C2 (1966) Strut Rod install

[Donald H.]

This related to a basically bare frame. I have installed the front suspension and started install the rear suspension. I installed the rebuilt trailing arms, differential, and leaf springs.

My question is, can I install the strut rods or should I wait for more weight on the chassis?

With the springs installed and very little weight on them, they push the trailing arms down to a point where the strut rod mounts are very much out of alignment with the strut rod mount points on the bracket under the differential. I will need to use a ratchet strap or something similar to pull the trailing arm up so that I can get both ends of the strut rods in place.

My concern is the torque this will be placing on the strut rod bushing and that it could and likely will sit this way for a few months.

Would it be better to wait until I have the engine, trans, and body back on the car, or am I worrying about nothing?

Thanks,

Don

[Jim S.]

Re: C2 (1966) Strut Rod install

This related to a basically bare frame. I have installed the front suspension and started install the rear suspension. I installed the rebuilt trailing arms, differential, and leaf springs.

My question is, can I install the strut rods or should I wait for more weight on the chassis?

With the springs installed and very little weight on them, they push the trailing arms down to a point where the strut rod mounts are very much out of alignment with the strut rod mount points on the bracket under the differential. I will need to use a ratchet strap or something similar to pull the trailing arm up so that I can get both ends of the strut rods in place.

My concern is the torque this will be placing on the strut rod bushing and that it could and likely will sit this way for a few months.

Would it be better to wait until I have the engine, trans, and body back on the car, or am I worrying about nothing?

Thanks,

Don

I would have suggested installing the strut rods BEFORE installing the leaf spring Is it too late for you to unbolt the spring ends, install the strut rods, and re-bolt the leaf spring?

[Donald H.]

Re: C2 (1966) Strut Rod install

I would have suggested installing the strut rods BEFORE installing the leaf spring Is it too late for you to unbolt the spring ends, install the strut rods, and re-bolt the leaf spring?

That would have been easier, but doesn't address my concern. If I had installed the strut rods first, then the spring, the spring tension would still put a lot of twist/torque on the strut rod bushings. I just don't know if this twist/torque will harm the strut rod bushing

[Jim S.]

Re: C2 (1966) Strut Rod install

That would have been easier, but doesn't address my concern. If I had installed the strut rods first, then the spring, the spring tension would still put a lot of twist/torque on the strut rod bushings. I just don't know if this twist/torque will harm the strut rod bushing

Shouldn't hurt anything.

[Joe L.]

Re: C2 (1966) Strut Rod install

That would have been easier, but doesn't address my concern. If I had installed the strut rods first, then the spring, the spring tension would still put a lot of twist/torque on the strut rod bushings. I just don't know if this twist/torque will harm the strut rod bushing

Don------


As long as you don't tighten the nuts on fasteners on each end of the strut rods, there should be no problems created for the bushings. Yes, there will be some "unusual compression" of the bushings but it should not harm them in any way. You should not tighten ANY of the suspension fasteners until the full weight of the car is on the suspension AND the suspension is normalized.

[Donald H.]

Re: C2 (1966) Strut Rod install

Thanks,

Don