Re: 68 b-body strut rods
[Re: 68CoronetRT]
#431983
08/10/09 10:45 AM
08/10/09 10:45 AM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 9,319
SoCal
68HemiB
master
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master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 9,319
SoCal
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Alignment opinions on this board vary, especially when it comes to negative camber and its application in a street-driven car. Where just about everybody seems to agree, however, is that an increase in CASTER is a desirable thing. The design of the upper control arm eccentrics make it so there is a trade-off between caster and camber - to increase caster into the desired range often means compromising one's goal for camber. UCA offset bushings, installed in the proper orientation, can help you get higher caster readings. Even so, you will still have caster/camber trade-offs because of the eccentrics are where they are.
So what does all that have to do with adjustable strut rods, you ask?
Replacing the fixed-position strut rods with adjustable ones grant the alignment mechanic a method to adjust caster without coming near the eccentrics. An adjustment of caster using the strut rod can be done with virtually no change to camber. An alignment mechanic who truly understands these cars will do back flips of joy when he takes a peek under a car so equipped, especially if the car's owner has come in with some suggested alignment settings he would like to see on his car.
Adjustable strut rods are indeed a good thing.
As an aside (and without appearing to endorse the engineering of a competitive brand), blue oval midsize cars of the same era shared some of the same front-end geometry of Mopars. Sure, they had a coil over the UCA instead of a T-bar, but they still shared two-point LCA's with a strut rod. The lack of a T-bar at the LCA pivot allowed them to place an eccentric at that point (to adjust camber), and an adjustable strut rod for caster.
Down to just a blue car now.
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Re: 68 b-body strut rods
[Re: 68HemiB]
#431985
08/10/09 02:43 PM
08/10/09 02:43 PM
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,047
Arizona
68CoronetRT
OP
super stock
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OP
super stock
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,047
Arizona
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Quote:
. . . Replacing the fixed-position strut rods with adjustable ones grant the alignment mechanic a method to adjust caster without coming near the eccentrics. An adjustment of caster using the strut rod can be done with virtually no change to camber. An alignment mechanic who truly understands these cars will do back flips of joy when he takes a peek under a car so equipped, especially if the car's owner has come in with some suggested alignment settings he would like to see on his car. . . .
You seem quite knowledgeable in this department. Can you suggest some alignment settings for a 500-600 hp street car? (my signature car)
Thanks,
Jim
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Re: 68 b-body strut rods
[Re: 68CoronetRT]
#431986
08/10/09 06:24 PM
08/10/09 06:24 PM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 9,319
SoCal
68HemiB
master
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master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 9,319
SoCal
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Quote:
You seem quite knowledgeable in this department. Can you suggest some alignment settings for a 500-600 hp street car? (my signature car)
Thanks,
Jim
If you have manual steering, the higher caster numbers are going to increase steering effort. Depending on your upper body strength and your personal tastes, you might choose to decrease my recommended caster setting somewhat (although leave it positive and balanced side-to-side regardless). Ignore all that babble if you have power steering.
I am also going to assume you are going with adjustable strut rods and can therefore pull a bit more caster without sending camber crazy.
There is a small [but vocal] minority of road course fanatics here that look for negative camber. I don't share that opinion.
Camber - 0 to 1/4 degree positive, with a 1/4 degree difference (LS higher) for crown-climbing. Say 0 RS, 1/4 positive LS.
Caster - 3 to perhaps as much as 5 degrees positive, balanced side-to-side. Perhaps less if you are a wimp and have manual steering.  Did I mention to make sure that both sides are equal?
Toe - about 1/8 inch TOTAL toe in. Some lay-people question this ("shouldn't the tires be utterly straight to get the best tire wear?"). Sure, when the car is moving. Setting it a bit IN statically is done in hopes of having it be ZERO when the car gets moving, and the tires try to toe OUT as the linkage components compress.
If you want, you can check out this War & peace thread on the subject. Be forewarned that it is populated by some off-topic posts, a bit of mis-information by some, and a fair amount of pollution by the negative camber autoxer crowd.
Also, later in this other thread you can find a reasoned and polite dialog on the negative camber issue, held between yours truly and one of the more visible negative camber fans.
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Re: 68 b-body strut rods
[Re: 68CoronetRT]
#431988
08/10/09 07:28 PM
08/10/09 07:28 PM
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,336
Ball Ground, Georgia
Dixie
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,336
Ball Ground, Georgia
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Quote:
Can anyone tell me where to purchase replacements?
Also, should I get the adjustable ones instead of OEM?
Thanks,
Jim
If you want to retain a stock look and get the positive caster back for your car. We just developed an adjustable strut rod that you can install in about an hour that will do both. Here is some info:
NEW FOR MOPARS – Developed by DIXIE RESTORATION PARTS
ADJUSTABLE STRUT RODS FOR A, B, & E, BODIES
“ GET YOUR CASTER BACK”
OVER ONE INCH OF ADJUSTMENT TO GET BACK THE CASTER LOST BY INSTALLING POLYGRAPHITE OR POLYURETHANE ON SOME APPLICATIONS.
“BENEFITS”
* “NEW” MADE FROM VERY HIGH STRENGTH ¾ INCH MATERIAL
* UP TO 5 TIMES STRONGER THAN STOCK RODS
* MADE TO PERCISION SPECS., FOR STOCK LOOK AND FIT “ JUST LIKE FACTORY RODS”
* NO NEED FOR OFFSET UPPER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS
* NO NEED TO BUY EXPENSIVE AFTER MARKET ARMS WITH HIEMS ENDS
* EASY TO INSTALL
* MADE IN THE USA BY CERTIFIED CAR NUTS TO ENSURE HIGH QUALITY
For you guys running larger than stock wheel tire combos, the forces exerted on your suspension during cornering is much greater with larger tires/wheels than the stock strut rods were designed for. These improved rods will easily handle those forces and allow for a more stable car at high speeds if you desire to adjust it as such.
If you want more info, call us or email us and we'll be glad to help. We sold out of all the ones we brought to both Carlisle and the Nats. You can use any brand bushing you want.
Thanks,
Randy
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Re: 68 b-body strut rods
[Re: General 68]
#431991
08/11/09 01:53 PM
08/11/09 01:53 PM
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,047
Arizona
68CoronetRT
OP
super stock
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OP
super stock
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,047
Arizona
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Quote:
What happens with the LCA bushing etc when adjusting the struts for more caster? How far towards the front can you pull the LCA without getting into trouble?
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Re: 68 b-body strut rods
[Re: General 68]
#431992
08/11/09 07:01 PM
08/11/09 07:01 PM
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,336
Ball Ground, Georgia
Dixie
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,336
Ball Ground, Georgia
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Quote:
What happens with the LCA bushing etc when adjusting the struts for more caster? How far towards the front can you pull the LCA without getting into trouble?
Use your stock adjustments on the upper control arm to adjust for most of the adjustment you need. Use the lower control arm to fine tune the caster. You can adjust too much, so you have to be responsible in your adjustments.
What are the settings you are trying to achieve as far as camber and caster? Does your car have manual or power steering?
Thanks,
Randy
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Re: 68 b-body strut rods
[Re: 68HemiB]
#431994
08/12/09 05:02 AM
08/12/09 05:02 AM
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 409
runningman
super street
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super street
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 409
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Is there any benefit to adjustable struts if you already have offset bushings installed. I need to replace my struts anyways. Thanks
Matt
Last edited by runningman; 08/12/09 08:37 AM.
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Re: 68 b-body strut rods
[Re: 68CoronetRT]
#431995
08/12/09 10:36 AM
08/12/09 10:36 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,132
Niles , Ohio
therocks
oh wait.but hey.lets see.oh yeah.
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oh wait.but hey.lets see.oh yeah.
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,132
Niles , Ohio
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Call Bill at RMS.He makes a nice set.The ones he has let the front move more easiley.That and he can tell you how much to try and use them to adjust the caster.He recommends a little.Hey he designs them and makes them.Rocky
Chrysler Firepower
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