Front strut stem broke - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

darcycook · 11-10-2023, 12:36 AM

I needed input I have a2013 LT With a 2in. Lift on struts. I was backing up very slow turning the steering wheel clock wise almost much to max and heard a snap it was the front left strut the stem snapped about 2in. Down from top. Very weird. Any thinking ��

gtstorey · 11-10-2023, 08:06 AM

2" lift? Probably not going to be much feedback, since not very common to lift a Camaro.

1JEWLDSSRS · 11-10-2023, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtstorey

2" lift? Probably not going to be much feedback, since not very common to lift a Camaro.

I was thinking the same thing.. Whaattt ??? Lifted??

There's your first problem..

Infidel67 · 11-10-2023, 06:03 PM

Not much help from me, cause we're more like "How low can you Go"

darcycook · 11-10-2023, 06:18 PM

like strut stem broke , i think it was the backing up with a turned wheel?

darcycook · 11-10-2023, 06:20 PM

as for the lift i am 67 old school

PaulsSS · 11-11-2023, 11:55 PM

I think I know what happened, you lifted it and either removed or modified the upper strut mounts. They have about a inch or so play designed in so when the wheels are turned hard and the steering geometry gets extreme the top of the struts can move so they don't break off. LOL If you had looked closely when the car was stock turning the wheels to lock you would have seen as you get close to lock the upper mounts give and take stress off the struts. I suggest to go back to stock and first understand how the steering reacts to lock inputs before something worse while traveling forward occurs.

darcycook · 11-12-2023, 02:07 PM

O my yes. Makes sense. I didn’t know how it worked. I bought a 2in. Spacer that screws on the top of strut. From universalcatlifts.com I was extremely lucky I was close to my home or I could have it towed about 2 miles to do the repair

darcycook · 11-12-2023, 02:36 PM

I don’t know how to post an image from my iPhone picture library

bsn · 11-12-2023, 06:02 PM

Your only a few years older than me, we used to keep the front end stock and raised the rear. Back in the early 80's we got smart and lowered the rear and loosened the front so we could actually get traction.

1JEWLDSSRS · 11-13-2023, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bsn

Your only a few years older than me, we used to keep the front end stock and raised the rear. Back in the early 80's we got smart and lowered the rear and loosened the front so we could actually get traction.

Yep, I'm 66. And back in the "old school" days we used to run 50/50 shocks in the rear so it would "squat" and go, ran 90/10 race shocks in the front to as bsn said, "loosen" it up so it would raise up and transfer the weight to the rear.

darcycook · 11-13-2023, 06:10 PM

Well my goal was cosmetics but I realize now that the way the lift at the top if you’re going to be safe. The left neeeded to be at the bottom. And they make those.

11-10-2023, 12:36 AM	#1
darcycook Drives: 2013 v6 auto 1LT Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Indiana Posts: 96	Front strut stem broke I needed input I have a2013 LT With a 2in. Lift on struts. I was backing up very slow turning the steering wheel clock wise almost much to max and heard a snap it was the front left strut the stem snapped about 2in. Down from top. Very weird. Any thinking �� Last edited by darcycook; 11-10-2023 at 12:57 AM.

11-10-2023, 06:03 PM	#4
Infidel67 Life's just a Ride Drives: 2011 Synergy Camaro 2SS/RS LS3 Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Columbia SC Posts: 854 View My Garage	Not much help from me, cause we're more like "How low can you Go" __________________ 2011 Synergy Camaro 2SS/RS Ls3, LTH, CAI Custom Intake, TSP stage-3 111-LSA Cam, RWHP 503/508

11-10-2023, 08:06 AM	#2
gtstorey Drives: 2010 Camaro SS2,L99, LSA SC Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 2,155	2" lift? Probably not going to be much feedback, since not very common to lift a Camaro.

11-10-2023, 06:18 PM	#5
darcycook Drives: 2013 v6 auto 1LT Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Indiana Posts: 96	like strut stem broke , i think it was the backing up with a turned wheel?

11-10-2023, 06:20 PM	#6
darcycook Drives: 2013 v6 auto 1LT Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Indiana Posts: 96	as for the lift i am 67 old school

11-11-2023, 11:55 PM	#7
PaulsSS Drives: 15SS Camaro Join Date: Dec 2020 Location: US Posts: 346	I think I know what happened, you lifted it and either removed or modified the upper strut mounts. They have about a inch or so play designed in so when the wheels are turned hard and the steering geometry gets extreme the top of the struts can move so they don't break off. LOL If you had looked closely when the car was stock turning the wheels to lock you would have seen as you get close to lock the upper mounts give and take stress off the struts. I suggest to go back to stock and first understand how the steering reacts to lock inputs before something worse while traveling forward occurs.

11-12-2023, 02:07 PM	#8
darcycook Drives: 2013 v6 auto 1LT Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Indiana Posts: 96	O my yes. Makes sense. I didn’t know how it worked. I bought a 2in. Spacer that screws on the top of strut. From universalcatlifts.com I was extremely lucky I was close to my home or I could have it towed about 2 miles to do the repair

11-12-2023, 02:36 PM	#9
darcycook Drives: 2013 v6 auto 1LT Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Indiana Posts: 96	I don’t know how to post an image from my iPhone picture library

11-12-2023, 06:02 PM	#10
bsn Drives: 2013 ZL1 Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: Virginia Posts: 301	Your only a few years older than me, we used to keep the front end stock and raised the rear. Back in the early 80's we got smart and lowered the rear and loosened the front so we could actually get traction.

11-13-2023, 06:10 PM	#12
darcycook Drives: 2013 v6 auto 1LT Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Indiana Posts: 96	Well my goal was cosmetics but I realize now that the way the lift at the top if you’re going to be safe. The left neeeded to be at the bottom. And they make those.