LCA/Relo Bracket Install...Gone Wrong?

[DetTigers]

So I spent a few hours (ok maybe more) installing the BMR LCA's and relocation brackets on my car last night. Install went good until I took it for a test drive and the alignment seems off. The steering wheel is off center when going straight.

I used the middle hole on the brackets and the arm angles up slightly toward the front. My car is lowered with Eibach Pro-Kit springs. I was thinking of taking it in to get it aligned in the morning but after searching it doesn't seem anyone else has had this problem after installing LCA's/Brackets. What went wrong?

On SVTPerformance I read this thread- http://www.svtperformance.com/forum...6527-attn-all-relocation-bracket-users-6.html

All that I learned is to move the bracket on the pass toward the rear and re-torque and it MAY help.

 

[stang1971]

i did mine in less then 30 min and i too have eibach pro springs... no issues at all.. simple straight forward install. Maybe post pics of what you think is the issue.

 

[lethe]

You installed rear control arms and brackets and your steering wheel is now off? Those shouldn't have any effect on your steering.

 

[char259]

Yeah, that is strange,

 

[Shat9611]

Are they adjustable LCA's??? Maybe one is shorter than the other so it shimmied the rear outta place?

 

[DetTigers]

http://www.svtperformance.com/forums/showthread.php?t=926527

It seems a few others have had this problem. I think I'll remove the brackets and see if that corrects the problem. In that thread BMR recommends moving the passenger mount all the way to the rear and re-tightening. It seems that some factory mounts are off and the relo brackets exaggerate the problem. By measuring between the rear wheels and fender it seems my axel is slightly off center after this install.

 

[skwerl]

Your brackets are not even, which means one of them probably isn't completely seated correctly.

I had one of mine pull loose slightly after a particularly hard launch at the track. I found the upper bolt on the right bracket was slightly loose. I loosened all the bolts then retightened everything and it was fine. After confirming my rear axle was perfectly straight with an alignment I had them welded in place.

 

[DetTigers]

Did you guys use these when attaching the brackets or the nuts that came with them?

 

[fdjizm]

You can use either, i used the ones that came with the brackets.

 

[DetTigers]

I re-tightened everything to 130ft/lb and I'm still having the same problem. I'm gonna bring it to the dealership and see if they can get it straightened out.

 

[DetTigers]

Just to follow up- the dealership was able to get both arms on straight and the vehicle aligned. Drives perfect now. Looking at the alignment sheet it shows the thrust angle and toe were off.

 

[racksteris]

Your not alone on this . Just so you know.


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[BMR Tech]

Your not alone on this . Just so you know.


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His issue was resolved, just like most other's who have had this happen. There is a little tolerance in the mounting system, it just needs some attention if the rear geometry is affected negatively after installation.

I haven't had a single customer that was unable to get their rear alignment within factory spec, with our Relocation Brackets; after putting in the appropriate effort to ensure they are properly positioned.

Aftermarket parts can sometimes prove to be a little more complicated than just bolt-in and go. In this case, the Relocation Brackets generally prove to be worth their weight in gold after they are installed and aligned properly. I compare it to installing a supercharger; you have to make multiple changes, including the tune, to take full of advantage of it, and get the car running properly.

 

[racksteris]

Just to follow up- the dealership was able to get both arms on straight and the vehicle aligned. Drives perfect now. Looking at the alignment sheet it shows the thrust angle and toe were off.

Dude please explain how they adjusted your thrust angle when there is no adjustment for it with out adjustable lower control arms.

Your car is dog tracking but not much. You just don't know


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[DetTigers]

As Kelly stated there is some play in the passenger side bracket. I'm assuming when they re-installed the brackets they were able to get them even which straightened out the axel, correcting the thrust angle. I attached the alignment sheet if that helps. If my car was dog tracking wouldn't it be prevalent in the alignment specs?

 

[BMR Tech]

Dude please explain how they adjusted your thrust angle when there is no adjustment for it with out adjustable lower control arms.

Your car is dog tracking but not much. You just don't know

As he stated, there is a little bit of play within the mounting system on the passenger side bracket. The bracket needs to be installed and torqued in the rear-most position. Sometimes, it takes a little effort, but is doable (I have done it 50+ times)

The play within that mounting is not by accident. These cars are all different, and coming up with a design that works for every single customer is next to impossible. There is not a single design on the market that is perfect, on each and every car that they are installed on.

The OP simply proved the point I am trying to get across. His original install gave him a thrust angle that was slightly out of spec, the Ford Dealership simply loosened the brackets, maneuvered them, re-tightened, and now it is well within spec.

 

[LOUDCOYOTE]

I made my own lca relo brackets, lowered my lca bolt hole 3 inches and its absolutely perfect. I think it would equal to bmrs second to last hole. My gaps from tire to fender on both sides are within an 1/8th of an inch and my car runs straight.