First: I did a search... Did not come up with anything that answered my questions.

I have recently realized that I will be needing new A-arm bushings for the IROC, and am wondering what I should consider for replacement.

Car Info: Eibach prokit springs, KYB agx front and rear, adjust. panhard, adj. control arms, adjustable tq arm. ALL NEW front steering components including ball joints.

I was wondering what the pro's/con's of Global West's Del-a-lum A-arm bushings would be. The car sees around 3,000 miles a year as a semi-daily driver. It will see a little SCCA action, but not a lot (Maybe 8 meets a year.) The ride is already rather harsh and the spohn double-adjustable panhard (Spherical ends on both ends.) makes a little noise. Future plans also include a set of SFC's(Weld in.) and a strut tower brace...

 

Considering the cost of the bushings and the fact they have to be installed, if you can get away with new FCA in your racing class, why not go new tubular ones?

 

I race in "Race prepared" They are pretty lax with the rules. My reason for not really wanting to go tubular is that my El camino uses tubular A-arms and I have bent 2 sets so far. (I live on a dirt road )

 

I went the Spohn Tubular A arm route... and after wasting $500 for them, $100 to install, $90 for an alignment, they set the wheels back and they rubbed when they turned sharp.... I bought a set of the Global west Del a lum bushings and had them installed in my stock a arms... so far so good, though I've only had them on for a couple of weeks and also not my daily driver...

Rafael

 

Road to the Baghdad airport?

 

LOL, It seems like it! It's not a county maintained road, so the last time it saw a Grader (Finish blade.) was around 1973...


luvofjah; How does it compare to the stock ride?

 

Well, "stock" was the 1991 GM bushings that came with the car... so they were a bit worn... It's smooth and quieter than the Spohn a arms with poly mounts... I'm happy..

Rafael

 

I just put a set in my car a few weeks ago, so far I haven't noticed much of a difference over the stock rubber ones, mostly just more road noise

 

I figured they have to transmit at least a little road noise... My panhard rod transmits plenty, so a little more wouldnt be too bad... Based on what you guys had to say, I've decided to go with the Del-a-lum bushings. Thanks for the replys!!!!

 

Oddly enough when I went from stock arms and pro-kit springs to Del-a-lums and stiffer springs my ride quality improved.

 

Not surprising at all. Well designed suspensions are NOT harsh at all. The delrin bushings allow the springs to do their job instead of the rubber or polyurethane adding to the suspension effect.

I run all delrin bushings with Koni yellows, heavy springs, and a 2in drop and the car rides great. Even better than stock.

The problem that most people have with "harsh" ride is they aren't using matching parts or are bouncing off the bump stops on every road imperfection.

 

I've had the del-a-lums for about 8 years now. There is a little more road noise but not that much. Overall I'm very happy with them.

 

My car rides pretty rough, but I attribute that mostly to the fact that my DD is an '05 trailblazer extended edition, with the Dynamic ride control (Rides better than it's sister vehicle, the cadillac SRX.) Everything is harsh compared to that. Looking forward to the new bushings.

 

I'll put in a plug for the swivel cup weight jacks, here. Cheap to purchase, but a lot of work (cut & weld). I'll add that the articulation of the swivel cup also aids in suspension effect. Also have Spohn's adj a-arm & bumpsteer, koni yellows, Racecraft 2" drop spindles, Ed's aluminum hubs, using 850# springs.
Tight & Firm, but not harsh

 

I have not riden in a car with the circle track weight jacks. Sounds good. I use the Ground Control weight jacks, also with 850lb springs and 175s in the rear.

 

Bringin this back....

Got a question about the Del a lum's. I just installed them into my car a long with rebuilding EVERYTHING. Pro kit, tokico illumina shocks, all new steering etc, etc.

My problem is that when turning at full lock or even a little less at slow speed, my front end "pushes". For instance, if I have the tires at full lock to the right, the front tires will push straight instead of turning, almost exactly like understeer. I wonder if it has to do with the bushings. Have any of you guys noticed this?

 

Sounds common enough on our cars.

JamesC

 

Mine did it ever so slightly before, but now its just crazy.

 

By the "pro kit", do you mean lowering springs?
Doesn't that change the angle unless you have drop spindles?

Rafael

 

Yes, drop springs. I have not heard of anyone else having this problem though, and there are a lot of lowered cars on here.

 

was the car aligned after all this work? if the front end is out of alignment, this problem will get worse.

 

Yep, it was done yesterday. It got slightly better after, and slightly better after topping off the tires.