Switched from Poly to Spherical LCAs

[Napoleon85]

A little bit of background and my current setup:

I've been running the below setup for a while now, and it's worked very well except for one issue. I could not get the rear end to behave properly when under lateral loads (hard cornering).

• Koni Yellow/Sport Struts/Shocks
• FRPP/GT500 Strut Mounts
• Eibach Pro-Kit Springs
• BMR Tubular K-Member
• BMR A-arm Brace
• Eibach Adjustable (F&R) Swaybars
• UPR Pro Series Double Adjustable UCA & Mount
• UPR Billet LCAs
• UPR Pro Street Double Adjustable Panhard Bar
• BMR LCA Relocation Brackets

I knew it all along, but I finally came to terms with the fact that the only way to fix this was to eliminate some of the poly bushings that were binding up. Everyone told me not to do it, that rod ends only belong on race cars and they will be way too loud on the street. I'm here to tell you this is just not true!

I installed my UCA with no additional lubrication, and got a little bit of noise out of it, but you would only hear it with the windows up and the radio off ... so never. Here's a short video I made, babying the exhaust so that it wouldn't drown out the noise.



Going into the LCA install, I prepared for this amount of noise to triple, but I spoke with Sharad at UPR and he recommended using a dry lube with PTFE/Teflon in it as a lubricant. This will keep the rod ends lubricated, but will not attract dirt, debris, or moisture. I found this at Autozone for about $6:

http://www.liquidwrench.com/products/#!/5

I completely soaked all the rod ends in this stuff, and afterwards I have virtually zero noise from them. I purposely made them articulate with the windows up and the stereo off and could not hear a thing. I think I heard the slightest noise when getting out of the car, but I can't even be sure it was one of the control arms. I'll make a follow-up video soon and post it here.

Even better news was the dramatic difference when putting the car under high lateral loads. The binding and snap oversteer that I had learned to "drive around" were completely gone, and the entire suspension was articulating smoothly.

Bottom line - if you plan on pushing the car hard through corners and dont mind a bit more NVH and having to occasionally lubricate the rod ends, definitely choose them over all poly bushings. Here are links to the exact arms I'm running now if anyone is interested.

UCA/Mount
http://www.uprproducts.com/mustang-...ouble-adjustable-upper-3rd-link-mount-11.html

LCAs
http://www.uprproducts.com/mustang-chrome-moly-double-adjustable-lower-control-arms-street-05.html

 

[19COBRA93]

I have been running FRPP's rather expensive rod-end LCA's for about a year and a half. I finally had enough of the noise and swapped to arms with poly bushings. The noise is only pronounced under certain driving types, but it was enough to drive me crazy. And I'm a fairly tolerant guy.

They're an easy enough swap that I'll swap on my rod end arms when I take it to the track. But I'm done with them on the street. Hopefully you have better results.

 

[Napoleon85]

I have been running FRPP's rather expensive rod-end LCA's for about a year and a half. I finally had enough of the noise and swapped to arms with poly bushings. The noise is only pronounced under certain driving types, but it was enough to drive me crazy. And I'm a fairly tolerant guy.

They're an easy enough swap that I'll swap on my rod end arms when I take it to the track. But I'm done with them on the street. Hopefully you have better results.

Even before I lubed it, the UPR UCA didn't make much noise. It was very tolerable, and I really never heard it over the exhaust/radio/windows being down. I'm also running the ones with one poly end and kept the rubber bushing on top of the diff housing. This helps keep the NVH down and is a sufficient setup for a car that's not a dedicated race car.

 

[Random Asshole]

A personally friend also installed Ford Racings LCAs with rod ends and it sounds like the car is falling apart just putting around the parking lot. Maybe you can get away with it on your UCA, but I'm nowhere near "sold" on rod ends/spherical bushings for my street car.

 

[JesseW.]

wait a month or two... mine were quiet all of a month, then one started creaking when I would pull off from a stop, then rattling on decel. I replaced it with a better end, but i'm sure it will come back.

 

[19COBRA93]

wait a month or two... mine were quiet all of a month, then one started creaking when I would pull off from a stop, then rattling on decel. I replaced it with a better end, but i'm sure it will come back.

That's how mine were too. They were mostly quiet for a month or two, then progressively got worse and worse.

 

[Tron]

mine only make noise when going over quick little bumps (worn in tire grooves near stop lights) and then it sounds like the rear end is going to come out. i dont really care too much but it can be embarrassing with passengers lol.

 

[Napoleon85]

wait a month or two... mine were quiet all of a month, then one started creaking when I would pull off from a stop, then rattling on decel. I replaced it with a better end, but i'm sure it will come back.

That's how mine were too. They were mostly quiet for a month or two, then progressively got worse and worse.

mine only make noise when going over quick little bumps (worn in tire grooves near stop lights) and then it sounds like the rear end is going to come out. i dont really care too much but it can be embarrassing with passengers lol.

Did you guys put any lubrication on them? After using the dry lube mine are really quiet. If I have to spray them every few months to keep them quiet, I'm OK with that.

 

[Chris borzi]

Great tip thanks!

 

[19COBRA93]

Did you guys put any lubrication on them? After using the dry lube mine are really quiet. If I have to spray them every few months to keep them quiet, I'm OK with that.

I tried all kinds of things. Nothing really helped. They really only make noise when I'm rolling through a parking lot, or through my neighborhood. But it's enough to make my car sound like a piece of shit. And nobody wants that.

 

[JesseW.]

the PTFE liners in them eventually deform, its what all plastics eventually do. its not a wear or lube problem, they just deform over time. .02" deformation isn't gonna be a safety issue, but it is going to be really annoying. with one end of the arm off, I could shake and push and hear the end rattle, but I couldn't see it. when I took it off the car I just could feel it. a new end made it a lot quieter though.

 

[Sharad]

A little bit of background and my current setup:

I've been running the below setup for a while now, and it's worked very well except for one issue. I could not get the rear end to behave properly when under lateral loads (hard cornering).

• Koni Yellow/Sport Struts/Shocks
• FRPP/GT500 Strut Mounts
• Eibach Pro-Kit Springs
• BMR Tubular K-Member
• BMR A-arm Brace
• Eibach Adjustable (F&R) Swaybars
• UPR Pro Series Double Adjustable UCA & Mount
• UPR Billet LCAs
• UPR Pro Street Double Adjustable Panhard Bar
• BMR LCA Relocation Brackets

I knew it all along, but I finally came to terms with the fact that the only way to fix this was to eliminate some of the poly bushings that were binding up. Everyone told me not to do it, that rod ends only belong on race cars and they will be way too loud on the street. I'm here to tell you this is just not true!

I installed my UCA with no additional lubrication, and got a little bit of noise out of it, but you would only hear it with the windows up and the radio off ... so never. Here's a short video I made, babying the exhaust so that it wouldn't drown out the noise.



Going into the LCA install, I prepared for this amount of noise to triple, but I spoke with Sharad at UPR and he recommended using a dry lube with PTFE/Teflon in it as a lubricant. This will keep the rod ends lubricated, but will not attract dirt, debris, or moisture. I found this at Autozone for about $6:

http://www.liquidwrench.com/products/#!/5

I completely soaked all the rod ends in this stuff, and afterwards I have virtually zero noise from them. I purposely made them articulate with the windows up and the stereo off and could not hear a thing. I think I heard the slightest noise when getting out of the car, but I can't even be sure it was one of the control arms. I'll make a follow-up video soon and post it here.

Even better news was the dramatic difference when putting the car under high lateral loads. The binding and snap oversteer that I had learned to "drive around" were completely gone, and the entire suspension was articulating smoothly.

Bottom line - if you plan on pushing the car hard through corners and dont mind a bit more NVH and having to occasionally lubricate the rod ends, definitely choose them over all poly bushings. Here are links to the exact arms I'm running now if anyone is interested.

UCA/Mount
http://www.uprproducts.com/mustang-...ouble-adjustable-upper-3rd-link-mount-11.html

LCAs
http://www.uprproducts.com/mustang-chrome-moly-double-adjustable-lower-control-arms-street-05.html

Thanks for the feedback! I can't wait to try them on my car!

 

[Diabolical!]

I run UPR's rod end LCA's, UCA and even the rod-end bushing that goes over the axle housing. I have to say, the NVH increase for me is noticable, but the way the suspension hooks up for me at the drag strip is just insane. I can deal with a little NVH if the product works, and the rod-ends WORK. If my car was a daily I might be a bit more concerned with the noise, but for a dedicated drag car, I couldn't be happier. My 60' times dropped like a rock after switching to UPR. (I used to run a polyurethane LCA from another aftermarket company, but after puking a polyurethane bushing onto the drag strip, I had to make the switch.)

 

[908ssp]

There is a usable half way step. J&M makes a poly ball surrounded by soft rubber the poly ball can rotate and still keep the noise down. The soft rubber keeps the ball in the center of the arm and keeps the poly ball sealed from dirt. The rubber is soft enough not to add much load to the twisting movement. J&M makes an even more aggressive option as well. I use the first one and I think they have worked great for 4000 miles.

 

[sheizasosay]

I would go straight for the j&m street extreme joint. There was zero noticeable NVH difference going from J&M polyball to the street extreme joint.

 

[DRock]

I have had BMR poly/rod end LCAs on my car for over 40k and would do it again anytime. It's a great compromise and hooks up solid. Noise is minimal at best.

 

[Sky Render]

Did you guys put any lubrication on them? After using the dry lube mine are really quiet. If I have to spray them every few months to keep them quiet, I'm OK with that.

Have fun lubricating those things every other week or so. That lubricant will not last, and the rod ends will start making noise again.

 

[Napoleon85]

Have fun lubricating those things every other week or so. That lubricant will not last, and the rod ends will start making noise again.

I only drive the car 1-2 times a week on average, so I'm not really worried about it. I'm also not worried about it being silent, I'll only be lubricating them when they start to make significant noise.

 

[Sharad]

I run UPR's rod end LCA's, UCA and even the rod-end bushing that goes over the axle housing. I have to say, the NVH increase for me is noticable, but the way the suspension hooks up for me at the drag strip is just insane. I can deal with a little NVH if the product works, and the rod-ends WORK. If my car was a daily I might be a bit more concerned with the noise, but for a dedicated drag car, I couldn't be happier. My 60' times dropped like a rock after switching to UPR. (I used to run a polyurethane LCA from another aftermarket company, but after puking a polyurethane bushing onto the drag strip, I had to make the switch.)

^^That's what I'm talkin' about!

 

[69cutlassrkt]

I'm running lcas on my cutlass with poly on one side and a rod end on the other. Took a few years for them to start making noise. I have dumps and can hear them squeak. Why not go with some lcas with derling bushings? They call em delsphere pivot joints or rotojoints. Pretty much a spherical with derlin bushings. In the protouring world we already have found out that poly bushings were bad years ago when we would replace our old worn out rubber bushing and get a lot of squeaking and binding especially in the cold. Poly isn't that bad, but derlin is the cat's pajamas now.