Are Factory Strut Rods Perfectly Straight?

[Dibbons]

This AM a local shop removed my '72 Satellite front suspension parts for a rebuild. It appears that both strut rods have a very, very slight bend/curve just before one of the threaded ends. I would like to know if they are bent, the shop bent them, or were they manufactured that way? Thank you.

P.S. Before I arrived at the shop, I spray painted the frame white, front and rear, where the pads for the lift should be placed. I told the guy to place the pads where the white paint was. He ignored me and set them up to raise the body at the pinch welds! If I had not stuck around ...

Yesterday, for the first time in 3 years I parked alongside another car in the far right parking spot of a convenience store, where no-one could park to my right and where a driver of the adjacent car would get out on his side where the opposing driver's door could never hit my driver's door. However, as I walked out, the owner of the truck parked on my left, walked over with one hand holding a cell phone to his ear, and the other hand opening his PASSENGER door. WACK! First time in 3 years I ever a parked next to someone, and they went out of their way (so to speak) to ding up my left front fender. I give up.

 

[MCODECUDA]

They should be straight.

 

[WileE]

Strut rods will get bent from wheel-Road impacts. Check the area on the subframe where they mount as well, check for cupping.

 

[Dibbons]

Well, according to the foto I posted, do they look "bent" or not? The portion I have concern about is just to the left of the threaded portion. Thank you.

If that little tweek I see means they are "bent", what happens tomorrow when we put it back together, alignment problems?

And if/when I replace them later, do other parts need to be removed as well for access? Thank you.

 

[Dibbons]

Check the area on the subframe where they mount as well, check for cupping.

I am not sure exactly what is meant by "cupping", but I will take a look. If there is "cupping", what would be the correct remedy? Thank you.

 

[gkent]

They should be straight BUT when the ends are formed they tend to be somewhat off center. So if you rolled them on a flat surface there should be no bow in the middle but they might still wobble.

So what I see in your photo is, in my opinion, normal from the forming process (and I have four just like them, two of which are original to my car which I've owned since '73 and was never in a collision and two of which are NOS !!)

 

[csilko]

So how much of an *** beating did you give the douchebag with the cell phone who hit your car?

 

[451Mopar]

They are supposed to be straight, but not uncommon for them to be slightly bent. I think some hack alignment shops may have even bent them to get more caster angle?

 

[Dibbons]

So how much of an *** beating did you give the douchebag with the cell phone who hit your car?

This whole month of May so far has been full of similar anecdotes. I believe someone upstairs is putting me to the test. To answer your question, in lieu of killing the guy, I just drove away quietly.

 

[Joske2]

That looks normal to me. Has to do with the manufacturing process i think, to have enough meat to do the machining.
All the ones i have seen look exactly like that.

 

[1967coronet440]

Mine looked exactly the same, I ended up replacing with qa1 dynamic adjustable rods

 

[Dibbons]

Now I just found out that the PST Poly Bushing metal insert (inside diameter) is too small and will not slide onto my strut rod end! What is going on here? This is a '72 Satellite.

Can someone please PM a regular California phone number for PST, that 800 number does not work from Mexico. Thank you!

 

[1967coronet440]

@PST

 

[Dibbons]

Now that I returned home to measure with dial calipers:

Old factory metal insert inside diameter .0638"
PST metal poly metal insert inside diameter .0628"
strut rod outside diameter .063"

close but no cigar?

 

[dadsbee]

Yep... light press on fit.

 

[Dibbons]

OK, we have one vote for use a bigger hammer. Thank you.

I thought PST was in California, but looks like they are locating near New Jersey. I now have a phone number with an area code back there.

 

[YY1]

I've seen some poorly formed ends that make them look bent.

Kind of hard to tell sometimes if they actually are bent.

The DO get bent.

I have aftermarket bars that are a larger diameter and are less likely to get bent.

 

[PST]

Just sent you a PM. I am having one of our customer service reps call you today.

Thanks
James From
PST

 

[Dibbons]

OK

 

[Dibbons]

Update on problem: PST tech called to say said metal insert may run a little small to compensate for the strut rod possibly being a little worn. Maybe.

The first option given was to reuse the old sleeve/insert. My old inserts are worn pretty thin. I would rather not do that.

Then I was told some installers open the new PST insert up a little so it fits/slides on the strut rod. I was not told the insert was meant to be an interference fit.

On my way back to the shop doing the install now. Looks like we will just have to wing-it in some kind of "Mexican style" to make it fit. Buyer Beware.