74 Strut Rod?

[Todd L.]

I was ordering bushings for my 74's strut rods. There are two sizes available, my car has an inside diameter of 1 3/8". When I called to get the bushings I was told I needed the smaller diameter because I have a 74 and that the larger diameter are for 75 and newer cars. I have had a similar situation with the pivot bolts for the seats in my car. I ordered the E74 pivot bolts just to realize I needed the L74 bolts. My car has a Nov 16, 1973 build date. I understand running out of parts on the line and just grabbing what they have.

But the strut rods, is that legit?

Thanks

Todd

[Michael W.]

Re: 74 Strut Rod?

Yes. There's an easily discernible difference in the bushing sizes.

[Todd L.]

Re: 74 Strut Rod?

I guess what I am asking is, if the larger bushing size strut rods which I have are correct for a 74. Or should I have the strut rods with a smaller diameter bushing size?

[Michael W.]

Re: 74 Strut Rod?

AFAIK, the larger bushings appeared in '75 and not earlier. The large bushing strut rods have been sold by GM as service replacements for many years so possibly a previous owners swapped them at some point.

[Larry M.]

Re: 74 Strut Rod?

Todd:

If you are not having car judged, the larger diameter head strut rod is probably better for driving/daily use. As Mike said, they were sold for years as service replacements for all. If you want to go original, check out the strut rods sold by LICS. They are the small head, and about as correct as you will get. I have personally bought and installed them.

Larry

[Todd L.]

Re: 74 Strut Rod?

Thanks to everyone. I am staying with the service replacements, but just trying to figure out what the "story" is with the car. Thanks for the responses.

Todd

[Joe L.]

Re: 74 Strut Rod?

Thanks to everyone. I am staying with the service replacements, but just trying to figure out what the "story" is with the car. Thanks for the responses.

Todd

Todd------

I expect that your large bushing strut rods are replacements. I do not think that these were ever originally used on a 1974.

I do agree, however, that the larger bushing rods are functionally better than the smaller. For one thing, they will last a lot longer before the bushing "squeezes out". Also, you don't think that Chevrolet went to the larger bushing rods because the smaller ones worked just as well, do you?

[Todd L.]

Re: 74 Strut Rod?

Todd------
Also, you don't think that Chevrolet went to the larger bushing rods because the smaller ones worked just as well, do you?

I do see your point Joe. Thanks for the feedback, as always.
I am wondering if the strut rods were replaced to "beef" them up, or because they needed replaced for other reasons?

I may never know.

[Joe L.]

Re: 74 Strut Rod?

I do see your point Joe. Thanks for the feedback, as always.
I am wondering if the strut rods were replaced to "beef" them up, or because they needed replaced for other reasons?

I may never know.

Todd------


Two possible reasons:

1) The rubber portion of the bushings deteriorates, especially on the 1963-74 strut rods. Then, it's impossible to set a correct camber on the rear wheels. Once-upon-a-time, folks just replaced the strut rods rather than replace the bushings. Many folks did not even know that the replacement bushings were available, including Chevrolet dealer mechanics.

2) When a camber could not be set because of what's described above, a common "alternative" to replacing the bushings or strut rods was to bend the strut rods with a jack, thus effectively shortening the rods and allowing camber to be set. This may have once occurred to your car and some subsequent owner decided to replace the strut rods having found them bent.

[Todd L.]

Re: 74 Strut Rod?

Todd------


Two possible reasons:

1) The rubber portion of the bushings deteriorates, especially on the 1963-74 strut rods. Then, it's impossible to set a correct camber on the rear wheels. Once-upon-a-time, folks just replaced the strut rods rather than replace the bushings. Many folks did not even know that the replacement bushings were available, including Chevrolet dealer mechanics.

2) When a camber could not be set because of what's described above, a common "alternative" to replacing the bushings or strut rods was to bend the strut rods with a jack, thus effectively shortening the rods and allowing camber to be set. This may have once occurred to your car and some subsequent owner decided to replace the strut rods having found them bent.

Thank you for that. When I find pieces which are not original I get curious. When I purchased the car the rear bumper impact bolts were missing, the previous owner instead of replacing them with the correct part, just used regular nuts and bolts effectively taking away the 5mph bumper hit capability. I can almost see why they only used nuts and bolts, over the course of two years, I have only found one correct bolt.

I really appreciate the explanations. Thank you.