64 Strut Rod Size?

[M W.]

Hi all,

Can someone give me the exact diameter size of original strut rods used in 64 please? During the last judging I was told mine are the incorrect size. This was a first for me. Any help is appreciated.

Thanks,
Craig W.

[Wayne M.]

Re: 64 Strut Rod Size?

Hi all,

Can someone give me the exact diameter size of original strut rods used in 64 please? During the last judging I was told mine are the incorrect size. This was a first for me. Any help is appreciated....

This is off a low-mile Jan/Feb 1964 car. Rod diameter is 3/4" (0.74-0.755"; varies).

Do you have the heat shields shown on the bracket ? Does the '63-4 TIM&JG mention these ?

[Curt C.]

Re: 64 Strut Rod Size?

Craig, I went and checked mine and they are the same as Wayne said (My car is a Feb. car as well). Plus, I had wondered what those shields were for. My 66 does not have them.

[Alan D.]

Re: 64 Strut Rod Size?

Mar64; 0.740" and no heat shield!

[Harry S.]

Re: 64 Strut Rod Size?

The heat shields were 63 and early 64 only.

[M W.]

Re: 64 Strut Rod Size?

Thanks all.

Craig

[Wayne M.]

Re: 64 Strut Rod Size?

Hi all,

Can someone give me the exact diameter size of original strut rods used in 64 please? During the last judging I was told mine are the incorrect size. This was a first for me. Any help is appreciated...

Craig -- is there a possibility the judge was referring to the eyelet that the bushing is inserted into ? After reading the '65 TIM&JG (the only one I have), the wording says "original strut rods have a 1_1/4" diameter steel enclosed rubber bushing in each end. Current replacements are bigger in diameter..." IMO, there's room for misinterpretation.

Pic below shows '65 original rod end with original bushing, in tough shape . Replacement (service) bushing (to be installed) has a thin steel sleeve (but less rubber than original). The OD of the sleeve is exactly 1.20". Hydraulic force is required to insert this into the rod eyelet, making the strut end eyelet ID a few thousandths less for the interference fit. Original bushings do NOT have the steel sleeve.

The OD of the rod end eyelet is about 1.5" (not completely circular). IMO, it would be difficult to estimate the diameter of the bushing as installed in the strut rod bracket.

However, if you have the later design strut rod (I forget the MY this started, bud definitely somewhere in the C3 era) there is a markedly larger diameter end bushing and eyelet. I don't have the dimensions, but maybe others can provide. This is perhaps what the judge was referring to.

[Joe L.]

Re: 64 Strut Rod Size?

Craig -- is there a possibility the judge was referring to the eyelet that the bushing is inserted into ? After reading the '65 TIM&JG (the only one I have), the wording says "original strut rods have a 1_1/4" diameter steel enclosed rubber bushing in each end. Current replacements are bigger in diameter..." IMO, there's room for misinterpretation.

Pic below shows '65 original rod end with original bushing, in tough shape . Replacement (service) bushing (to be installed) has a thin steel sleeve (but less rubber than original). The OD of the sleeve is exactly 1.20". Hydraulic force is required to insert this into the rod eyelet, making the strut end eyelet ID a few thousandths less for the interference fit. Original bushings do NOT have the steel sleeve.

The OD of the rod end eyelet is about 1.5" (not completely circular). IMO, it would be difficult to estimate the diameter of the bushing as installed in the strut rod bracket.

However, if you have the later design strut rod (I forget the MY this started, bud definitely somewhere in the C3 era) there is a markedly larger diameter end bushing and eyelet. I don't have the dimensions, but maybe others can provide. This is perhaps what the judge was referring to.

Wayne and Craig------


The ROD OD is the same for all 63-82 Corvettes----3/4". The bushing orifice size differs:

63-74------1-1/4"

75-79------1-3/8"

80-82------1-3/8"

The 1975-79 rods have been SERVICE for 63-74 since about 1976. The 80-82 rods have an offset configuration and are uniquely applicable to those years.

[Alan D.]

Re: 64 Strut Rod Size?

Thanks Joe, was beginning to wonder if mine were correct.

I just replaced mine. Th old rubber id d=1.175 and once the metal is inserted it expands to 1.225 (the subject bushings are out for these measurements) The inside d=0.85. While the repo bushings have an inside d=0.90 - larger and outside diameter appears to be the same as originals.

Found that the repo metal pins are right on. The bushing came split making the insert very simple since one does not have to push the larger bushing end through the strut. And metal pin can be done on a bench vise.

I'm NOT sure I like the set up! Has anyone had problems with these split bushing????