Adjustable Strut Rods
Here are a few quick explanations of a strut rods function I acquired via the inter webs.
The first is from Global West Suspension. (Ford)
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1. “The strut rod, also called brake reaction strut rod, attaches at the front cross member under the radiator and extend back to the lower control arm. The strut supports the lower arm from moving fore or aft during acceleration or braking. The factory uses a rubber bushing to attach the strut rod to the cross member.
The strut rod also performs an alignment function; it adjust caster. Caster provides straight-line stability and is used for improving corner entry. Caster is also contributes to a self-aligning action after the car comes out of a turn. If the bushings go bad, the car will wander, dart during braking, and cause the toe to change (thus creating more tire wear).”
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Hmmmm. I’m sure their just out to procure a few more $ from all the “ignorants”....
The second is directly from from Firm Feel’s website, in reference to their a-body adjustable strut rods.
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2. “We built these adjustable struts to properly locate the LCA (lower control arm). If you are running urethane or nylon LCA bushings and urethane strut bushings
your strut length is now more critical to insure the LCA doesn't slip back or forward on the pivot pin. Otherwise your LCA inner pivot will be " floating," so the front end alignment (toe setting) will not stay put.
You want positive caster AND you want a stable toe setting.
We recommend you preassemble your LCA / Strut assembly and sweep it up and down to make sure every thing move smoothly and the LCA inner pivot stays pulled up snug in position against the LCA pin shoulder, then assemble the rest of the suspension.”
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Wow! Deja vu eh? It’s what everyone has been saying all along. Weird. Is Firm Feel really a respected vender in the Mopar community though? (Sarc)..... Pretty sure most folks here would say absolutely! Ignorant?
The third description is simply from hotchkis’ website in reference to their a-body adjustable strut rods.
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3. “Hotchkis Sport Suspension 14385 1967-1976 Dodge A Body Adjustable Strut Rods. Dramatically improve the cornering performance traction and steering response of your Dart Demon or Valiant with Hotchkis Sport Suspension Adjustable Strut Rods. Designed to positively locate the lower arm these strut rods will improve responsiveness and driver control. The adjustable design features 5/8 in. high articulation rod ends CNC bent brackets and lightweight TIG-welded 7/8 in. tubing. The part is finished off in a lustrous nickel look powder coated finish blending form and function. Features: TIG-welded Lightweight 7/8 in. Tubing Rigid High Quality 5/8 in. High Articulation Rod Ends. CNC Bent Brackets High Quality Hardware Lustrous Nickel look powder coated finish. Benefits: Positively positions lower Arm and Improves Responsiveness. Adjustable design with Rigid 5/8 in. High Articulation Rod Ends. Improves Caster Removes unwanted play and excessive movement in the front suspension. Bolt In Installation. We recommend upgrading to our 21366 Polyurethane lower control arm bushings for use with this part.”
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Again? They must be trying to trick “blind, ignorant” enthusiasts into blowing their hard earned dough. I’m guessing that hotchkis challenger that’s pulling a G in those auto cross corners has SUPER BIG torsion bar clips... you know, so they don’t run over the front wheels when they slip right off the control arm pivot pin. Snake oil I’m sure.
Here is a pic from the Hot Rod article titled “How to Rehab Mopar Front Suspension”
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4. https://www.hotrod.com/uploads/sites/21/2017/01/mopar-lower-control-arm-attachment.jpg?fit=around|29:16
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Why doesn’t this “ignorant, blind” car lover simply slide the attached control arm/strut rod assembly into the k-member and on the pivot pin, one at a time? I mean, the strut rod in no way keeps the control arm from moving forward or backwards right? How could it with that swivel and all? Duh
Lastly, here is a video on YouTube, produced by MOOG of all people. It shows how to inspect strut rod bushings. You’ll probably notice that the second line in the video states that the purpose of a strut rod is to control fore and aft movement of the control arm....
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5.
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Holy crap! Your absolutely right! A worldwide conspiracy involving all of the accredited, aftermarket suspension venders in an effort to exploit our “blind, ignorant”, automotive hobby, loving asses!
It’s your turn Oldmanmopar, break out that Cobalt ratchet, swivel socket and extension. It’s time to save all the helpless idiots from the things that only YOU know. I feel a life changing YouTube tutorial coming on. Even if it does insult 7/8ths of the populace.
Make vulcanized rubber bushings great again!
Here are a few quick explanations of a strut rods function I acquired via the inter webs.
The first is from Global West Suspension. (Ford)
———————————————————————————-
1. “The strut rod, also called brake reaction strut rod, attaches at the front cross member under the radiator and extend back to the lower control arm. The strut supports the lower arm from moving fore or aft during acceleration or braking. The factory uses a rubber bushing to attach the strut rod to the cross member.
The strut rod also performs an alignment function; it adjust caster. Caster provides straight-line stability and is used for improving corner entry. Caster is also contributes to a self-aligning action after the car comes out of a turn. If the bushings go bad, the car will wander, dart during braking, and cause the toe to change (thus creating more tire wear).”
———————————————————————————-
Hmmmm. I’m sure their just out to procure a few more $ from all the “ignorants”....
The second is directly from from Firm Feel’s website, in reference to their a-body adjustable strut rods.
———————————————————————————
2. “We built these adjustable struts to properly locate the LCA (lower control arm). If you are running urethane or nylon LCA bushings and urethane strut bushings
You want positive caster AND you want a stable toe setting.
We recommend you preassemble your LCA / Strut assembly and sweep it up and down to make sure every thing move smoothly and the LCA inner pivot stays pulled up snug in position against the LCA pin shoulder, then assemble the rest of the suspension.”
———————————————————————————-
Wow! Deja vu eh? It’s what everyone has been saying all along. Weird. Is Firm Feel really a respected vender in the Mopar community though? (Sarc)..... Pretty sure most folks here would say absolutely! Ignorant?
The third description is simply from hotchkis’ website in reference to their a-body adjustable strut rods.
———————————————————————————-
3. “Hotchkis Sport Suspension 14385 1967-1976 Dodge A Body Adjustable Strut Rods. Dramatically improve the cornering performance traction and steering response of your Dart Demon or Valiant with Hotchkis Sport Suspension Adjustable Strut Rods. Designed to positively locate the lower arm these strut rods will improve responsiveness and driver control. The adjustable design features 5/8 in. high articulation rod ends CNC bent brackets and lightweight TIG-welded 7/8 in. tubing. The part is finished off in a lustrous nickel look powder coated finish blending form and function. Features: TIG-welded Lightweight 7/8 in. Tubing Rigid High Quality 5/8 in. High Articulation Rod Ends. CNC Bent Brackets High Quality Hardware Lustrous Nickel look powder coated finish. Benefits: Positively positions lower Arm and Improves Responsiveness. Adjustable design with Rigid 5/8 in. High Articulation Rod Ends. Improves Caster Removes unwanted play and excessive movement in the front suspension. Bolt In Installation. We recommend upgrading to our 21366 Polyurethane lower control arm bushings for use with this part.”
———————————————————————————-
Again? They must be trying to trick “blind, ignorant” enthusiasts into blowing their hard earned dough. I’m guessing that hotchkis challenger that’s pulling a G in those auto cross corners has SUPER BIG torsion bar clips... you know, so they don’t run over the front wheels when they slip right off the control arm pivot pin. Snake oil I’m sure.
Here is a pic from the Hot Rod article titled “How to Rehab Mopar Front Suspension”
———————————————————————————-
4. https://www.hotrod.com/uploads/sites/21/2017/01/mopar-lower-control-arm-attachment.jpg?fit=around|29:16
———————————————————————————-
Why doesn’t this “ignorant, blind” car lover simply slide the attached control arm/strut rod assembly into the k-member and on the pivot pin, one at a time? I mean, the strut rod in no way keeps the control arm from moving forward or backwards right? How could it with that swivel and all? Duh
Lastly, here is a video on YouTube, produced by MOOG of all people. It shows how to inspect strut rod bushings. You’ll probably notice that the second line in the video states that the purpose of a strut rod is to control fore and aft movement of the control arm....
———————————————————————————-
5.
———————————————————————————-
Holy crap! Your absolutely right! A worldwide conspiracy involving all of the accredited, aftermarket suspension venders in an effort to exploit our “blind, ignorant”, automotive hobby, loving asses!
It’s your turn Oldmanmopar, break out that Cobalt ratchet, swivel socket and extension. It’s time to save all the helpless idiots from the things that only YOU know. I feel a life changing YouTube tutorial coming on. Even if it does insult 7/8ths of the populace.
Make vulcanized rubber bushings great again!