I have a bent strut rod on a 71 that I would like to straighten to preserve the part. Has anyone straightened one of these before on or off the car? Because this is an original low mileage car, I would like to do this without removing it if possible. Thanks!
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Re: Bent Strut Rod
Replace it.
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Re: Bent Strut Rod
Seth-
I rebuild these all the time and typically one can place a bent rod in a 20 ton press, elevate the two ends and press down on the bent area, little at a time to correct back to original. There will be deflection, so it will require what appears to be over pressing, but it springs back when pressure is released-do it in baby steps so as not to over correct. I do not feel this "repair" affects the integrity of the part as it is designed to stress length wise. If you had not figured it out, you have to pull it from the car to get it on the press-be sure to mark the position of the adjuster cam so you do not alter the adjustment when done.
MikeComment
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Re: Bent Strut Rod
As Mike said you can easily press them back if you want. Cold press them, no heat. The bigger question is what else was done previously> Check the spring, diff side yoke endplay, T/A's. Bent rods is usually a cheap alignment trick to try and compensate for worn parts or rust seized parts. I can't recall how many T/A's sent to me to rebuild that were bent to set the rear toe. My original 72 I bought back in 1978 with 40k miles had uniform bent rods on it, you would have thought it came from St Louis like that. I would make sure they are the small head rods too, if they are large head they have been replaced already. They will function the same but if you want correct you need the 1.250 head rods. Good luckComment
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Re: Bent Strut Rod
Thanks Gary,will do! Best,SethComment
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Re: Bent Strut Rod
When my new 1970 had been owned less than a month the turbo 400 would not shift out of first/low gear. Took it to a Chevrolet dealership. Curious I walked out of the waiting room and saw my 70 in a service area on a lift. The rear strut rods were being used to support/lift the rear of the car. I went back into the dealership and told the service manager they would have to replace my struts due to the improper placement of the lift to raise my new 70 Corvette. He viewed my car on the lift and agreed. The transmission was easily fixed. The vacuum hose had came off the vacuum modulator.Comment
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Re: Bent Strut Rod
I fondly remember that style of lift. It worked great for RWD cars, but generally not Corvette. The one we had in school for years had notches in the rear uprights just to clear the rear strut rods. My 1970 was up on it many times. Unfortunately it started leaking into the ground and that was the end of that. New in-ground two post lifts make working inside the car a pain when it is off the ground.TerryComment
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Re: Bent Strut Rod
Thanks Terry. BTW, I purchased the TIM 4th edition and appreciate your help!Comment
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Re: Bent Strut Rod
Thanks everyone for helpful information.Comment
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