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Author Topic: Strut rods-what are they for on the Pinto?  (Read 608 times)

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Offline russosborne

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Strut rods-what are they for on the Pinto?
« on: February 02, 2019, 12:21:05 AM »
Are they used for alignment like on a
Mustang?
Something I never thought about until now. :-[
Thanks
Russ
In Glendale, Arizona

RIP Casey, Mallory, Abby, and Sadie. We miss you.

79 Pinto ESS fully caged fun car. In progress. 8inch 4.10 gears. 351C and a T5 waiting to go in.

Offline oldkayaker

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Re: Strut rods-what are they for on the Pinto?
« Reply #1 on: February 02, 2019, 12:34:49 AM »
On the Pintos I have seen (71-73 & 79), the strut rods are a fixed length and not intentionally adjustable.  The Pinto's use the upper control arm adjustable inner attachment for alignment (castor and camber) adjustments.
Jerry J - Jupiter, Florida

Offline Wittsend

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Re: Strut rods-what are they for on the Pinto?
« Reply #2 on: February 02, 2019, 10:31:45 AM »
On my Datsun 510 the strut rods are fixed from the factory. But my friend who gave it to me added aftermarket adjustable rods. The 510 is a McPherson strut car and without special upper pieces everything is "fixed" except for toe. But if there are other options at the upper A-arm then I can't see an advantage on a Pinto. It is probably not good on the lower inner A-arm bushing either.

In the "do at your own risk" category if you desired more caster one could cut the inner rubber bushing and then add extra washers to the outer rubber bushing. But I think there is a rather small limit to how much you can remove and still have motion in the joint.  For sure this will throw toe off and it will need to be adjusted. On my Sunbeam Tiger the caster is adjustable at the A-arm BUT..., the crossmember is removable and wedges are used between it and the frame rail to also set caster.