E-Bodies.org Cuda Challenger Forum

Technical Shop => Wheels, Tires, Brakes, Suspension & Steering => Topic started by: Racer57 on August 24, 2020, 12:13:52 PM

Title: Strut Rod Bushings
Post by: Racer57 on August 24, 2020, 12:13:52 PM
My strut rod bushings are shot.  Is there any tricks for replacement ?   No one locally had them, so called Roseville and their otw.   :D   
Title: Re: Strut Rod Bushings
Post by: Rich G. on August 24, 2020, 12:43:28 PM
I believe the only way is to remove the torsion bar and the lower control arm to get the strut rod out.
Title: Re: Strut Rod Bushings
Post by: mopartaz on August 24, 2020, 02:05:31 PM
yes gotta remove the torsion bar and lower control arm, unless those new adjustable ones will fit without removing everything?
Title: Re: Strut Rod Bushings
Post by: anlauto on August 24, 2020, 02:34:10 PM
Yup...bit of a job there....RockAuto always has Moog parts on hand as well, just in case Roseville did not  :alan2cents:
Title: Re: Strut Rod Bushings
Post by: Racer57 on August 24, 2020, 03:17:37 PM
 :pullinghair: :pullinghair: :pullinghair: :pullinghair: :pullinghair:

Gonna let alignment shop do it. He's worked on older cars before.
Title: Re: Strut Rod Bushings
Post by: anlauto on August 24, 2020, 03:56:10 PM
Should consider LCA bushings at the same time :alan2cents:
Title: Re: Strut Rod Bushings
Post by: Solarguy on August 25, 2020, 04:36:43 AM
The Moog ones also have an improved version with a metal snout and  :iagree: do the lower bushings at the same time
Title: Re: Strut Rod Bushings
Post by: RUNCHARGER on August 25, 2020, 07:14:15 AM
Agreed: You have to pull everything out to get at the strut bushings anyway.
Title: Re: Strut Rod Bushings
Post by: Racer57 on August 25, 2020, 10:56:37 AM
Lower control arm bushings otw.   :D    Thanks for the tip.   

I never had REALLY looked hard at how the front suspension operates. I had just assumed a torsion bar was being used instead of a spring and that was about it.  Now, I see there's a lot more to it. Talked to a drag racing buddy, and he told me about a local mopar drag racer that when he launched, the right front suspension/tire was noticeably forward to give him a quicker ET. At least I think thats what he was telling me. He was getting too technical for me.   :D   
Title: Re: Strut Rod Bushings
Post by: dodj on August 31, 2020, 07:00:36 AM
Well, if you're doing the lower control arm bushings, you will have to separate the lower ball joint..might want to have replacement boots if you are separating with a pickle fork.  :alan2cents:
Title: Re: Strut Rod Bushings
Post by: anlauto on August 31, 2020, 07:58:30 AM
Heck, you might as well do the lower ball joints as wel.... :rofl:  Where's the "snowball" emoji ?
Title: Re: Strut Rod Bushings
Post by: Racer57 on August 31, 2020, 02:52:54 PM
Is the lower control arm bushing pressed in ?
Title: Re: Strut Rod Bushings
Post by: anlauto on August 31, 2020, 04:14:04 PM
Quote from: Racer57 on August 31, 2020, 02:52:54 PM
Is the lower control arm bushing pressed in ?

YES
Title: Re: Strut Rod Bushings
Post by: floorit426 on August 31, 2020, 06:03:08 PM
Quote from: anlauto on August 31, 2020, 07:58:30 AM
Where's the "snowball" emoji ?

Lol, that's a good one, for the suggestion box!
Title: Re: Strut Rod Bushings
Post by: Racer57 on September 01, 2020, 07:22:52 PM
Shop said it had been a long time since he had changed the lower control arm bushings and thought it would be a real SOB to do. Last night I did a check on Youtube for them, and he was right. Luckily they were in excellent shape and did not need replaced.  But strut rod bushings were totally shot and what was still there was rock hard.

After replacing the strut bushings he realigned, balanced the tires and checked rear brakes(front disk) and the measurement at all fender lips is 25". $325.00

Having done all that, plus me putting Bilstein shocks all around on, its unbelievable how nice the car rides now and the rear end does not want to wrap up. I hit every tar strip and pot hole I could and there's no rattles in the front at all. Just a nice smooth ride.

But there is a small rattle coming from the back of car thats now gonna haunt me. (hopefully something loose in trunk)    LOL.

Thank you everyone for your suggestions !! 
Title: Re: Strut Rod Bushings
Post by: anlauto on September 02, 2020, 03:35:25 AM
Sounds like you're dealing with a pretty honest shop. Most places would just do the job and charge accordingly. The rattle in the rear could be a loose upper shock bolt.
Title: Re: Strut Rod Bushings
Post by: Rich G. on September 02, 2020, 04:53:07 AM
Double check those top shock bolts in the rear. If they're not really tight it'll rattle like hell.
Title: Re: Strut Rod Bushings
Post by: Racer57 on September 02, 2020, 05:55:19 AM
Quote from: anlauto on September 02, 2020, 03:35:25 AM
Sounds like you're dealing with a pretty honest shop. Most places would just do the job and charge accordingly. The rattle in the rear could be a loose upper shock bolt.

I'll blame you when I tell my wife she has to get back into the trunk !!      :yes:
Title: Re: Strut Rod Bushings
Post by: dodj on September 02, 2020, 06:10:23 AM
Quote from: Racer57 on September 02, 2020, 05:55:19 AM

I'll blame you when I tell my wife she has to get back into the trunk !!      :yes:
Maybe she's the source of the original rattle back there.....
Title: Re: Strut Rod Bushings
Post by: RUNCHARGER on September 02, 2020, 07:19:45 AM
Price doesn't seem out of line for what they did. I agree, likely a shock bolt or perhaps the shock body rubbing, it's pretty tight in an E-body.
Title: Re: Strut Rod Bushings
Post by: Racer57 on September 02, 2020, 11:22:48 AM
Tool Box rubbing on deck lid hinge !!  :D   Finally something easy to fix ! :banana:
Title: Re: Strut Rod Bushings
Post by: RUNCHARGER on September 02, 2020, 06:41:41 PM
Perfect, and no need to get dirty.
Title: Re: Strut Rod Bushings
Post by: FSHTAIL on September 14, 2020, 07:45:15 PM
Might as well freshen up the entire front end while you're in there if those bushings are shot, most of the other stuff should be as well.. 
Title: Re: Strut Rod Bushings
Post by: Racer57 on September 14, 2020, 07:54:28 PM
Quote from: Chris Pauluk on September 14, 2020, 07:45:15 PM
Might as well freshen up the entire front end while you're in there if those bushings are shot, most of the other stuff should be as well..
Makes no sense, but luckily everything else was in perfect condition.
Title: Re: Strut Rod Bushings
Post by: FSHTAIL on September 14, 2020, 07:59:28 PM
Quote from: Racer57 on September 14, 2020, 07:54:28 PM
Quote from: Chris Pauluk on September 14, 2020, 07:45:15 PM
Might as well freshen up the entire front end while you're in there if those bushings are shot, most of the other stuff should be as well..
Makes no sense, but luckily everything else was in perfect condition.

How could everything be "perfect" if the strut rod bushings were shot?   
I know he said the lower control arm bushings were good, but there is room for improvement..   

I myself never do bare minimal.         But I'm not the same as most..
Title: Re: Strut Rod Bushings
Post by: Racer57 on September 15, 2020, 07:34:20 PM
Quote from: Chris Pauluk on September 14, 2020, 07:59:28 PM
Quote from: Racer57 on September 14, 2020, 07:54:28 PM
Quote from: Chris Pauluk on September 14, 2020, 07:45:15 PM
Might as well freshen up the entire front end while you're in there if those bushings are shot, most of the other stuff should be as well..
Makes no sense, but luckily everything else was in perfect condition.

How could everything be "perfect" if the strut rod bushings were shot?   
I know he said the lower control arm bushings were good, but there is room for improvement..   

I myself never do bare minimal.         But I'm not the same as most..

Only a guess, but there has been a lot of things I've came across that the previous owner did the right way, then 1/2 azzed the rest.