Which rear LCA's?
TECH Addict
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 2,103
Likes: 21
^By that thought process (and I'm not agreeing or disagreeing with you because I simply don't know myself) that running poly/poly on a car with a Watts Link (like mine) will not experience the downfall of the poly's nature to bind under movement other than straight up and down?
I mention this because I can not run heim joints in ESP, and I'm contemplating replacing bushings as time goes on since they are still original with 70K mi.
I'm sure things still slightly move side to side in a Watts Link setup due to things flexing, but I would say DRASTICALLY less then a PHB setup. I would be curious to know the general amount of movement side to side of the axle during a typical autocross with a PHB setup.
See example 1: My car on a ~70sec course on concrete with 275/40/17 V710's.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgje6dnQGrA
I mention this because I can not run heim joints in ESP, and I'm contemplating replacing bushings as time goes on since they are still original with 70K mi.
I'm sure things still slightly move side to side in a Watts Link setup due to things flexing, but I would say DRASTICALLY less then a PHB setup. I would be curious to know the general amount of movement side to side of the axle during a typical autocross with a PHB setup.
See example 1: My car on a ~70sec course on concrete with 275/40/17 V710's.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgje6dnQGrA
You can still see the the rear end moving in arcs, so there is still the potential for binding. I'm not saying it would actually impact your times, but why run a set up that has a downfall like this? Are stock LCAs with 1LE bushings really holding you back that much?
I like the UMI Roto-Joints. It's quiet and rides well but allows articulation in all directions like a heim joint without the same levels of NVH.
And I would make sure they are adjustable. I wouldn't replace any stock component with something that couldn't be adjusted.
And I would make sure they are adjustable. I wouldn't replace any stock component with something that couldn't be adjusted.
TECH Addict
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 2,103
Likes: 21
You can still see the the rear end moving in arcs, so there is still the potential for binding. I'm not saying it would actually impact your times, but why run a set up that has a downfall like this? Are stock LCAs with 1LE bushings really holding you back that much?
Agreed, I really don't think my heim/heims will make me faster or slower. I needed an adjustable LCA for my 9" rear and it didn't make sense to downgrade to poly/poly so after much debate I went with the heims. I'm not advocating that there is a good reason to change LCAs unless you need the ability to slide the rear around.
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 392
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Sorry to resurrect an old thread. I finished my front suspension and replaced the shocks/springs in the rear as well. Sooner or later I plan on replacing the bushings in my rear LCAs. I am leaning towards getting aftermarket LCAs for the rear. I completely took apart my front end, replaced bushings and ball joints, knocked rust off, repainted, etc. I just don't have the energy to do the same for the rear. 
With that said, my goals are that my car will be mostly for street. I may take it to a drag strip for ***** and giggles or I may even try taking it to a track. I will favor handling more than straight line performance. I am also keeping in the back of my mind that I may need to get an aftermarket rear end. If I do, I have settled on the MWC Fab 9 as it is a bolt on replacement for the stock rear end (if I researched correctly). I am torn between getting the double adjustable rear LCAs from either MWC HEIM ends or UMI Roto-joints. Since it has been a year, how are the HEIM ends doing?
With that said, my goals are that my car will be mostly for street. I may take it to a drag strip for ***** and giggles or I may even try taking it to a track. I will favor handling more than straight line performance. I am also keeping in the back of my mind that I may need to get an aftermarket rear end. If I do, I have settled on the MWC Fab 9 as it is a bolt on replacement for the stock rear end (if I researched correctly). I am torn between getting the double adjustable rear LCAs from either MWC HEIM ends or UMI Roto-joints. Since it has been a year, how are the HEIM ends doing?
