Should control arm settings mirror side to side?

[dP3NGU1N]

Hello everyone,

I have SPL front control arms installed for a while now and haven't really had any issue. I had them installed when I swapped out my suspension and then had them aligned. However, I will be going to the track in a month or so and want to make sure my setting aren't all screwed up. Nothing serious, I'm not in competition, just going for fun so will be going at a relatively safe 7/10ths speed.

The question: Should the settings for both arms be the same or is manufacturing tolerance off by an amount that is visually noticeable?

If I look at the hybrid adjusters on the SPL arms I can notice that my passenger side is adjusted out pretty far while the driver side is in a more moderate position. Should I have my alignment redone?

Thanks for reading.



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[Rangerz]

Its difficult to see but, on your drivers side the threaded portion closest to the hiem joint looks like it is a little off too. I would say that when you installed them they may not have been run out the same length. You have to hold the hiem joint stationary as you adjust the length before installing. If you didn't have them both zeroed out the same or spun one side then held the joint that would do it.

Also when the castor was adjusted for alignment that could effect it if slightly different passenger to driver side. The alignment guys have to move both the front and rear adjusters around to get that then I think they recheck camber.

Just guessing though.

You have plenty of thread still in the arm so if your alignment is good I don't think your into any danger of failure.

[dP3NGU1N]

Thanks for the response. I haven't noticed anything strange in steering but small things get magnified at speed and I haven't taken the car far past 100mph since the suspension work.

Any adverse effects if the hiem joint is off to one side like you mention? Don't know much about how that joint works.

[Rangerz]

The only adverse item is having to much of the adjuster bilt screwed out and not enought meat for the clamp. Your look like you have plenty though. I have to change some break pads out this week I'll look at mine for comparison.

[kenchan]

umm... you shouldn't be concerned about the arm settings visually... go by alignment data.

like if you're corner balancing a car, it's not like each coilover is going to sit in the same position.

[dP3NGU1N]

Originally Posted by kenchan

umm... you shouldn't be concerned about the arm settings visually... go by alignment data.

like if you're corner balancing a car, it's not like each coilover is going to sit in the same position.

That... actually make a lot of a sense. Appreciate the reply, thanks!

[kenchan]

np, and GL with your project.

[1slow370]

a lot of times a big diference from side to side with the alignment correct can mean either the frame or mount points were tweaked at one time (pot hole, hard curb, accident) or sometimes it can mean something completely unrelated is off. most alignment machines will not read wheel position so it could be something along the lines of one of the lower control bushings has failed/shifted and by adjusting the upper arm to bring the camber/caster back to correct with the lower arm out of place, the wheel base on one side may have changed.

Edit: it could also be a manufacturing defect in the car. When I see something like that i check the other bushings at those corners and if they are fine and the alignment numbers are good there isn't much you can do about it.