Go Back   Third Generation F-Body Message Boards > Tech Boards > Suspension / Chassis
Sign in using an external account
Register Forgot Password?

Suspension / Chassis Questions about your suspension? Need chassis advice?

Welcome to ThirdGen.org!
Welcome to ThirdGen.org.

You are currently viewing our forum as a guest, which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our community, at no cost, you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is free, fast and simple, join the ThirdGen.org community today!


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old 09-28-2009, 06:07 AM   #1
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Elk Grove Village
Posts: 630
Car: Firechicken
Engine: 350 + 30 over, 400 crank
Transmission: autotragic, stalled
Axle/Gears: not a one tire fire, thank god!

Classifieds Rating: (0)
Your thoughts on lower control arms.

To make a super LONG story short, I got a set of lower control arms with rod ends at each end and relocation brackets for dirt cheap.

http://www.spohn.net/shop/1982-1992-...-Rod-Ends.html

Now I heard from a reliable source that if I have these on my car, the rear end will slightly dog track after hitting a bump in the road. Is that true? I have an adjustable torque arm with the rod end and the panhard rod is a poly/rod end combo, and haven't got to these control arms yet cause I needed a guy that could weld.

Will my car's rear end shift slightly after hitting a bump? Do these control arms last a while because I heard the ends wear out quick? Are these things worth the $75 I paid for them (they are brand new, still in the box) and if not, what should I get instead?
all4u is offline vBGarage Page   Reply With Quote
Old 09-28-2009, 10:09 AM   #2
Supreme Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Southwest Florida
Posts: 4,367
Car: projects.......

Classifieds Rating: (0)
Send a message via AIM to Shagwell
Re: Your thoughts on lower control arms.

If you put the control arms in the wrong hole compared to your ride height it causes improper suspension geometry and can cause some bump/roll steer from the rear end. - Basically saying, don't use the bottom hole unless your ride height is very low.
__________________
Jp Shawgo - Close E'nuff Racing

1986 camaro - 10.5 outlaw/Outlaw 632
1989 GTA vert
www.sandeperformance.com
www.transmission-specialties.com

Last edited by Shagwell; 09-28-2009 at 03:44 PM.
Shagwell is offline vBGarage Page   Reply With Quote
Old 09-28-2009, 03:45 PM   #3
Supreme Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Southwest Florida
Posts: 4,367
Car: projects.......

Classifieds Rating: (0)
Send a message via AIM to Shagwell
Re: Your thoughts on lower control arms.

Just realized, you didn't mention relocation brackets, only the arms themselves. Changing control arms does not alter the geometry in any way, and thus does not create any issues that aren't already there.
__________________
Jp Shawgo - Close E'nuff Racing

1986 camaro - 10.5 outlaw/Outlaw 632
1989 GTA vert
www.sandeperformance.com
www.transmission-specialties.com
Shagwell is offline vBGarage Page   Reply With Quote
Old 09-28-2009, 04:17 PM   #4
Banned
 
Stephen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Bertram (outside Austin), TX
Posts: 12,214
Car: 87 GTA
Engine: L98
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: Dana M78 3.27 posi

Classifieds Rating: (12)
Re: Your thoughts on lower control arms.



Unless you get 2 different length arms, like severely mis-adjusted length LCAs.

My daily driver now has UMI Performance, On Car, double rod ended LCAs (much like what is in your link) & honestly? The rough ride isn't anywhere NEAR what I expected, despite sitting on 315/35 series tires!
Stephen is offline vBGarage Page   Reply With Quote
Old 09-28-2009, 08:41 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Elk Grove Village
Posts: 630
Car: Firechicken
Engine: 350 + 30 over, 400 crank
Transmission: autotragic, stalled
Axle/Gears: not a one tire fire, thank god!

Classifieds Rating: (0)
Re: Your thoughts on lower control arms.

Um, I did mention relocation brackets in the original post. It is in the first sentence. I guess that means that they won't make my car dog track and that they will last quite a while despite the fact that many people tell me that the rod ends wear out every six months. Is that correct?
all4u is offline vBGarage Page   Reply With Quote
Old 09-29-2009, 03:01 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SoCal "Riverside"
Posts: 549

Classifieds Rating: (0)
Re: Your thoughts on lower control arms.

i have had my rod/ panhard on for 2-3 years, it's still like new control arms with rod ends for 2 years, still nice and tight,
__________________

THE MODS
Suspension: 18X9.5" hyper black c6 wheels with 265/40/18, 275/40/18 michelin PS2, AGR 12.7 to 1 steering box .225 valve, J&M strut mounts KONI Yellow sport/ Ground Control Weight Jacks#1,000/200, double adjustable lower control arms+ UMI LCA relocation brackets, UMI Panhard relocation "chassis side" with single adjustable UMI panhard, JEGS Panhard relocation "axle side". UMI SFC's. UMI tunnel mounted torque arm, 36/ 23 mm swaybars, Iroc wonderbar, Edelbrock 3 pt STB, Moog front end steering componets, Spohn bumpsteer kit.
Intake: Ultimate T.B. + spacer, 14 X 3" open element 1.6 Comp Cams Roller rockers
Exhaust: 1 5/8" Edelbrock shorty headers through 3" Flowmaster, carsound 3" converter.
1988-305-tbi is offline vBGarage Page   Reply With Quote
Old 09-29-2009, 05:10 PM   #7
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Elk Grove Village
Posts: 630
Car: Firechicken
Engine: 350 + 30 over, 400 crank
Transmission: autotragic, stalled
Axle/Gears: not a one tire fire, thank god!

Classifieds Rating: (0)
Re: Your thoughts on lower control arms.

Did you ever experience any dog tracking at all? I was a bit worried about that but it doesn't seem to be an issue.
all4u is offline vBGarage Page   Reply With Quote
Old 09-29-2009, 08:27 PM   #8
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SoCal "Riverside"
Posts: 549

Classifieds Rating: (0)
Re: Your thoughts on lower control arms.

you can have problem with dog tracking, thats why you get adjustable control arms as long as the rear is centered/square you won't have any problems, after my install i had tracking problems, then i spent a few hours aligning the rear. Now even in bad rain i can roast the tires from 0-50mph and the car goes straight,
__________________

THE MODS
Suspension: 18X9.5" hyper black c6 wheels with 265/40/18, 275/40/18 michelin PS2, AGR 12.7 to 1 steering box .225 valve, J&M strut mounts KONI Yellow sport/ Ground Control Weight Jacks#1,000/200, double adjustable lower control arms+ UMI LCA relocation brackets, UMI Panhard relocation "chassis side" with single adjustable UMI panhard, JEGS Panhard relocation "axle side". UMI SFC's. UMI tunnel mounted torque arm, 36/ 23 mm swaybars, Iroc wonderbar, Edelbrock 3 pt STB, Moog front end steering componets, Spohn bumpsteer kit.
Intake: Ultimate T.B. + spacer, 14 X 3" open element 1.6 Comp Cams Roller rockers
Exhaust: 1 5/8" Edelbrock shorty headers through 3" Flowmaster, carsound 3" converter.
1988-305-tbi is offline vBGarage Page   Reply With Quote
Old 09-29-2009, 08:51 PM   #9
Banned
 
Stephen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Bertram (outside Austin), TX
Posts: 12,214
Car: 87 GTA
Engine: L98
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: Dana M78 3.27 posi

Classifieds Rating: (12)
Re: Your thoughts on lower control arms.

Quote:
Originally Posted by 1988-305-tbi View Post
you can have problem with dog tracking, thats why you get adjustable control arms as long as the rear is centered/square you won't have any problems, after my install i had tracking problems, then i spent a few hours aligning the rear. Now even in bad rain i can roast the tires from 0-50mph and the car goes straight,
All I did was use the stock LCAs to get the length of my adjustable ones to the same length as the stock bolts. By aligning them alongside each other & using the stock bolts & "pins". Once both bolts slid in & out FREELY, zero binding, I bolted them in & was done.

0-50mph must be common. My speedo read 60mph until I got traction, dropped to 50mph & went! So the 50mph was the true reading.
Stephen is offline vBGarage Page   Reply With Quote
Old 09-30-2009, 10:46 AM   #10
Supreme Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Southwest Florida
Posts: 4,367
Car: projects.......

Classifieds Rating: (0)
Send a message via AIM to Shagwell
Re: Your thoughts on lower control arms.

Quote:
Originally Posted by all4u View Post
Um, I did mention relocation brackets in the original post. It is in the first sentence. I guess that means that they won't make my car dog track and that they will last quite a while despite the fact that many people tell me that the rod ends wear out every six months. Is that correct?
selective reading/thinking yesterday I guess....



Dog tracking would only occur with miss-adjusted control arms. Roll steer would only occur with miss-adjusted(improper control arm angle) relocation brackets.

If adjusted properly, both will only help your suspension(handling and traction), not hurt.
Shagwell is offline vBGarage Page   Reply With Quote
Old 09-30-2009, 03:48 PM   #11
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Elk Grove Village
Posts: 630
Car: Firechicken
Engine: 350 + 30 over, 400 crank
Transmission: autotragic, stalled
Axle/Gears: not a one tire fire, thank god!

Classifieds Rating: (0)
Re: Your thoughts on lower control arms.

I chirp going from first to second, the car kicks a bit sideways, will these LCA's with brackets stop that? If not, what will? I have street tires on the car and didn't have so much torque before the cam and fuel pump. What do I do?
all4u is offline vBGarage Page   Reply With Quote
Old 09-30-2009, 04:03 PM   #12
Banned
 
Stephen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Bertram (outside Austin), TX
Posts: 12,214
Car: 87 GTA
Engine: L98
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: Dana M78 3.27 posi

Classifieds Rating: (12)
Re: Your thoughts on lower control arms.

Quote:
Originally Posted by all4u View Post
I chirp going from first to second, the car kicks a bit sideways, will these LCA's with brackets stop that? If not, what will? I have street tires on the car and didn't have so much torque before the cam and fuel pump. What do I do?
Do they hop or just spin?


If they start to spin & hop real bad, LCA Relocation brackets are the first step. Changing the geometry (angle) of the LCAs is the first step. That & better tires, better foot control.

On lowered cars, it only gets worse.
Stephen is offline vBGarage Page   Reply With Quote
Old 09-30-2009, 09:21 PM   #13
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Elk Grove Village
Posts: 630
Car: Firechicken
Engine: 350 + 30 over, 400 crank
Transmission: autotragic, stalled
Axle/Gears: not a one tire fire, thank god!

Classifieds Rating: (0)
Re: Your thoughts on lower control arms.

I think it is more of a spin but there is a slight jerking to it so I must be getting a tiny bit of wheel hop. I thought that between the torque arm, panhard rod, and subframe connectors, I was on the right track but I guess I got a ton more to do.

Is swaybars and lower control arms the last of the recommended suspension mods not including struts and springs?
all4u is offline vBGarage Page   Reply With Quote
Old 09-30-2009, 09:21 PM
ThirdGen
1992 Camaro




Paid Advertisement


Reply

Go Back   Third Generation F-Body Message Boards > Tech Boards > Suspension / Chassis

Tags
adjustable, arm, arms, bad, body, camaro, change, control, fbody, gen, height, length, lower, lowering, ride
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off

 


1982 Camaro '82 || 1983 Camaro '83 || 1984 Camaro '84 || 1985 Camaro '85 || 1986 Camaro '86 || 1987 Camaro '87 || 1988 Camaro '88 || 1989 Camaro '89 || 1990 Camaro '90 || 1991 Camaro '91 || 1992 Camaro '92


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:59 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.5
Copyright ©2000 - 2012, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Friendly URLs by vBSEO 3.5.2
All content copyright © 1997 - 2012 ThirdGen.org. All rights reserved. No part of this website may be reproduced without the expressed, documented, and written consent of ThirdGen.org's Administrators.

Emails & Contact Details