91formulaSS

For people w/ Spohn Adj. T/A. Did you go with the poly or rod-end mount, and why? Does bind play a factor like it does on the Rear Lower Control Arm. I want to hear the pros and cons. My car is for the street and too many rod-ends in my suspension make me nervous.

Thanks in advance

RB83L69

I have a poly one. It does not bind.

I also have poly rear LCAs. They do not bind.

If you're worried about binding, use rod ends. That's what they're for, is to avoid that. But personally I think all that controversy is alot of noise over nothing.

onebluemcm

By "rod-end" are you guys referring to the spherical-end connectors? I'm assuming so. And yes, from experience they do with out a doubt increase chassis/road noise in the interior. I had Spohn adj LCAs with poly/spherical combo ends and even with poly on the chassis end, the increase in noise transfer to the interior was easily noticable. The sound was just like having someone at the back with a hammer hitting the chassis with every imperfection on the road - easily noticable and quite annoying for me - mine is a street car too.

As for the torque arm mount at the trans being a spherical end I have two thoughts. First is that although the torque arm attaches to the trans, any vibration has to get through the trans cross member mount (and motor mounts for that matter) before getting into the chassis. So, if your trans mount is still rubber, it may not increase noise transfer too much - MAY not..... The other thought is this - with this spherical, rod-end mounted at the trans and located right beneath the front seats, even though it's not mounted directly to the chassis (as LCA are) it may still be easily heard just because of it's location regardless of the type of trans mount.

Of course, if you're talking about something else, I've been babbling for nothing...........

Anyway, your decision in then end - I got rid of my LCA's for the all the dang road noise they made.

K

EDIT: Of, as for binding, the poly bushing would probably not cause binding in this application. The bushing doesn't see much range of motion at all and is at a huge mechanical disadvantage - the forces involved in moving the torque arm within the bushing are large - car weight compressing the suspension and engine torque trying to rotate the axle housing. Point being that the small poly bushing wouldn't prevail over these forces by binding and it isn't made to move much at all anyway. Hope this helps.

91formulaSS

Actuallly the Spohn torque arm I was refering to mounts directly to the new trans. x member that comes with it, it does not mount to the transmision like the stock TA. So this would probably make any noise from the rod-end more aparent. I think I will go with the poly version. But I would like to hear more testimonial from people who are using this TA before I make a final decision.

RB83L69

Rod ends are used to eliminate binding. However, they increase road noise, as detailed above; and offer little if any benefit for street driving.

I'm quite happy with my Spohn poly bushing torque arm. I would strongly recommend it for improved traction and general car stiffness and solidity.

91formulaSS

Quote "Rod ends....offer little if any benefit for street driving."

I was under the impression that they are better that poly for the street. I spoke with someone at Spohn via e-mail a while back about rear LCA. They told me for street driving I should go with poly/rod combo. Were they just trying to sell me on rod-ends or what?

onebluemcm

Spohn has got a great reputation around here. I, and many others here have no reason to say anything negative about the company. It would seem that whom ever you talked with was trying to push the poly/spherical combo though. I can't say enough that they are too harsh for street driving (the tollerable-for-long-periods-of-time kind) and in all actuality are mostly limited to racing apps, drag, autocross or other. Try not to get too down on Spohn - they do make excellet, well engineered chassis and suspension components for a wide variety of apps.

91formulaSS

"they do make excellet, well engineered chassis and suspension components for a wide variety of apps."

I couldn't agree with you more. And I wasn't trying to "get down" on or "say anything negative about the company." I was just stating that they seem to think that it is a good set up for the street. And informed me that the rod-ends that they use should not cause a problem and last up tp 50,000 miles in a daily driven street application, with little if any incread road noise.

MdFormula350

i went with the standard poly up front and have no problems.