calpoly-z Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 Well I have my front suspension off putting in new springs and as I was cleaning up the T/C rods for powder coating I noticed that one of them was slightly bent. It's not a big bend, but I was wondering how big a deal this is. Here is a pic: I have a feeling that this has been like this for awhile, and I'm wondering if I put it back on for now if will have any problems. Also when pulling these off I noticed that one of the plastic bushings (I had installed the MSA plastic/aluminum kits a long time ago) had a broken lip. I am planning on just replacing these with rubber or urethane bushings, but I thought it was interesting and something I should inform others about. I'm also pretty sure that this part is from the side with the bent T/C rod. I have no idea how long this has been like this, but I also don't remember any significant impact on that side either. Heres a pic of the broken piece and a good one There does not appear to be any abnormal tire wear, though I have a had a high speed vibration (70+ mph) that I have been battling for a while. Especially during decell when I let off the throttle. I will be trying to source a new rod if any one has one laying around that they would part with, but if this is not a huge deal using a slightly bent rod then I will just throw it back on while I try to find another. I'm waiting on the machine shop to finish my cylinder head so Ive got a week or so before the car will be drivable. I also need two of the large washers that cup the bushings if any one has extras. Suggestions? Ideas? Comments? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clifton Posted October 12, 2008 Share Posted October 12, 2008 On one of my plastic bushings, the same piece broke off. I don't know how long ago but I still run them. It may move a little more in the hole but the specs won't change. I wouldn't worry about the bent one as long as it doesn't bind the rod in the hole with a load on the corner. If it's still centered or close to it you're good. If you can pull hard on it and it's up against the side of the hole. I wouldn't use it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flexicoker Posted October 12, 2008 Share Posted October 12, 2008 I think the bent rod is bad news. That rod sees a ton of compression under braking and a bend like that is going to seriously increase the chances of it buckling under braking. You can try and straighten it yourself, but its probably a better idea to just find a straight one from a junkyard. It probably would be OK to run the bent rod, but my experience is when you catch something like that you should fix it, because you never know when it might fail, and its going to be bad if that fails and you're hauling ass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMortensen Posted October 12, 2008 Share Posted October 12, 2008 At one point maybe 10 years ago I was trying to turn threads onto the stock TC rod to make it adjustable for caster. I found that all the ones I had access to were bent. I can't recall how much, and it might not have been as much as that one, but I wasn't able to run a die down them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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