MileHighDart
Well-Known Member
So yesterday i pulled my old lower arms, and strut rods to replace them with a new set of boxed lower arms, and Hotchkis adjustable strut rods.
I'm not sure I'm happy with the adjustment I ended up with. For something called adjustable, they dont give you much range, if you're going by the instructions. They state, that the maximum extended length is to have .615" of thread showing between the lock nut and the end of the threads on the heim joint.
I adjusted the best I could without going over that amount, and thought I was good, had smooth range of motion, no binding. Until I tightened down the the nut at the rear of the strut rod. These rods are similar to stock in that they fit tightly into the control arm, and have to be pulled into the control arm with the nut to get the last 1/4" or so, so they are seated completely in the socket. Once I tightened them down I basically lost 1/4" in length, so the strut rod is now pulling the control arm forward, and there is some binding, or dragging in the motion up and down. I am already at the .615" or so on the adjustment.
Is it ok, to go over their recommended amount of extension by 1/4", or would I be better off removing the bars, and getting a couple of thick fender washers to put under the mount at the front to gain a little length. (that would be more work since I have it pretty much back together).
These are nice looking bars and I'm sure they'll work just fine once I get the adjustment right. But the only thing I dont like is that once you've seated the rod in the control arm, you cant turn the rod to make a length adjustment, unless you back the nut off, and knock the rod forward a bit so its not stuck in the control arm. Then you're kind of guessing at your adjustment until you tighten it back down again.
As soon as I get the strut adjustment figured out, i'll also be installing the Hotchkis tubular sway bar.
I'm not sure I'm happy with the adjustment I ended up with. For something called adjustable, they dont give you much range, if you're going by the instructions. They state, that the maximum extended length is to have .615" of thread showing between the lock nut and the end of the threads on the heim joint.
I adjusted the best I could without going over that amount, and thought I was good, had smooth range of motion, no binding. Until I tightened down the the nut at the rear of the strut rod. These rods are similar to stock in that they fit tightly into the control arm, and have to be pulled into the control arm with the nut to get the last 1/4" or so, so they are seated completely in the socket. Once I tightened them down I basically lost 1/4" in length, so the strut rod is now pulling the control arm forward, and there is some binding, or dragging in the motion up and down. I am already at the .615" or so on the adjustment.
Is it ok, to go over their recommended amount of extension by 1/4", or would I be better off removing the bars, and getting a couple of thick fender washers to put under the mount at the front to gain a little length. (that would be more work since I have it pretty much back together).
These are nice looking bars and I'm sure they'll work just fine once I get the adjustment right. But the only thing I dont like is that once you've seated the rod in the control arm, you cant turn the rod to make a length adjustment, unless you back the nut off, and knock the rod forward a bit so its not stuck in the control arm. Then you're kind of guessing at your adjustment until you tighten it back down again.
As soon as I get the strut adjustment figured out, i'll also be installing the Hotchkis tubular sway bar.
