just found their "racing camber struts" as well.
Where is a good place to acquire quality heim joints?

Where is a good place to acquire quality heim joints?
Hillco Fasteners. 714-657-7455just found their "racing camber struts" as well.
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Where is a good place to acquire quality heim joints?
thanks for the heads up. Speedway is here in Lincoln, so I'll probably hit them up for some ends. Any thoughts on 5/8" vs. 3/4"?Aurora rod ends are the best.
Try speedwaymotors.com
I would probably get chromoly ones
They are about 20 each
You'll also have to make the spacers
The smart strut bracket is supposed to correct it to 1* change over the movement of travel. I would call Pattie at VB and P tomarrow and ask how much for the HD Helm struts with the smart strut bracket would cost. Tell her you are a friend of Big Bird. She should give you 10% off.rather than spend $175 at VB&P I've decided to make my own HD strut rods. I bought 1" diameter aluminum for the rod. Will 5/8" heim joints be sufficient or should I go 3/4"?
Furthermore, what's the difference between their "HD strut rod" kit and their "smart strut" kit besides the new bracket?
HD strut rods:
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smart struts:
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looks to me like the smart struts still have poly bushings rather than heim joints... Suggestions?
5/8 is the size on the shock mountthanks for the heads up. Speedway is here in Lincoln, so I'll probably hit them up for some ends. Any thoughts on 5/8" vs. 3/4"?
My real concern is this... Are these things as simple as they seem? Is the original system so bad that these things are a huge step up? Or is there something I'm missing that will make this project a waste of time and raw material if I don't take it into account?
I'm assuming the square plate at one end is to replace the funky cam-bolt in the original system?
not heavily, no. Just have the tools available to make these things for cheap so I thought I'd take on a little project. Mostly just spirited street driving at this point. Might do some racing later on, but there are a lot of improvement to make before then...5/8 is the size on the shock mount
Are you planning on racing?
for the shock mount. The cam bolt is 1/2.5/8 is the correct size...
not on my two cars...5/8-5/8for the shock mount. The cam bolt is 1/2.
Like some already stated 5/8th is the way to go. If you make your own you need a left and right 5/8th tap. That is not cheap.not heavily, no. Just have the tools available to make these things for cheap so I thought I'd take on a little project. Mostly just spirited street driving at this point. Might do some racing later on, but there are a lot of improvement to make before then...
I hate the flats on your rods. They are much too thin. This is one of the major complaints I had with VBP streader bars. The flats didn't allow a good hold with a wrench.
Look at the picture I copied from you. Look at the flats. Can you put a wrench on the flat and another one on the nut and tighten the two against each other for a good lock???thanks for the examples guys, those are very helpful :thumbsup:
also, thanks for the tip on the 16 mm bolt, Norval. We're getting a sample 5/8" LH tap here at work where I'll be doing the fabrication so I'll save on that cost.
I hate the ones in the middle also. The flat itself is the problem.I like the small flats at the end, that way the wrench can't slip sideways. I always use 2 wrenches angled slightly apart, one on the nut and one on the flat and then squeeze them togehter to tighten it doesn. You can't do that it the flat is in the middle.
Ok I'm glad you're so passionate about it. They seem to work ok for me. I got a good deal on the DOM tube. Help me understand your wrench? Assuming it's not a flare nut wrench how many points does it use to apply force at one time ?I hate the flats on your rods. They are much too thin. This is one of the major complaints I had with VBP streader bars. The flats didn't allow a good hold with a wrench.
I like a complete wide hex on all my rods.
I bought 1 inch hex aluminum and turned the center section down to smooth leaving the hex for about 2 inches on either end for a good hold with a wrench.
I have 7 of these homemade strut rods on my car.