C1 STRUT RODS

[Joe D.]

I am trying to replace my strut rod bushings on my 1961. Do the new bushings have to be pressed in? I ould appreciate any help. Thanks, Joe

[Dale Pearman]

Re: C1 STRUT RODS

They're called, "Radius Rods" and some silicone spray lubricant will you to install the bushings.

Dale Pearman

[David H.]

Re: C1 STRUT RODS

Joe; I just did mine the other day and the new style ones have a metel sleeve on the outside vs the old ones being molded right to the inside surface of the rod. I had to press mine in as they were .010" to .015" tight in the holes. DO NOT use liquid nitrogen or dry ice and alcohol on the bushings as this will ruin the rubber. David

[Gary B.]

David, why is freezing a problem?

David,

I can understand why a chemical, like alcohol, might attack and damage the rubber, but why does freezing per se cause a problem, unless one damages the frozen part in some way, like hitting it with a hammer and creating cracks, i.e., are you saying it's the freezing itself that causes damage or is it the handling/manipulation of the frozen part that causes the problem?

Thanks,

Gary

[David H.]

Re: David, why is freezing a problem?

Conventional freezing (20*f) will not hurt the rubber but liquid nitrogen or co2 is too cold and makes the rubber crack and come loose from the metal that it is bonded to. We discovered this at work while trying to install marine (bronze/rubber) bearings in a casting that we could not fit in the press.
I don't know the actual phisics that are taking place or the lowest temp. you can go without damage but it looked like the lower you go the worse it got. Maybe something to do with the vulcanizing process. David