Okay, I've been doing some searching on the boards and I think I've got the info I need. I need to replace the rear suspension components, LCA's, Panhard, shocks, springs, bushings etc. I will be getting the Eibach Pro-Kit and with that also LCA relocating brackets. My only question remains about whether or not to get adjustable LCA's and an adj. panhard. I've got drums in the back so I more than likely will be switching out the rear end either to 1LE discs and posi, or a fourth gen rear (haven't decided). This is my daily driver so there will be no race applications necessary, however, I've read that with some fourth gen rears, the adj. panhard/LCA'S are necessary to adjust the location of the tires in the wheel wells. Is this true or are there other uses?. What purpose would the adjustable components serve for me if I was to get a 1LE rear end? Thanks. - Efrain

 

well.... they give you the ability to adjust...

the 4thgen rear is 4" wider then stock... so you lose alot of the wheel lip clearance on each side of the car


if your car has the axle slightly to one side more then the other, enough that the 4thgen rear makes the tires rub, or if you are running wider wheels that have the same effect, you can just the adj panhard bar to fix it by re-centering the axle...


does that help answer your question?

 

The panhard rod I've definately decided to go adjustable with, however, I don't know what the advantage would be for adjustable trailing arms (aka LCA'S). There seems to be different opinions about whether or not they help adjust pinion angle, but I would get an adjustable torque arms for that. What else would be benificial about them for either a 1LE disc rear end or a 4th gen rear? Thanks, again. - Efrain

 

i don't really see a reason for it. i actulay broke 2 adjustable control arms, the threaded adjuster ripped out. right now i am having a set of non-adjustable chromoly arms build that have spherical bearings in them made. the only grip i have with the non-adjustables out there, is they are all poly or rubber bushings (execpt for global-west, but they are lots of $$$$) since i didn't like the options out there for arms, i am working with another member on the boards here to have a set made. i originaly toyed around with the idea of doing them in titatinium (just for the kewlness factor) but we descided to go chromoly.

anyway, unless your frame is screwed and you need the adjustment to get the rear to track correctly, i see no reason you need adjustables, unless you are getting spherical bearings, then the only option you have is adjustable.

 

Thanks Dewey, that's really helpful. I still cant decide whether I should go with Spohn's or the BMR's @ ThunderRacing. The BMR's are cheaper for the chrome molly and I can get the panhard rod from BMR much cheaper too, in a kit with BMR LCA relocaters and the Eibach prokit for a really good price. Anybody have any feed back for the BMR panhard/LCA'S, or should I just get the Spohn's?

 

i just a tube with a couple of bushings, i don't see how someone can really screw it up.

if you can get a package deal, save some money, and still get teh parts you want, go for it.

 

Ground Control sells bearings that will replace the stock rubber bushings in the stock arms.

 

I've read that spohn reloc. brackets are better cause they don't use washers like the BMR's, how does this change the installation? Also, the BMR bolt-in ones are about $40 more, but I've heard it's better to weld them in, is there a point to paying that extra $40? Sorry, for all the questions, but I'll be dropping a big chunk of change on this and on my college budget I wanna make sure I'm happy cause I can be very fickle. I'm gonna contact Steve Spohn to see if he'll price match anything to get my business, cause that kit on thunder is a pretty good bargain. Again, thanks to all who have helped. -Efrain

 

yeah, but you are still using the stock arm. and i am not going to pay $195 for a set of bearings.

 

Well Let me say this...adjustable control arms ....IF I DID not have adjustable control arms I would have had problems with my spohn relocation brackets....I had mine SET to stock legnth....When laying out the brackets I noticed while the top holes lined up the bottoms did not...I had to adjust both of them out about 5/8" to keep the goemetry the same...I dont know if the dimensions on the rear or the brackets or whatever was off But having the adjustability is the only way I was able to get my rear end dialed in properly...

As for breaking control arms that all depends on the brand you use...Ive seen pics everywhere of the BMR crap breaking because of the thin metal they use...

As far as BOLT on lca brackets go ...I would stay away from them...They Push heavily on the shock mount and would be asking for problems under high HP...Plus after seeing PIC after pic of BMR stuff BROKEN Id be leary of their product...

 

mine were spohn.

also , in measuring the spohn relocation brackets, we found that spohn brackets have the mountin holes drilled on a 9" radius. so they DO NOT line up perfectly. but you could still use them with no adjustables. the effect on the pinion angle would be negligable, the torque arm mounting angle would not really change, and that woudl keep your pinion angle basicly in check.

 

I dont know on control arms...I had mine made out of Tool Steel.and QA1 teflon rod ends...Ive had no problems..Mine are heavy...But are not going anywhere..

Interesting on the Relocation brackets...I figured because I had a for9" that it was off just due to the Tolerances on steves part and the tolerances on the moser parts... Like I said it was not a big deal...just something to look out for...

 

Just to be fair, Dewey's LCAs were built ~ 4 years ago? We've used the TIG welded 4130 chrome moly threaded tube adapters for about 3 years now on anything threaded, you'll never pull threads out of them. That's why I won't build the aluminum LCAs and Panhards that some people are building now, there's no way I'd trust the thread strength on an aluminum tube, billet or not. I only had two people pull threads on the mild steel tubes, zero on the 4130.

Steve

 

thats true , and i don't have any complaints with your products. in fact i will likely be buying a torque arm this fall from you.

the point i was making, is that the adjustment is one more thing that 'could' fail. i am in no way saying that it 'will' fail.

 

This is Efrain, I emailed you about the bundle price from thunderracing. I think it's fair that you won't discount your products and that's ok, I really want yours anyway. But what about the Pro-Kit, would you match that? They have the springs listed for $194.65 PN# 45-3801.140. Thanks again.

 

I wish I could, to be honest I pay more then that for them!

Steve