1963 SWC strut rods

[Richard L.]

The original rear suspension strut rods on my 63 coupe are bent (to facilitate adjustment I'd guess by prior Bubba), rusty and ugly. I want to replace them with aftermarket tubular steel threaded adjustable ones instead of the factory stock cam bolt system. Any downside to this switch other than its incorrect originality? Ecklers, Corvette Central, or any other supplier recommended?
Thanks all for your advice.
Ric

[Jim L.]

Re: 1963 SWC strut rods

The rubber bushed originals allow for more compliance than any of the aftermarket struts. You might notice some increase in ride harshness with struts which do NOT have rubber bushings.

As to choice of struts, get struts with Heim joints instead of poly bushings. And, as to choice of Heims, there are greasable and non-greasable. Get non-greasable which are Teflon lined. These will last the longest.

[Edward J.]

Re: 1963 SWC strut rods

Rick, I prefer the rubber strut rods, stay away from anything with the poly bushing strut rods. Get yourself some new camber bolts if others are rusted. Most of the venders selll reproductions of the original strut rods and camber bolts.

[Richard L.]

Re: 1963 SWC strut rods

Jim,
I'm ready to rock 'n roll with your best suggestion (non-greasable heim joints) but so far I haven't been able to find any listed with the usual vendors. Can you recommend one that has them available and whose quality you trust?

The rubber bushed originals allow for more compliance than any of the aftermarket struts. You might notice some increase in ride harshness with struts which do NOT have rubber bushings.

As to choice of struts, get struts with Heim joints instead of poly bushings. And, as to choice of Heims, there are greasable and non-greasable. Get non-greasable which are Teflon lined. These will last the longest.

[Jim L.]

Re: 1963 SWC strut rods

FK Bearings makes good quality Heims. Here is an example which may or may not be the size you need:

https://www.mooreparts.com/teflon-lined-chromoly-heim-joint-3-4-hole-x-3-4-16-rht/

Also Aurora Bearings are very good but I'm having trouble posting a link to a site which carries them.

[Jim L.]

Re: 1963 SWC strut rods

Trying again:

https://secure.chassisshop.com/partlist/15956/

[Timothy B.]

Re: 1963 SWC strut rods

Richard,

Why not straighten the strut rods and press in new bushings along with new hardware (bolts etc.) Much less $$ and will work out great.

[Richard L.]

Re: 1963 SWC strut rods

Am I right in assuming that I have to piece together my own strut rods in order to use the heim joints you recommend? In other words, buy the rods, discard the polyurethane ends and substitute the heim ones? Sounds complicated and a bit on the expensive side. Frankly, I was hoping to buy them alltogether, already assembled, from one of the familiar vendors and ready to install--not possible?

[Tom E.]

Re: 1963 SWC strut rods

Richard,

perhaps this is what you are looking for.

https://www.jegs.com/i/Global+West/4...ABEgKrGfD_BwE#

Tom

[Jim L.]

Re: 1963 SWC strut rods

Richard,

perhaps this is what you are looking for.

https://www.jegs.com/i/Global+West/4...ABEgKrGfD_BwE#

Tom

Those will work well.

[Frank D.]

Re: 1963 SWC strut rods

I ordered replacement OEM-style 63 strut rods from Paragon and then decided to rebush and reuse my originals...by the time I was done fighting and torching out the old bushings and hand-cranking the NOS bushings in (I don't have a press - see pics) the repros arrived and were so nice I wish I had waited and just bolted those on - -- VERY well done repros IMO. Nice bushings and nice bare metal examples...

[Richard L.]

Re: 1963 SWC strut rods

It sounds like I'd be miles ahead getting the Paragon repros--correct, less expensive and likely easier to install. The JEG'S adjustable are very nice and would certainly work better but my '63's have lasted for 58 years. Frank, can you tell me the part # from Paragon?
Ric

[Leif A.]

Re: 1963 SWC strut rods

It sounds like I'd be miles ahead getting the Paragon repros--correct, less expensive and likely easier to install. The JEG'S adjustable are very nice and would certainly work better but my '63's have lasted for 58 years. Frank, can you tell me the part # from Paragon?
Ric

Paragon:
https://www.paragoncorvette.com/p-35...it-rubber.aspx

Long Island Corvette:

https://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb.dll?parta~dyndetail~Z5Z5Z50000370a~Z5Z5Z5AAGOL~P49.00~~~~S5ZQ0MQE8B76203412030c~Z5Z5Z5~Z5Z5Z50000370a#

[Frank D.]

Re: 1963 SWC strut rods

Yes, Leif above is the one that turned me on to the Paragon repros and he has provided the link for them.