1960 Rear axle strut rod bracket location?

[Rodney R.]

I am repairing a rotted 1960 frame. I've replaced the frame sections behind the rear body mounts but do not have a location for the strut rod brackets and any frame drawings I have do not show a location. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to locate these brackets accurately?

[Frank D.]

Re: 1960 Rear axle strut rod bracket location?

I will look at my Noland Adams C1 restoration guide and tech reference later today but not sure if precise measurements are there, but maybe some helpful pictures..

[Dan L.]

Re: 1960 Rear axle strut rod bracket location?

With the strut mounted to the rear axle and the frame bracket bolted to the strut, align it on the frame and mark it, weld it. That’s it. Be sure all four wheels are on the ground.
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[Rodney R.]

Re: 1960 Rear axle strut rod bracket location?

Thanks for the advice. I'm working with a bare frame and was concerned that when I install the rear end that there may be some variation in its position so that when I bolted on the strut rods they may not fall in the correct position. Would you have a dimension from the .500 " tooling hole on the frame to the center of the strut rod bracket slot where the strut rod bolts to?

Thanks again for your help.

Regards,

Rod reid

[Dan L.]

Re: 1960 Rear axle strut rod bracket location?

I can get you that measurement but I installed these on my ‘54. Are the frames identical? Will the measurement be the same?
This can be done fairly easily with the car assembled, just a thought.

[Rodney R.]

Re: 1960 Rear axle strut rod bracket location?

I have as a reference Joseph A. Tripoli Jr.'s "Corvette Chassis Restoration Guide". In it he states" The 1953 to 1962 frame remained essentially the same, with minor variations...." Likewise the included frame drawing in his guide shows just one drawing labelled "1953-1962 Corvette Chassis, from 1953-1962 Corvette Shop Manual". I used this drawing to fabricate and position the replacement frame sections and as well position the rear cross member which should get the leaf springs in the correct position. If you could provide a dimension from the .500" hole in the frame to the center of the mounting strut rod position this will give me an added reference to give me a check on final positioning of the bracket following your suggestion of bolting the strut rod to the axle housing and the bracket while loose and positioning to the frame.

Thanks again for your assistance.

Regards,

Rod Reid

[Dan L.]

Re: 1960 Rear axle strut rod bracket location?

Rod, sorry I can’t get an accurate measurement and you’ll need it accurate. I’m only one man here. LOL. I don’t want to lead you wrong.

[Rodney R.]

Re: 1960 Rear axle strut rod bracket location?

Dan, no problem, I understand. I'm waiting for my brackets to come in, they are backordered from Paragon. I'm surprised your brackets have a slotted hole for the strut rod bolt? Maybe that's a clue on how accurate things need / can be?

Rod

[Chuck B.]

[Rodney R.]

Re: 1960 Rear axle strut rod bracket location?

Hi Chuck, thanks for the measurement. It just adds a reference to verify positioning. Hopefully the brackets from Paragon match the original. Is your bracket 2.25" wide? Do you think it's 4" ctr. to ctr. with the frame hole and the lower slot on the strut rod bracket?

Appreciate the help,

Rod

[Chuck B.]

Re: 1960 Rear axle strut rod bracket location?

Rod,

The bracket is 2.25 inches wide. The distance from the center of the hole in the frame to the center of the elongated hole in the bracket is 4 1/4 “.
let me know if there is another measurement that will help you get the bracket located correctly.

Chuck

[Rodney R.]

Re: 1960 Rear axle strut rod bracket location?

Chuck, thanks for the help. Can you get a measurement from the center of the strut rod mounting hole on the bracket to the frame hole? As long as my new bracket matches yours the 4.25" dimension should do it. If my bracket doesn't have the lower hole then the dimension from the actual mounting hole would be required.

Again thanks for the help it is greatly appreciated.

Rod

[Chuck B.]

359788E2-BFD7-4BD9-B8FA-C64030E1405E.jpg o without unbolting things. 7 11/16 between the center of the bolts.

[Rodney R.]

Re: 1960 Rear axle strut rod bracket location?

Chuck, that's perfect! Thanks for your efforts. It gives me confidence that I can position the bracket accurately without worry that I have changed pinion angles or other silly things. I'm surprised this hasn't come up before in this forum, but now thanks to you there is a record.

Again lots of thanks,


Rod