ADJUSTABLE STRUT RODS AND REINFORCED K-FRAME

[Mopar Mitch]

I'm planning to change the factory lower strut rods, and rubber bushings for the front of the strut rods, to adjustable-type, possibly the FIRM FEEL adjustable strut rods with their poly front bushings.  Also, I, planning to have the FIRM FEEL K-Frame strengthening kit installed, which includes a reinforcement semi-round washer that gets welded to the front of the K-frame where the strut rod bushing is located.

However, I have some concerns:

1.  Life of the poly front strut-rod bushings?  Will they wear and deteriorate/crumble, etc over time?
2.  With the flexing of the strut rod, as the strut rod moves up/down with suspension travel, does this further cause the poly bushings to wear and fail?  the rubber bushings have lasted me many years without failure (and lots of competition AX/HSAX/HPDE, etc over the past ~40 years... rubber strut bushings replaced only once ~20 years ago).

3. I'm also considering the option of the heim-joint adjustable strut rods, such as PST, Hotchkis or similar design other brands.  However, those designs use a a pair of solid steel thick (~1/8"?) front washers to attach to the front of the k-frame.   SO... would a re-inforced K-frame, with the Firm Feel welded re-inforcement at the front of K-frame, have any positive or negative performance effects, life, etc, with the solid-steel washers as with the PST/Hothckis etc design strut rods?

As most of you know, I use my Challenger for AX/HSAX/HPDE track events, and its street/hwy driven (maybe to be trailered eventually again, in a few years maybe.

T/Anks ahead for any replies!

[drewcrane]

I pretty much did exactly what want to do,as well as reinforce the LCA'S,I have some track duty,as well as some long road trips ,and it works very well,your hiway road trips to events will have a bit more road noise,and road feel,but it is tolerable and you will love the adjustable strut rod,and yes over time it will stress the bushings, but that is the trade off of modifying theses old cars ,IMO

[crash340]

I have the FF strut rods and poly bushes in my street Cuda, no issues after 5000 miles

[BIGSHCLUNK]

I run PST's - installed maybe 5 years ago. NO ISSUES 

And she's just a bit front heavy... 

[Mopar Mitch]

T/Anks for the above replies...  Another question of concern:

With the welded front FF reinforcement washer, and WITH the PST or Hotchkis type strut rods, is there enough threading remaining to still attach the front assembly through that extra thickness so that the nut would still properly attach?

[dakota]

I have the QA1 adjustable strut rods and the FF K-member stiffening kit installed.  Just mocked up one side this morning.  No fitment issues at all. 

[1 Wild R/T]

Over in Ford land poly strut rod bushings have been around since at least the 70's & they get some love but also have shown problems.....  Since they don't deflect like a rubber bushing more stress is transferred to the strut rod itself.... That can lead to the strut rod failing because it flexes..... Hence the heim joint or ball socket joint style strut rods becoming popular... Another option that some Ford guys use is using poly strut rod bushing halves only on the compression side (front) of the strut rod connection & using a metal lined rubber bushing on the back side.....