differences in control arms

[dastang2]

what is the difference in the aftermarket non adjustable rear control arms and the stock control arms besides better bushings. are the reinforced for no flexing or is the only other difference the wieght.

 

[ECU5.0]

yeah, they are a lot stronger than the stock ones

 

[SlowGT]

If you had an aftermarket set next to a stock set, it'd be very apparent. The best I can do for an example is a newspaper.

Lay the paper out with only the front page showing. Fold it in half left to right. Now take the left to the right again to form a U, but don't crease it. Pick it up and swing it around. It should be folding and flexing under its own weight.

Now undo your folds take the same paper showing the front page and roll it left to right into about a 1-1/4" diameter tube. Now pick that up and swing it around. Should be much more rigid.

This is similar to how the stock stamped control arms handle the movement of the car VS how tubular aftermarket control arms handle it.

Hopefully somebody will chime in with a better example.

 

[blkstangman88]

 

[Bone Racing]

If you had an aftermarket set next to a stock set, it'd be very apparent. The best I can do for an example is a newspaper.

Lay the paper out with only the front page showing. Fold it in half left to right. Now take the left to the right again to form a U, but don't crease it. Pick it up and swing it around. It should be folding and flexing under its own weight.

Now undo your folds take the same paper showing the front page and roll it left to right into about a 1-1/4" diameter tube. Now pick that up and swing it around. Should be much more rigid.

This is similar to how the stock stamped control arms handle the movement of the car VS how tubular aftermarket control arms handle it.

Hopefully somebody will chime in with a better example.

i kinda like that description

 

[dastang2]

that pretty much explained it all but what if i reinforced the stock components with some sort of metal and strengthen them up a bit along with the better bushings. until i get the cash for some new ones. i have an extra set of stock control arms that i am going to do some mods too. it may be rigging but i think it would help by adding a little extra weight in the back and trying to keep the flexing to a minimum. has anybody used KYB set for 200. i think it was KYB that i saw in the mag. maybe steeda but it was all 4 control arms for 200 nonadjustable.

 

[maverick0716]

that pretty much explained it all but what if i reinforced the stock components with some sort of metal and strengthen them up a bit along with the better bushings. until i get the cash for some new ones. i have an extra set of stock control arms that i am going to do some mods too. it may be rigging but i think it would help by adding a little extra weight in the back and trying to keep the flexing to a minimum. has anybody used KYB set for 200. i think it was KYB that i saw in the mag. maybe steeda but it was all 4 control arms for 200 nonadjustable.

The extra weight will me so minimal it will be a non-factor........however you are on the right track with boxing the stock arms. If you don't want to buy aftermarket ones yet or whatever, yes, you can box the stock ones and they will be much better. (you can even get some polyurethane bushings for them)

 

[SlowGT]

I had a set from Factory Five Racing and they worked well. Non-adjustable with mounting brackets for the rear swaybar. They were only $200 when I got them, but that was several years ago.

If I were getting a set right now for a daily driver/street car, I'd buy THESE from JD's Performance. Free shipping too. They look exactly like the set I've got from FFR