Strut Rod Bushing Help

[68Roadster]

After removing the differential for rebuild I happened to notice the strut rod bushings and was wondering if they were the cause of some of the play in the rear end.
As the pictures show, the cam adjusting bolt does not fill up the space in the strut rod bushing. I have seen pictures of the bushing in parts catalog's and it would appear that the bolt should at least completely fill the space inside the bushing. If not, wouldn't that allow some side to side play??
If anyone has replaced these recently and remembers how theirs looked upon re-assembly, please let me know.

 

[GTR1999]

You should have the special cupped washers between the strut rod and the bracket on the differential.I didn't see the rubber ends in your pictures is there a washer on the bushing? I would change them if they're old or the originals. You can buy new bushings from Bairs and use a press to install them. Use a hole saw to remove them. Be sure the rod is straight not bent by soneone trying to align it in the past. Vette shop will heat and straighten them but I never liked that approach. If they're bent get new ones-IMO. Be sure to get the cupped washers if you don't have them. Also since you're going through the rear suspension,replace the differential front snubber bushing & bolt.

Anything else I might have forgot?

 

[68Roadster]

Coupeman,
Thanks for the insight. The portion you see around the bolt hole is actually the rubber and there were not any special cup washers installed. I noticed when looking for replacement bushings that these were called for.
I think the last time the trailing arms were out someone forgot to do these strut rods like they were supposed to. My main question is when I look in the catalog they say strut rod bushings (small). Can I assume these are the ones I need?? Although the cam bolt fits into the bracket just fine (without much play) I would think that having the bolt sloppy inside the strut rod bushing would allow for movement in and out at the spindle. Guess I'll just order bushings/cupwashers etc and see how it goes.

 

[68Roadster]

These bushings look like they are the same inside diameter as the cam bolt.....is that correct??

 

[vettenick]

When you tighten the nuts and bolts the bolt will lock onto the inner sleeve of the strut because of the washers that go in between the strut and the cam adjusters. At that point there should be no more play.

 

[68Roadster]

Thanks V-Nick.....it would appear that my bushings were not correctly done the last time.

All....thanks for the help.

 

[GTR1999]

The reference of small vs large is the year range. If yours are original and not a service replacement for 63-74 they are small head which I believe is=1.187" The 75 up and service replacements are larger diameter,1.50" I'd have to check the books for the exact measurement but you'll notice the difference between the two. One thing to check if you have a lg head and use it in an early car is the potential for binding at extreme deflextion. The lg head rods can bind in the bearing housing so move the rod by hand through the motion and see if you have this problem. If so then grind the housing just enough to relieve the area and not have a bind.

 

[Tweek]

From the pictures it looks like aftermarket bushings where already installed. I just put a pair in my 80 that look just like them and I used the factory washers with them. The bolt was loose in the bushing the same as yours, but the little flange on the washer, fit inside the bushing to tighten them up. I'm not so sure I like them, if I had it to do all over I would have used the factory ones.

Ron

 

[JohnZ]

You MUST use the special washers ("caps") between both ends of the bushing and the mounting bracket on the inboard attachments, or the cam bolt feature won't work; the O.D. of the cam bolt works against the I.D. of the caps, not against the (larger) I.D. of the sleeve in the bushing.

 

[68Roadster]

Thanks Tweek and JohnZ,
That has to be the problem. What you see is what I have. These are stock strut rods but the ebushings do not look anything like the pic I posted earlier in this thread. I think to remove all doubt I will just order new hardware and bushings.
As it stands now I could tighten the cam adjusting bolt but the strut rod would still move in and out because the bushing diameter is bigger than the bolt itself.