me know if you have any words of wisdom.

    Thanks
  • Joe L.
    Beyond Control Poster
    • February 1, 1988
    • 43193

    #2
    Re: 63 Strut Rod Selection & Installation

    Andy-----

    I would recommend using the original configuration strut rods. Your 1963 would have originally used forged strut rods with 1-1/4" bushings. These strut rods, GM #3819205, are long-since discontinued and are not accurately reproduced. If yours are not bent or sufferring from severe corrosion damage, you can rebuild them by installing new end bushings. These bushings are still available from GM under GM #3775762. You will need a press to install them, though. Otherwise, you will have to find a couple of usable used, original 63-74 rods and rebuild them. Another option is to use the 75-79 strut rod, GM #459076. This rod will SERVICE your application, but the configuration is somewhat different in that the end bushings are 1-3/8" diameter. The 459076 strut rod is still available from GM or in reproduction.

    The camber adjustment bolts for your car, last available under GM #458979, are discontinued. However, you can get these in reproduction or from Moog suspension parts distributors. The original camber bolts for your car MAY have been phosphate coated, but most replacements (and many originals) are zinc plated. Unlike the original GM SERVICE parts, most reproduction/replacements come as a set with both the camber bolt and the rear camber cam. The GM SERVICE parts were only supplied as seperate pieces.

    The strut rod/shock mount shafts are still available from GM under GM #3829265, left side and GM #3829266, right side. These are the HD shafts which are the only ones that have been available from GM during the past 20 years to SERVICE all 63-82 Corvette applications. Your 1963 originally used shafts GM #3820929, left and GM #3820930, right. These shafts are configured slightly differently than the replacement HD versions, but the HD will function perfectly. The original shafts are NOT reproduced. The HD shafts are available from GM or from reproduction sources. Your original shafts should have the part numbers which I mentioned forged into them. The original PRODUCTION and later SERVICE GM HD shafts also had their part numbers forged into them. However, current GM SERVICE shafts have the part number laser printed on the shaft and there is no forging number. Reproductions have no numbers.

    Replacing the strut rods, strut rod bracket, and shock mounts is pretty straight-forward. You shouldn't find it too difficult if that's as far into the rear suspension as you get. Also, the orientation of the strut rod bracket is impossible to get wrong as one of the bracket mounting bolt holes is off-set to prevent improper installation.
    In Appreciation of John Hinckley

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