Suspension Notice for S/SS by NHRA

[Mark Yacavone]

Originally Posted by SSDiv6

Do they mean that these are illegal?

I would say legal, Joe.
They don't look like spherical bearings or heims to me

[Tom Goldman]

I read this as only pertaining to replacing strut rod donut bushings with heims.
I've worked on and aligned many AMC's Fords,Mopars And GM's with heims replacing the bushing and see no benefit other than safety .[ OK mabe a little header clearance ]
Mabe NHRA should ask Bob Bender how his car handled at the top end when it split a rubber strut bushing out after the launch. ,yes that tank has a strut rod front suspension.
Alowing you to use a heim to replace a tie rod end ,but not allowing their use on a strut rod is foolish , at least in Super Stock.
This really needs to be addressed by the S/SS racer reps as soon as possible.

[SSDiv6]

Originally Posted by Mark Yacavone

I would say so, Joe.
They don't look like spherical bearings or heims to me

Mark,

The ones in the picture are the offerings for the Mopars.
As I understand, Gary Wisecarver also offers a needle bearing bushing for the GM cars.

I would assume the rule will also affect Fords and AMC's with the Open Tracker Spherical Bearing control arms too.

Ford Mustang




AMC



Chevy II

[Tom Goldman]

If you can trust NHRA's wording ,a speherical bearing is one designed to allow angular, or radial misalignment ,such as would happen to a locating strut rod during normal suspension travel.
I've used these with a weld cup at the front of a Mopar strut rod, in place of the rubber.

[SSDiv6]

Originally Posted by Tom Goldman

I read this as only pertaining to replacing strut rod donut bushings with heims.
I've worked on and aligned many AMC's Fords,Mopars And GM's with heims replacing the bushing and see no benefit other than safety .[ OK mabe a little header clearance ]
Mabe NHRA should ask Bob Bender how his car handled at the top end when it split a rubber strut bushing out after the launch. ,yes that tank has a strut rod front suspension.
Alowing you to use a heim to replace a tie rod end ,but not allowing their use on a strut rod is foolish , at least in Super Stock.
This really needs to be addressed by the S/SS racer reps as soon as possible.

Tom,
The clarification as written is too broad; it does not specifically say strut rods:

"The NHRA Technical department wants to remind Stock and Super Stock Eliminator competitors the use of spherical bearings / heim joints is prohibited.

The 2013 NHRA Rulebook, section 10A page 7 and section 11A page 5 SUSPENSION FRONT reads in-part “Must retain complete stock front suspension system as produced be manufacturer for body used."

The use of spherical bearings or heim joints to replace the bushing in any vehicle is in violation of the NHRA Rulebook. Competitors with spherical bearings or heim joints must bring their vehicle into full compliance with NHRA rules and regulations; prior to their next event."

The way I read the statement is that spherical bearing and/or heim joints are prohibited and not to be used in any suspension component and must reamin stock or as produced.

[Mark Yacavone]

Jeez.... What do you guys want for your thousands spent with NHRA every year...Clarity?

There goes my Christmas card from Glendora :-(

[Crew Chief]

I talked to the tech dept about this subject. They said the clarification applies to cars that have had the front bushings on the adjustable strut rods replaced with heim joints or ball type joints. Cars that use true lower control A-arms are not affected because they do not use a strut rod.

This all started with a complaint to the tech dept about a SS/AH car. When researched, several of the cars were found to have modified the front suspension strut rods.

Early Novas, early Mustangs, Thunderbolts, Mopars, and any other car with a lower control arm that incorporates a single bushing attaching it to the frame also fall into this category. If your Stock or S/S car has a strut rod and it has been modified, then it needs to be changed back to the stock type bushing set up.

[Tom keedle]

Originally Posted by Crew Chief

I talked to the tech dept about this subject. They said the clarification applies to cars that have had the front bushings on the adjustable strut rods replaced with heim joints or ball type joints. Cars that use true lower control A-arms are not affected because they do not use a strut rod.

This all started with a complaint to the tech dept about a SS/AH car. When researched, several of the cars were found to have modified the front suspension strut rods.

Early Novas, early Mustangs, Thunderbolts, Mopars, and any other car with a lower control arm that incorporates a single bushing attaching it to the frame also fall into this category. If your Stock or S/S car has a strut rod and it has been modified, then it needs to be changed back to the stock type bushing set up.

not that anybody cares but pre 70 (69 and earlier) amc's had strut rods too.

[Mark Yacavone]

Originally Posted by Tom keedle

not that anybody cares but pre 70 (69 and earlier) amc's had strut rods too.

....and 65-70 full size Chevys

[Jeff Teuton]

The NCIS (National Cajun Investigative Service) has been on the job. Seems the issues here are twofold. One is the spherical bearing on the end of the strut rods instead of the old rubber bushing. Is it worth something, safer, both maybe. I think we can all agree it's safer. What is on your car? The other issue is the heim joint on the end of the strut rod instead of the aforementioned old bushing. I guess both do the same thing. Seems one was noticed in Chicago (spherical) and the other was on a couple SS/AH cars somewhere. Something to do with the width of the frame members (B instead of A body). Maybe yall with an interest in this could email me jefft@southlanddodge.com and we could see just what problems might be addressed at the same time. I think we need an answer before next season, and the SRAC is basically over for this year and election for members is on the horizon. And it's the Holiday Season. I think this affects old and new cars depending on model. I have some of each. Interest? Send me what you think. Pictures welcome. Racing season is closer than I like and nobody needs to get pitched because of some bushing.