Those who have experience with both poly and rod ends
#21
I like a firm ride, but more like BMW firm... not Marine Corps Amtrak firm. I think I'll like the locker life, but I'd like to avoid having my car ride like a 3/4 ton strait axle 4x4 truck (which ironically would be more likely to have a dana 60 and a detroit locker ).
I'd also like to be able to drive over paint strips in the street without it sounding like I've got a ladder rack full of aluminum extension ladders driving up a dry creekbed at 45 miles per hour.
In other words, I think I can live with the locker, but I think all rod-ends would be a bit extreme. But, having not ever been around an Fbody with all rod-ended suspension I can't say for sure. I think I'll buy one piece at a time and take baby steps.
I'd also like to be able to drive over paint strips in the street without it sounding like I've got a ladder rack full of aluminum extension ladders driving up a dry creekbed at 45 miles per hour.
In other words, I think I can live with the locker, but I think all rod-ends would be a bit extreme. But, having not ever been around an Fbody with all rod-ended suspension I can't say for sure. I think I'll buy one piece at a time and take baby steps.
#22
Kleeborp the Moderator™
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Good idea...FWIW, I've tried about every combination of LCAs and panhard rods there are. Rod/rod, poly/rod, rubber/rubber, poly/poly, and soon to be poly/roto joint. I'm currently running rubber/rubber LCAs (BMR), and they are pretty nice, but I want a little more firm feel to the axle while maintaining articulation, but noise won't work for me. I'm willing to give the poly/roto joint combo a try just for giggles, hoping it will stay quiet for a long time.
Every single rod-ended component I've had has eventually made noise that I didn't like, but poly/poly was NOT the answer for either the panhard rod or the LCAs. Thankfully, there are more options out there now than ever.
Every single rod-ended component I've had has eventually made noise that I didn't like, but poly/poly was NOT the answer for either the panhard rod or the LCAs. Thankfully, there are more options out there now than ever.
#23
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i never saw he was getting a locker. in that case, like meent said, it really doesnt matter what ends you get. a locker is not for handling, its for drag racing. he'll find that out the hard way if you ever do an autox or track day.
#24
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I had all poly and I currently have all rod ends. Can't say I notice a big difference. there is a difference, but it's not substantial... from my perspective. Rod end choice seems to make a significant difference though. Some rod ends stay quieter than others for longer periods of time. I have some "old" QA1s, supposedly the new ones aren't what they used to be. I believe a lot of guys are switching to aurora.
#25
Either way, I think I'm gonna give the new stuff from UMI a chance to get some real-world feedback.
How many of you guys just said "F#*k it" and just think the noise (even in a DD) is just a compromise for good track characteristics?
How many of you would say that all rod-ended components, while harsh, are predictable and thus worth the extra noise?
#26
Kleeborp the Moderator™
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That reason alone is why I'm willing to give the UMI roto-joints a whirl to see if there is some middle ground that wasn't previously available.
A good quality rod end won't make noise right away, but those rod ends are expensive, and their tolerances determine how long they will stay that way. QA1 rod ends used to be the gold standard, then something changed with their manufacturing, and the tolerances weren't as tightly controlled anymore, so it became a crapshoot with them. That's why you see people leaning more towards Aurora and FK rod ends.
#27
Well, things for my car will be different than I had originaly planned: I was just informed that my S60 was being built with a Truetrac instead of a locker. Something got mixed up and my order was delayed so they could get another problem taken care of and when I found out about it I was informed that it was also built with a truetrac. I said "Perfect! Best mixup ever." I'll be getting a refund for the difference the locker cost me and it should hopefully ship out tomorrow. Just as I was starting to sweat the locker I find out that its not going to have one anyway. Looks like I'll be able to still enjoy my car in the rain and mabye make an autox car out of it too. I originally thought that truetracs are worthless, but I think the 35 spline dana 60 application is an exception to the normal perfomance people have with them.
I talked to Eric at Mid West Chassis and I think I will source him when I am ready to get more suspension components. He mentioned that he uses the teflon lined rod ends and has good performance and life from them. Great guy to deal with. He really took care of me as far as getting my rear end order expedited and making sure that I was aware of everything.
I talked to Eric at Mid West Chassis and I think I will source him when I am ready to get more suspension components. He mentioned that he uses the teflon lined rod ends and has good performance and life from them. Great guy to deal with. He really took care of me as far as getting my rear end order expedited and making sure that I was aware of everything.
#28
Kleeborp the Moderator™
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I talked to Eric at Mid West Chassis and I think I will source him when I am ready to get more suspension components. He mentioned that he uses the teflon lined rod ends and has good performance and life from them. Great guy to deal with. He really took care of me as far as getting my rear end order expedited and making sure that I was aware of everything.
Also, do yourself a favor and check the gear pattern before you install your S60. I'm not sure if they ship those filled with oil or not (my Strange 12-bolt was shipped filled with oil and ready to go). I didn't, and my gears were loud as ****. Here's why:
I'm guessing the guy that set mine up was the same guy that filled the tag out that was attached to the housing when I opened the box, and he just so happend to mis-spell my first name (he spelled Steve "Steev"). I was impatient, and went ahead and broke the gears in, so when it comes time to have the gears reset on the spring, I'll need to buy a new ring and pinion. I hoped the setup would be dead nuts on, and it wasn't.
#31
Okay, I've installed my double-rod-ended PHB and I have to say that I can't even notice it's there... that's not exactly right... I can't hear it, but I can definitely feel the difference it made.
My synopsis: Street car + double rod-ended panhard bar = ... not
If anything I hear less noise now when I hit bumps in the road that are big enougn to toss the rear end around... like the right hand lane on I59.
My synopsis: Street car + double rod-ended panhard bar = ... not
If anything I hear less noise now when I hit bumps in the road that are big enougn to toss the rear end around... like the right hand lane on I59.
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Agreed, the rod-ends do make more "noise." My comparison however is going from stock to adj torque arm, adj phb, and adj lca's, all of which have rod ends and are from Midwest Chassis. I have no complaints and couldn't be happier w/ the products.
#33
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Reading this thread makes me think I should have bought the rod ended PHB. I got the poly/poly. Either way, the car felt more stable in the rear.
I guess im going with the poly/roto combo with my LCAs. Seems like the best compromise for a DD.
Good luck with the S60 swap.
I guess im going with the poly/roto combo with my LCAs. Seems like the best compromise for a DD.
Good luck with the S60 swap.
#34
Ah the S60 is done! She's a monster... or a beast, rather, becase the clutch is a monster Seriously though, it's quiet, it opperates smoothly, and I swear it's quicker than my 10bolt with the same gear ratio. Still no track times
I think I want to get some SFCs and some drag radials on another set of rims first.
I think I want to get some SFCs and some drag radials on another set of rims first.
#35
Sorry but can someone post a pic of a poly and rod end LCA? The new roto joint from UMI is catching my attention but I'm real curious as to how it would compare with the rest of them as far as noise and harshness goes? The noise doesn't bother me as much as the harshness part does.
Anyone care to enlighten me? Thanks.
Anyone care to enlighten me? Thanks.
#36
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I had double adj rod ended lcas and phb. Im switching to single adj poly/roto for both. The dual rod ends were ok for a while, but even though I made sure the bolts were tight it just sounded like the rear was falling out. Hopefully the switch will have a little better road manners.
#37
Sorry but can someone post a pic of a poly and rod end LCA? The new roto joint from UMI is catching my attention but I'm real curious as to how it would compare with the rest of them as far as noise and harshness goes? The noise doesn't bother me as much as the harshness part does.
Anyone care to enlighten me? Thanks.
Anyone care to enlighten me? Thanks.
Thanks for considering UMI Performance! Our single adjustable LCA is the best bang for the $ when it comes to a Street and Strip Combo. By still giving you a poly bushing on the chassis side (therefore giving you a good ride) and still maintaining the rod end on the rear side (eliminating any binding issues that may occur). Below is a link to show you what I am explaining.
http://www.umiperformance.com/catalo...i04ucq3mrrj381
If you have any other questions feel free to ask and I will be more than glad to help.
Thanks
Brad
#38
Hello
Thanks for considering UMI Performance! Our single adjustable LCA is the best bang for the $ when it comes to a Street and Strip Combo. By still giving you a poly bushing on the chassis side (therefore giving you a good ride) and still maintaining the rod end on the rear side (eliminating any binding issues that may occur). Below is a link to show you what I am explaining.
http://www.umiperformance.com/catalo...i04ucq3mrrj381
If you have any other questions feel free to ask and I will be more than glad to help.
Thanks
Brad
Thanks for considering UMI Performance! Our single adjustable LCA is the best bang for the $ when it comes to a Street and Strip Combo. By still giving you a poly bushing on the chassis side (therefore giving you a good ride) and still maintaining the rod end on the rear side (eliminating any binding issues that may occur). Below is a link to show you what I am explaining.
http://www.umiperformance.com/catalo...i04ucq3mrrj381
If you have any other questions feel free to ask and I will be more than glad to help.
Thanks
Brad