j260z Posted August 13, 2003 Share Posted August 13, 2003 just got my coilovers and am trying to get the rest of the parts needed to finish up. i need to order new strut mount insulators and bearings, which i can still do through nissan, but i can't find the spacers for my rear struts, which are nla through nissan. i know i can order them through VB but i was wondering if anyone knew what they were made of? my other questions are: 1: i've seen the caster/camber kits from ground control and was wondering whether they would be much noisier and harsher than the stock insulator? 2: i'm planning on getting adjustable lower arms all around and was also wondering if it would be overkill to get the ground control units also? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j260z Posted August 14, 2003 Author Share Posted August 14, 2003 bump Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMortensen Posted August 14, 2003 Share Posted August 14, 2003 There is a limit to how far you can adjust camber with an adjustable control arm. The rule of thumb that I was told by one of the engineers at Maximum Motorsports (yes, the Mustang guys) was that you don't want to have the rod ends threaded more than 1.5 times the diameter of the shaft. So if you have a 1/2" rod end you don't want it threaded more than 3/4" out of the control arm. That 3/4" length includes the threads in the jam nut if I remember properly. If you think you'll need more camber adjustment, then get camber plates in addition. I did it backwards, had the plates, didn't have enough adjustment, got adjustable control arms. Yes, all of this stuff is loud, but people are usually surprised at how smoothly my car goes down the road. Its not so much the ride, but the noise that is a problem. But I don't have a stereo in my Z either Jon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
260DET Posted August 15, 2003 Share Posted August 15, 2003 On the stock insulators, I can see no gain in replacing them with something else unless you you want a full race suspension or the space they take up is a problem. Consider the degree of compliance they offer which helps protect the body from vibration and jarring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted August 15, 2003 Share Posted August 15, 2003 I've asked this before without a reply, but what about those new upper mounts that are adjustable for camber, sold by MSA - see the new catalog. Do these replace the upper mount? Owen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
260DET Posted August 16, 2003 Share Posted August 16, 2003 There is a limit to how far you can adjust camber with an adjustable control arm. The rule of thumb that I was told by one of the engineers at Maximum Motorsports (yes' date=' the Mustang guys) was that you don't want to have the rod ends threaded more than 1.5 times the diameter of the shaft. So if you have a 1/2" rod end you don't want it threaded more than 3/4" out of the control arm. That 3/4" length includes the threads in the jam nut if I remember properly. ...................... Yes, all of this stuff is loud, but people are usually surprised at how smoothly my car goes down the road. Its not so much the ride, but the noise that is a problem. But I don't have a stereo in my Z either Jon[/quote'] The alternative to using stock tie rod ends, which gets over their lack of length, is to make up custom items using male PTFE lined rod ends and some internally threaded tube. Then you don't have to use camber plates and so can retain the stock insulators. Retaining the stock insulaters also allows you to use road springs of up to around 300 for better handling and still with reasonable comfort and noise levels on the road. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMortensen Posted August 16, 2003 Share Posted August 16, 2003 260DET Am I missing something??? I'm confused. I've never heard of using a tie rod... how the heck do you use a tie rod as the pivot for the control arm? I don't think its possible, and I don't think I'd want to. It looks like you are responding to what I said. I said use a rod end. Just like what you are talking about. I was saying though, that you don't want 2" of thread hanging out of the control arm on your 1/2" rod end, even if the threaded portion is 3" long. You are still relying on the threaded portion of the shaft to take a lot of stress, and the more you have exposed, the weaker it is. The rule of thumb is 1.5 times the diameter of the shaft is the max you want outside of the control arm. At least that's the advice I got from an engineer who works for a suspension fabricator. Jon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
260DET Posted August 16, 2003 Share Posted August 16, 2003 Sorry Jon, I thought you were talking about running out of thread for the stock tie rod ends. Which can happen when, by whatever means, the suspension arm outer pivot point (ball joint) is moved out a lot to gain more negative camber. Clear as mud now? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMortensen Posted August 16, 2003 Share Posted August 16, 2003 Got it. You had me confused for sure. Jon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.