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Options for replacing rear struts needed.


lukehemstreet

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I just ordered some high strength threaded rod and couplers from Mc Master Carr.  I will post pictures when I get the items.  Almost as much as the struts were.  

 

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On 10/18/2022 at 11:21 AM, jon L said:

It looks like all 0f the Reatta owners have purchased a set of clamps, because they are sold out.

Sorry I missed it, where are the clamps sold?

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On 10/18/2022 at 11:11 AM, Ronnie said:

Below is a photo of me going into a curve really hard on the Tail of The Dragon. I was pushing it hard enough that I could feel the front tires walking toward the outside of the curve.   If you use some imagination you might think the rear tire is about to lift off the pavement. I wish my friend in his blue Cobra replica behind me had been a little closer going into that curve. He would have noticed it if the tire came off the ground and told me about it.

 

I think if I'd had the new Cardone struts on my Reatta with less extended length and less travel the inside rear wheel might've had daylight under it. In this situation I don't see that as being a problem. I don't think that inside rear tire was providing much grip anyway. 🙂

 

 

killboy - 3.jpg

IMG_20170923_123254966_HDR.jpg

@RonnieI think the shadows are playing tricks. If you zoom way in, it looks like that tire is still on the ground.Screenshot_20221019-232844_Bromite.thumb.png.65399f5f860c2cb77e5dd92ccfcc6367.png

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10 hours ago, Philbo said:

@RonnieI think the shadows are playing tricks. If you zoom way in, it looks like that tire is still on the ground.

Yeah, I zoomed in on the photo before I posted. That is the reason I said, "If you use some imagination you might think the rear tire is about to lift ".  I just like to post photos of my car. 🙂 

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27 minutes ago, Ronnie said:

Yeah, I zoomed in on the photo before I posted. That is the reason I said, "If you use some imagination you might think the rear tire is about to lift ".  I just like to post photos of my car. 🙂 

I recall watching an SCCA race at Lime Rock with a Volkswagen Rabbit taking corners full speed on three wheels. With the Reatta, independent rear suspension is mostly about comfort and ride quality.

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On 10/17/2022 at 7:49 PM, ErnieR said:

It is for a pair but the fit info is wrong, really 93 only.  92 is just like the Reatta.  No sway bar on the Allante, I don't know why.  That may be my next endeavor.  I understand the travel length issue.  I'm going to try it any way since no harm will be done to any original pieces.  It will be awhile since I have something else on my QuickJack that needs to be completed.  Nothing fancy just a new engine for my 89 Cherokee.  I measured the body of the Cardone units and it is 11" not including the mount piece on the bottom.  I verified the 5" travel.  I'm curious what the extended piece on the Reatta strut measures.  I took a measurement from the top of the body to the spot where the mounting bushings obviously sit.  Clamps sre available lots of Places but this vendor was the least expensive.  Fast ship no problems.409604728_Screenshot2022-10-17194805.png.d7f0ea10ecbb17efd56db978c24c0e8c.png

This is where I got mine, least expensive, but they are available through Jegs, Summit, and most custom coil-over suppliers.

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I want to thank everyone for participating in this thread. Even though we are still in the FO-FA stage, I think eventually we will find a solution that will work. This Cardone strut looks really promising. I hope it works out without too much modification Maybe it can be made to work with no modification to the strut by just adding a few over-the-counter parts. I have practically new struts front and rear on my Reatta but I'm still interested in seeing a rear strut found that will work. 

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3 hours ago, Padgett said:

How is the bottom different  Is it adaptable ? YWTK

74253CF9-7C76-4B32-AFB7-A5105E33E631.jpeg.47886e71827a67ada56e44e8c2bec9f6.jpegClose up of the bottom mounts. 
1993 Allante aftermarket (L) and OEM (R). 
 

The arrows are pointing to the location of the pinch bolt that secured the bottom of the strut to the knuckle on the OEM unit (R) and a potential location on the Allante aftermarket unit (L). 
 

Slight grinding/modification may be necessary on the aftermarket unit to install in the rear knuckle. 
 

The original through hole mounting on the aftermarket unit may not be used if the pinch bolt bolts it securely. 
 

Hope that this clarifies. 
 

Once installed, will take photos if successful. 

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Just arrived (was a pair) and that makes sense. Have had Reattae for a couple of decades now and never noticed that. Surprised there is no bushing.

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9 hours ago, Ronnie said:

Yeah, I zoomed in on the photo before I posted. That is the reason I said, "If you use some imagination you might think the rear tire is about to lift ".  I just like to post photos of my car. 🙂 

Well it is a pretty nice picture. Looks like a fun drive too.

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5 hours ago, Ronnie said:

I want to thank everyone for participating in this thread. Even though we are still in the FO-FA stage, I think eventually we will find a solution that will work. This Cardone strut looks really promising. I hope it works out without too much modification Maybe it can be made to work with no modification to the strut by just adding a few over-the-counter parts. I have practically new struts front and rear on my Reatta but I'm still interested in seeing a rear strut found that will work. 

Do you by any chance have the old ones? And if yes would you be willing to part with them? I'm looking for a 2nd set of worn ones to experiment with.

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16 minutes ago, Philbo said:

Do you by any chance have the old ones? And if yes would you be willing to part with them? I'm looking for a 2nd set of worn ones to experiment with.

I didn't keep them. I would be happy to donate them to the cause if I had them.

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Are the Koni cut a strut products still available?  If so, giving serious thought about modeling a billet machined adapter that would directly accept such an insert and include a sway bar attachment.   I can model the adapter and I work with quite a few machine shops in the Fox Valley in WI who could readily produce such an animal, I just need the dimensions of an insert that would work.  The outside diameter of the adapter would be the same as the OE strut so it would fit directly into the knuckle.  The ID of the adapter would be the same as the OD of the insert.  The depth of the pocket would be appropriate for the overall length of the strut to get everything to work.

 

Hoping to make a fully engineered solution.

Edited by alchemist
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1 hour ago, alchemist said:

Are the Koni cut a strut products still available?  If so, giving serious thought about modeling a billet machined adapter that would directly accept such an insert and include a sway bar attachment.   I can model the adapter and I work with quite a few machine shops in the Fox Valley in WI who could readily produce such an animal, I just need the dimensions of an insert that would work.  The outside diameter of the adapter would be the same as the OE strut so it would fit directly into the knuckle.  The ID of the adapter would be the same as the OD of the insert.  The depth of the pocket would be appropriate for the overall length of the strut to get everything to work.

 

Hoping to make a fully engineered solution.

So I found these: https://www.koni-na.com/en-US/NorthAmerica/Products/Accessories/Race-Single/

 

I contacted Koni about them and got this response.

2099148528_Koniemail.thumb.png.4cd6ffafdf762b275e57d8d9d3a96150.png

 

I proceeded to ask if there is a cut a strut option for the Reatta (which I doubt), and if not if they would be willing to add it.  I also asked if he could provide me with a list of the cut a struts that they do offer.  I have not heard back yet.

 

That said, I think the 8610 Race cartridges could work.  They only have a 6" stroke, but other than that, I think would fit pretty closely. I was thinking the same thing of just fabricating a custom housing for the 8610 cartridges.

 

Still hoping to hear back from the Koni Rep.  Maybe we can all bombard his email and he'll think it is a big business opportunity for them to add a cut a strut for the reatta :classic_biggrin:.  I would think this would be the perfect kind of application for a cut a strut type solution.

 

UPDATE:

So I'm dumb, that email above was actually his reply to my question if they had a cut-a-strut for the Reatta.  In his original email he pretty much said the same thing (hence my mistake) except he did mention that the 8610 Race cartridge is held in by a gland nut from the top (compared to the Cut a Strut being a bolt through the bottom of the housing).

Edited by Philbo
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Reply from Koni rep:

IMG_20221021_102918.thumb.jpg.5b1b351249e1e83bd1f7df4ba8de0c80.jpg

 

This is disappointing to me and I think too simplistic a view of the situation. How many inserts do you sell on a vehicle that has lots of production but many replacement options vs the reatta case where the production is low but no other replacement option. Also I think classic car owners such as ourselves are the type of people more likely to employ a solution like a cut-a-strutt.

 

I am not ready to give up yet. I might start a petition and maybe if we can get enough signatures they would reconsider. More on that soon.

 

That said, I am going to explore the generic ones that he mentions.

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1 hour ago, Philbo said:

Reply from Koni rep:

 

 

This is disappointing to me and I think too simplistic a view of the situation. How many inserts do you sell on a vehicle that has lots of production but many replacement options vs the reatta case where the production is low but no other replacement option. Also I think classic car owners such as ourselves are the type of people more likely to employ a solution like a cut-a-strutt.

 

I am not ready to give up yet. I might start a petition and maybe if we can get enough signatures they would reconsider. More on that soon.

 

That said, I am going to explore the generic ones that he mentions.

Doesnt necessarily need one specific to the Reatta.  As long as it is a cut-a strut, the stroke and overall length are similar, and the diameter of the insert is about 43mm, an appropriate adapter could be made similar to what I designed below.

image.thumb.png.c6ce484a1d8e38951252487fe5582d4b.png

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3 hours ago, alchemist said:

Doesnt necessarily need one specific to the Reatta.  As long as it is a cut-a strut, the stroke and overall length are similar, and the diameter of the insert is about 43mm, an appropriate adapter could be made similar to what I designed below.

image.thumb.png.c6ce484a1d8e38951252487fe5582d4b.png

Yes this is the rout I plan to take as well. He would not give me a list of available cut a struts available with dimensions so the only thing to work off of is the race strut, which, since held in by a gland but, would need a full length housing, but the same concept applies.

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