Strut Rods on MII suspension

[onefastmustang]

My CRII has a brand new MII suspension with tubular arms and all new strut rods and bushings. The interesting thing is that the strut rod eats right through the bushings.. Are the struts supposed to have inward tension on them when they are installed or do I have a setup issue?

[jdean]

They should pretty much center up in the hole. Another thing to check is whether you have Pinto or Mustang II rods. The angles are slightly different on them. I forget which one the CR takes, but it makes a difference. Maybe Don could chime in.

Also you could try Polyurethane bushings. They are tougher and may not get eaten up.

[Cobra Dude]

One of the big advantages of converting to tubular is that I could eliminate the strut rods, which IMHO are a source of binding. Yes, it required installation of some brace tubes on the LCA pivots, but it works beautifully. Not sure which tubulars you have, but I'm surprised you still have strut rods.

[jdean]

You can eliminate the strut rods, but they are physically a much stronger design than the traditional lower "A" arm design tubular replacements.

With the minimal amount of suspension travel the typical Cobra has, there is not much binding unless there is fitment problems.

[Curt C.]

You can have it all: strenth, adjustability, no bind, etc. RCC Specialty Products makes an adjustable M II strut rod that employs heim joints to eliminate bind. There is no picture on the website, but it looks very similar to the global west piece for early mustangs (see attached). Dwayne at RCC can email a pic of the unit. I have them on my car and am very happy with the performance.


http://www.rccspecialty.com/mustang_ii.html

[onefastmustang]

I talked to CR today and they use a 44 degree strut rod on the car. I have the 52 degree Mustang II rods.. Hence my problem..

[MaSnaka]

Curt C. I like the look of that adjustable strut you showed. I think I will look into a pair. On a side note...Is the strut rod adjusted by the wheel alignment guy? Is it part of the front end alignment? If not then what do you adjust it to? Should it be a free swinger or have some resistance to movement by tightening down on the bushing/grommet?

John

[Curt C.]

MaSnaka, Yes, the adjustment is for alignment - namely caster. Allowing it to swing freely is how one eliminates the binding. That rod is there mainly to hold the lower control arm in place. It should not act like a spring. I track my car so this was important to me.

[onefastmustang]

I picked up a set of these.. they are really nicely made.. Went in without a sweat.. very cool. thanks for the tip.

[tcrist]

OFM,
Do their strut rods eliminate the frame busgings? Have you looked into their alignment saver setup? I might order a set of each.

Terry

[onefastmustang]

they do elimiate the frame bushings.. Ill upload a pic of my install..

[onefastmustang]

Here is a pic of the drivers side..

[tcrist]

OFM,
Thanks for the picture. Boy that looks flimsy to me. Probably works fine though. If/when I do buy that I will have to look at making some stronger brackets. I take it that the plates that bolt onto the lower arm has "2" holes so the brackets do not pivot. I can't see a second bolt in the picture. It's probably hidden by the tire.

Terry

[onefastmustang]

It is anything but flimsy.. Don't let the picture decieve you. All of the force is compression and this thing is built well to handle it. And yes there is indeed a second bolt on there.

[onefastmustang]

Here is another pic, that they sent me..

[tcrist]

Awsome. Sounds good. I think that I will order some and the alignment saver set up also. I like the way that you turned your frame bracket. Looks like the correct way that it should be.

Thanks, Terry

[onefastmustang]

thanks.. I took it for a 40 mile drive this morning after I put them on.. Big difference in the front end.. I really like it..

[Curt C.]

OneFast, I think you need to rotate your frame bracket 90 degrees. Compare your orientation to the manufacture picture. This will give the arm more motion if needed. It is a very nice part and allows the front end to function better without the bind.

[onefastmustang]

Thanks.. Ill take look at that.. You may be right about that.

[tcrist]

Wouldn't the bracket the way that it is in the RCC picture allow the bracket to flex horizontally? If you bump into a tire stop to hard. Especially as the bracket is so thin.

Terry