What's up with my strut rods? '65 coupe pictures

[David R.]

DSC05036.jpg The shock mount & the center bracket look too wide for the end of strut rod? I looked in a parts book and seen I'm missing the end caps on the strut rod bushings, but the end caps are thin and I don't think they will fill the gap between the strut rod and the shock mount. What's wrong here? Dave

DSC05044.jpg

[Michael G.]

Re: What's up with my strut rods? '65 coupe pictures

The shock mount & the center bracket look too wide for the end of strut rod? I looked in a parts book and seen I'm missing the end caps on the strut rod bushings, but the end caps are thin and I don't think they will fill the gap between the strut rod and the shock mount. What's wrong here? Dave

I'm not sure what's going on with the strut rod bracket. There's an extra flange (with mounting hole) off the back side. I don't recall seeing that on a mid year corvette....or at least the several I've done. Possibly the wrong strut rod bracket on your '65? Others will chime in.

[Patrick B.]

Re: What's up with my strut rods? '65 coupe pictures

I'm not sure what's going on with the strut rod bracket. There's an extra flange (with mounting hole) off the back side. I don't recall seeing that on a mid year corvette....or at least the several I've done. Possibly the wrong strut rod bracket on your '65? Others will chime in.

This strut rod bracket is a late service replacement for a C3 with an extra flange, but the interior width is the same as a 65. It is a little bit flatter and lowers the height above the ground of the inner end of the strut rod. This reduces the camber change during suspension deflection and is an advantage with radial tires. I think if both washers are used at each end of the strut rod, the rod would fit OK in your car Dave. Be sure to use the tool to drive out the shock mount to avoid ruining its treads.

[Gene M.]

Re: What's up with my strut rods? '65 coupe pictures

Original strut rod bushings do not have the outer steel sleeve. The rubber seated against the ID on the strut rod on originals. And the rubber extended to the same over all as the inner sleeve. Replacements do not have the rubber extending beyond the strut rod width. Thus as Pat says they look different, but is BETTER functionally.

[Alan D.]

Re: What's up with my strut rods? '65 coupe pictures

The strut rod Bracket, 3817827, which bolts onto the Diff Carrier measures 1.9" inside where the strut slides in. Then the Cam Assy slides through it to hold in place and adjust wheel camber. (a little long winded, but want to make sure we are on same page) The small Cap, 3791519 (aka washers), go on either side of the strut rod at the Bracket end ONLY. See your AIM Sec 4 sheet B2.00, that number is from a 64 so yours may be a little different.

Warning - make sure you protect the threads on the Cam Assy also.

So what did you use for the strut rod insert (rubber). If it was not the pressed in GM style that is a problem.

[Edward J.]

Re: What's up with my strut rods? '65 coupe pictures

I agree with Alan, I believe what your seeing is the washers( should be one on each side of the bushing). your rubber bushings are gone. the rubber has slipped and is up against the bracket.

[Joe L.]

Re: What's up with my strut rods? '65 coupe pictures

This strut rod bracket is a late service replacement for a C3 with an extra flange, but the interior width is the same as a 65. It is a little bit flatter and lowers the height above the ground of the inner end of the strut rod. This reduces the camber change during suspension deflection and is an advantage with radial tires. I think if both washers are used at each end of the strut rod, the rod would fit OK in your car Dave. Be sure to use the tool to drive out the shock mount to avoid ruining its treads.

Patrick-----


Yes, the strut rod bracket is a GM #356932. This was used on 1975-79 Corvettes and later became SERVICE for 68-74. The tab with the hole in it was a support point for the catalytic converter shield first used for the 1975 model year. As you say, although it's not correct for any C2, it will not affect strut rod fitment in any way.

[Joe L.]

Re: What's up with my strut rods? '65 coupe pictures

[ATTACH=CONFIG]44904[/ATTACH] The shock mount & the center bracket look too wide for the end of strut rod? I looked in a parts book and seen I'm missing the end caps on the strut rod bushings, but the end caps are thin and I don't think they will fill the gap between the strut rod and the shock mount. What's wrong here? Dave

[ATTACH=CONFIG]44905[/ATTACH]

David-----


You do need new strut rod bushings. When installed, the caps will fit on the ends of the bushings and will fit into both the spindle supports and strut rod bracket with no problems, at all.

[David R.]

Re: What's up with my strut rods? '65 coupe pictures

Thanks for the replies. Ok, looks like I have C3 service replacement bracket which will work ok and maybe work better with my radial tires 215 x 70 R15. The bushing caps/retainers are on the bracket end only, as/per AIM Sec 4 sheet B2.00.(hole in cap/retainer is too small to fit on shaft at shock end) The current bushings are shot and are the width of the strut rod end. I think the strut rods were re-po's with the bushings already installed about 35000 miles ago.
I measured the bracket, strut rod width at both ends and the shaft width for the strut rod at the shock end. The battery was dead in my caliper so I just used a tape measure, here is what I got. Bracket inside width 1 3/4", Strut rod end width 1 3/8" = 3/8" gap. The caps/retainers might do the trick here, but the shock end has a gap also. I got shaft width for strut rod 1 5/8", strut rod end width 1 3/8" = 1\4" gap at the shock end as seen in above picture. I'm not sure why I have this 1/4" gap on the shock end. Dave

[Mike E.]

Re: What's up with my strut rods? '65 coupe pictures

David,

I'm about ready to tear into my T/A's so your thread has me interested. I just went down to measure my rear spindle support and strut rod. I'm pretty sure these are original, I've had my '65 almost 36 years and haven't done anything to them. I just used my cheapo HF calipers so it might not be exact but should be in the ballpark. If you need any more measurements let me know.








Mike

[Joe L.]

Re: What's up with my strut rods? '65 coupe pictures

Thanks for the replies. Ok, looks like I have C3 service replacement bracket which will work ok and maybe work better with my radial tires 215 x 70 R15. The bushing caps/retainers are on the bracket end only, as/per AIM Sec 4 sheet B2.00.(hole in cap/retainer is too small to fit on shaft at shock end) The current bushings are shot and are the width of the strut rod end. I think the strut rods were re-po's with the bushings already installed about 35000 miles ago.
I measured the bracket, strut rod width at both ends and the shaft width for the strut rod at the shock end. The battery was dead in my caliper so I just used a tape measure, here is what I got. Bracket inside width 1 3/4", Strut rod end width 1 3/8" = 3/8" gap. The caps/retainers might do the trick here, but the shock end has a gap also. I got shaft width for strut rod 1 5/8", strut rod end width 1 3/8" = 1\4" gap at the shock end as seen in above picture. I'm not sure why I have this 1/4" gap on the shock end. Dave

David-----


Yes, I mis-spoke. The caps are used ONLY on the bracket end. I can't figure out what I was thinking when I said they were used on the spindle support end. As a matter of fact, the "sawtooth" ends of the bushings' center retainer usually "bite into" the forks of the support, leaving tell-tale marks.

[David R.]

Re: What's up with my strut rods? '65 coupe pictures

Mike: Thanks for the pictures and measurements. Mine is the same measurement, but my strut rods do not have the bushings sticking out past the ends of the strut rod like yours. This must be my problem. Looks like I may have the wrong strut rod bushings on the shock ends and maybe the bracket end as well. Dave

[Mike E.]

Re: What's up with my strut rods? '65 coupe pictures

David,
I have new bushing ordered for mine. They should be in today or Friday, I'll take some measurements when they come in and post them in this thread.


Mike

[Timothy B.]

Re: What's up with my strut rods? '65 coupe pictures

David, Could it be possible the fork ends of the spindle support where the strut bushing goes is bent apart. This could be caused by previous removal. Usually, the fork ends when tightened will compress against the inner bushing (saw tooth) shaft.

[David R.]

Re: What's up with my strut rods? '65 coupe pictures

David, Could it be possible the fork ends of the spindle support where the strut bushing goes is bent apart. This could be caused by previous removal. Usually, the fork ends when tightened will compress against the inner bushing (saw tooth) shaft.

Tim: I got the same measurement as Mike on his original untouched strut rod install, 1.6". But mine has shorter replacement bushings. Mike ordered new bushings, he said he would measure the new ones and let us know then they come in.