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914World.com _ 914World Garage _ Strut Insert Failed?
Posted by: Costa05 Oct 16 2022, 06:23 PM
Replaced my tie rods today to help remove a bump steer wobble I get when hitting uneven pavement. Test drive was ok but still there. Noticed that I get zero vert movement when pushing down on the right front fender, whereas left front I get 1" to 2" of travel. In addition right side is 1" lower than left at rest. Is it the strut insert that failed? It does extend out when raising car to remove wheel though. Original setup on the car. 73 with late struts and calipers.
Posted by: mepstein Oct 16 2022, 07:17 PM
They do fail after 50 years.
Posted by: lesorubcheek Oct 16 2022, 07:45 PM
I don't have too much experience with old strut inserts, but the few I've changed usually had zero resistance over a range and then they'd dampen for the remainder. None of the dozen or so I've changed ever just locked hard. Maybe they can, again, just never saw it personally. I'd almost guess the adjuster for your torsion bar backed out and bottomed out on that side.
Dan
Posted by: Costa05 Oct 16 2022, 11:08 PM
I don't have too much experience with old strut inserts, but the few I've changed usually had zero resistance over a range and then they'd dampen for the remainder. None of the dozen or so I've changed ever just locked hard. Maybe they can, again, just never saw it personally. I'd almost guess the adjuster for your torsion bar backed out and bottomed out on that side.
Dan
Dan you were right. I added about 3 full turns to the right side tortion bar adjuster. Rt side leveled out with left and now I have some strut & tortion bar travel to work with. Test drive was a big improvement. Thanks!
Rich
Posted by: bdstone914 Oct 17 2022, 08:57 AM
I don't have too much experience with old strut inserts, but the few I've changed usually had zero resistance over a range and then they'd dampen for the remainder. None of the dozen or so I've changed ever just locked hard. Maybe they can, again, just never saw it personally. I'd almost guess the adjuster for your torsion bar backed out and bottomed out on that side.
Dan
Dan you were right. I added about 3 full turns to the right side tortion bar adjuster. Rt side leveled out with left and now I have some strut & tortion bar travel to work with. Test drive was a big improvement. Thanks!
Rich
Put some Blue Loctite on the adjuster screw irvit will back out again.
Bruce
Posted by: Costa05 Oct 17 2022, 09:17 AM
I don't have too much experience with old strut inserts, but the few I've changed usually had zero resistance over a range and then they'd dampen for the remainder. None of the dozen or so I've changed ever just locked hard. Maybe they can, again, just never saw it personally. I'd almost guess the adjuster for your torsion bar backed out and bottomed out on that side.
Dan
Dan you were right. I added about 3 full turns to the right side tortion bar adjuster. Rt side leveled out with left and now I have some strut & tortion bar travel to work with. Test drive was a big improvement. Thanks!
Rich
Put some Blue Loctite on the adjuster screw irvit will back out again.
Bruce
Great advice Bruce. Interesting outcome is now that I have restored the control arm travel, I now have squeaking right front bushings. Next project on the list.
Posted by: bdstone914 Oct 17 2022, 11:12 AM
I don't have too much experience with old strut inserts, but the few I've changed usually had zero resistance over a range and then they'd dampen for the remainder. None of the dozen or so I've changed ever just locked hard. Maybe they can, again, just never saw it personally. I'd almost guess the adjuster for your torsion bar backed out and bottomed out on that side.
Dan
Dan you were right. I added about 3 full turns to the right side tortion bar adjuster. Rt side leveled out with left and now I have some strut & tortion bar travel to work with. Test drive was a big improvement. Thanks!
Rich
Put some Blue Loctite on the adjuster screw or it will back out again.
Bruce
Great advice Bruce. Interesting outcome is now that I have restored the control arm travel, I now have squeaking right front bushings. Next project on the list.
The squeak may be the torsion bar rubbing on the housing.
Posted by: dr914@autoatlanta.com Oct 17 2022, 11:17 AM
usually it is the red koni oil shocks that fail by freezing "up". no movement what so ever
Replaced my tie rods today to help remove a bump steer wobble I get when hitting uneven pavement. Test drive was ok but still there. Noticed that I get zero vert movement when pushing down on the right front fender, whereas left front I get 1" to 2" of travel. In addition right side is 1" lower than left at rest. Is it the strut insert that failed? It does extend out when raising car to remove wheel though. Original setup on the car. 73 with late struts and calipers.
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