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I am trying to find the gentleman I purchased custom stabilizers for my 2004 Ex from back in roughly 2005. I believe I found him on this forum. He used to work designing submarines back in Virginia at the time. I could be wrong on the state, but it was definitely around that location. He designed and manufactured the stabilizers himself. He sold several of them on the forum at the time from what I remember.
I need to replace the U-joints that came with it so that I can have them reinstalled. I really miss having them. Right now, the other components are just sitting on the rear seat floor of my Ex, doing nothing but being greasy and taking up floor space. I cannot find anyone locally who has any U-joints that are the correct size.
If this is you or you know who it is, I would appreciate your insight. Or if you could suggest a source for the replacement of the U-joints, that would also be most helpful.
That may a member with the profile Landyot. His profile says he is from VA. He started off buying an Ex and was dissatisfied with his rear suspension. He went through several homemade kits he built until he got one that made him feel better about his rear suspension. Several members asked him to make a kit for them which he did.
That does very much sound like it could be him. Thank you!
Originally Posted by kabcpapc
That may a member with the profile Landyot. His profile says he is from VA. He started off buying an Ex and was dissatisfied with his rear suspension. He went through several homemade kits he built until he got one that made him feel better about his rear suspension. Several members asked him to make a kit for them which he did.
Those are radius rods. I had 2 sets and felt like they help tracking when I hit bumps.
They very much did help, especially when taking a turn and the bump is at the apex. They kept the Ex from going goosy and jumping its rear out.
Calling them radius rods may help more than you think. I still have all the emails from way back when, but when I searched for "struts" or "suspension", nothing came up. I am going to try searching for "radius rods" now, as that kind of rings a bell with my old memory.
I am trying to find the gentleman I purchased custom stabilizers for my 2004 Ex from back in roughly 2005. I believe I found him on this forum. He used to work designing submarines back in Virginia at the time. I could be wrong on the state, but it was definitely around that location. He designed and manufactured the stabilizers himself. He sold several of them on the forum at the time from what I remember.
I need to replace the U-joints that came with it so that I can have them reinstalled. I really miss having them. Right now, the other components are just sitting on the rear seat floor of my Ex, doing nothing but being greasy and taking up floor space. I cannot find anyone locally who has any U-joints that are the correct size.
If this is you or you know who it is, I would appreciate your insight. Or if you could suggest a source for the replacement of the U-joints, that would also be most helpful.
Thanks,
How about a picture? I don’t recall the Landyot Radius Rods having any U-joints on them. I remember them clamping to the rear axle housing and having a poly bushing at the front mounting point. Could they be some other product that uses a Universal Joint, typically U-joints are only seen on driveshafts and axle knuckles……..?
EDIT: I finished my coffee and realized that you might have meant the U-bolts that hold the Radius Rods to the rear axle, that now makes sense to me. Good news is that @Landyot isn’t long gone, he did last visit the site on 11-13-2021, hopefully he will get this ping and hop in to help you out. If not and you have the original U-bolts maybe you could provide the measurements and the group can help find the correct replacements. Pictures always help.
Glad to hear I haven't been forgotten. I no longer build the radius-rods and do not have any U-bolts on hand anymore. They were standard 1/2" thread U-bolts measuring 3-1/2" between the legs. Some sellers may call them 3" U-bolts since they fit around 3" NPS pipe ... and 3" pipe measures 3-1/2" O.D.
EDIT TO ADD: I ASSUME you're talking about the U-bolts which wrap around the axle tube and NOT the square U-bolt that went around the leaf springs on the very early kits.
Glad to hear I haven't been forgotten. I no longer build the radius-rods and do not have any U-bolts on hand anymore. They were standard 1/2" thread U-bolts measuring 3-1/2" between the legs. Some sellers may call them 3" U-bolts since they fit around 3" NPS pipe ... and 3" pipe measures 3-1/2" O.D.
Never forgotten. I have a pretty good memory to remember where I found you, what you did for a living and where you lived. I just could not remember your handle.
I had a shop put them on for me all those years ago, so I do not remember what they looked like. Right now, they are greasy, dirty and on the rear seat floor. I have not picked them up to look at them because I try to keep my hands clean and they are well, not so clean. But the one remaining U bolt is curved. The guy who I just had look at the Ex's rear end noises gave me them back and the one remaining U bolt. I'll try to go out to the vehicle and measure it tomorrow, but being in a wheelchair now, simple things get planned out well in advance.
I'm so glad you chimed in and helped out. Thanks a bunch!
I'll give them a call on Monday and see if they can match me up with the right size nyloks. As far as material, I am presuming zinc coated or plated, right? I might be pushing 70, but I do remember something about rust issues worsened by conflicting metals, and zinc needed for exposed weathered metals, but that's about all I remember.
EDIT TO ADD: I ASSUME you're talking about the U-bolts which wrap around the axle tube and NOT the square U-bolt that went around the leaf springs on the very early kits.
Well, two things. First, Fastenex is impossible to deal with and their web site does not let you buy those u-bolts. Second, that was actually a good thing. I managed to get the one remaining u-bolt, and low and behold, it is a square one! So I am guessing that I have the old style @Landyot ? I am attaching 3 pictures of the old one with a measuring tape. Seems the one leg got bent and the other leg was sheared off.
I have been searching now for literally a couple of hours to find a replacement. This is the best that I can find. It includes the nylock washers, too. What do you think? Are they a good replacement? Should I find something else?
I know they are longer than the original, but the thread does seem to go up far enough to still be workable. I am hoping the extra length will not interfere with anything. Do you remember if that is going to be a problem?
Dobermann ... I cannot view the Amazon link you sent, but I doubt that item will work because I had those square U-bolts custom made to my dimensions. Sending you a private message.
Do You Recognize This Person?
Good news is that @Landyot isn’t long gone, he did last visit the site on 11-13-2021, hopefully he will get this ping and hop in to help you out. If not and you have the original U-bolts maybe you could provide the measurements and the group can help find the correct replacements. Pictures always help. 
