E-Bodies.org Cuda Challenger Forum

Technical Shop => Wheels, Tires, Brakes, Suspension & Steering => Topic started by: Jsand73440 on February 21, 2023, 04:13:14 PM

Title: Adjusting help for the strut rods?
Post by: Jsand73440 on February 21, 2023, 04:13:14 PM
I was wondering how the front strut rods are adjusted? Is this something that i can do, or does the front end alignment specialist m
Adjust these rods?
Title: Re: Adjusting help for the strut rods?
Post by: dodj on February 21, 2023, 06:28:19 PM
Stock are non adjustable.
Did you buy adjustable ones?
Title: Re: Adjusting help for the strut rods?
Post by: PLUM72 on February 22, 2023, 08:24:30 AM
If you have adjustable strut rods, start by adjusting them to the length of stock strut rod.  Once everything is put together and on 4 wheels with all the weight in the car, perhaps you can tweak the length a little bit.  However you begin to put side loads on the lower control arm it was never designed to take.    The advantage of the adjustable strut rods is the movement and the elimination of those crazy strut bushings in the k-member.  IMO it seems the aftermarket never got those strut bushings and washers right.
Title: Re: Adjusting help for the strut rods?
Post by: Jsand73440 on February 22, 2023, 02:00:40 PM
I replaced with QA1 adjustable
Title: Re: Adjusting help for the strut rods?
Post by: greentween on February 22, 2023, 02:41:47 PM
When I did this, I had similar question as their instructions don't really explain how to set them to match the rods you took out. Instructions says to measure your old ones, but not where to transfer the measurement to the new ones. But If you look how the old ones fit vs the new ones I think you can figure out the reference stops front to back and transfer the measurement. I also took measurement from K frame to the control arm from old rods and also used that for adjusting the new rods.

The old rods may not be optimum position though, so ultimately the alignment can use these too to help adjust for castor. If pushing to get best castor then also need to double check and make sure there is no binding thru the suspension travel.
Title: Re: Adjusting help for the strut rods?
Post by: HP2 on February 23, 2023, 05:39:32 PM
Rough in the length similar to original. Install but do not torque down. Adjust length to get lower control arm at 90* to its mounting sleeve in the k-frame at simulated ride height (use the control arm bumper to frame gap to estimate this). Tighten everything down.

Now, you can twist in a a couple of extra turns to pull the arm toward the front of the car a bit to add caster, but don't get too carried away with this as you are introducing additional side loads on the bushing.