So I have my suspension planned out and I'm in the process of getting the money together to get the parts. Last week I picked up most of the parts I still needed from UMI on their sale, but I couldn't make up my mind on what LCA's to go with.

My first plan was to go with the double adj. with roto-joints at each end. I just installed my PHB which has roto-joints at each end and it's actually quieter than my stock rubber one. I know that the LCAs are more responsible for noise than the PHB though. So I began to question my choice of LCAs. So I looked at the ones with a poly bushing at one end and a roto-joint at the other. I figured that since the vehicle is mostly driven on the street that it would be better to go with the quieter poly bushing at one end of the LCA.

So I'm wondering what people think, should I go with the double roto-joint end lcas or go with the poly/roto lcas?

 

I thought that some tubular LCAs would be stronger, therefore improve handling. I was concerned about noise, but most importantly transmission of shock from road impacts, being transmitted to the chassis of the car. Therefore, when I was still working, and had access to a machine shop, I fabbed up a couple of sets of HD steel tubing LCAs. In itself, no big deal, however I made them so the stock rubber bushings could be used....stronger LCA, no road noise or harshness, and the ability for the bushing to flex a little, as the car rode over bumps, and the panhard bar moved the axle side to side.

Fast forward a couple of years, I've since retired, and now work part-time for a local auto parts store, delivering parts to shops and dealerships. We have a GoodYear store next door, which has a Hunter "hawk-eye" 4 wheel alignment rack. I installed new tie rods ends on the car two winters ago, while the car was off the road. Naturally, when the snow melted, I needed to align the car before I could start driving it.

I went next door, to the tire shop, On a Sunday morning, and we put the car on the rack. The "tech" set everything up, and said to me, "When you've got everything set where you want it, and tightened up, just holler, and I'll take the sensors off, and you'll be good to go". I proceeded to mess with the car for about an hour, until I got everything "dead nuts". Only one issue, the "thrust angle" was off a little, as the rear axle isn't 100% square in the car. It's not off by much, but it bothered me....

A few months later, just for grins, I bought a pair of double adjustable LCAs, with the "Johnny-Joint" ends. I put the car back on the alignment rack, got the thrust angle dead on, and have now been driving the car for a few months with this set-up.

Bottom line, the slight bit of change to the thrust angle didn't make a big change in the way the car drives. The LCAs, however, DO transmit more "impact shock" to the car, as they just don't have any compliance. Is that good for the car? I doubt it. Was it a good move overall? I'm not all that sure.......

 

Hello
Thanks for considering UMI Performance for your suspension needs. If you are looking for a noise free application. Then you are on the right track with going with the poly bushing on the chassis side and going with the roto joint on the rear end side. And we do actually offer you a on car adjustable poly bushing a roto joint on the rear end side. Having the poly on the chassis side with absorb a lot of the shock and noise that the roto doesn't. It will be a really good LCA for you maintaining a good ride quality and I am sure you will not be disappointed in the performance either. Below is a link to show you what I am explaining.

http://www.umiperformance.com/catalo...r8j40djv2me1k0

If you have any other questions feel free to ask and I will be more than glad to help.
Thanks
Brad

 

I just installed the non adj UMI poly/roto-joint LCA's and love em and I recommend picking up there grease and the spanner wrench if you're gonna have that many roto-joint ends.

 

Hello
Thanks for choosing and suggesting UMI Performance. We really appreciate the business.
Take it Easy
Brad

 

Well thanks for the advice. I think I will go with the single poly end then. I have noticed that while the roto-joints on my PHB don't transmit a lot of road noise they do transmit impact pretty strongly, which for a PHB is fine, just for LCA's that might get annoying. I hope that problem can be solved by the poly end.

 

How did you find the poly ended Roto joint LCAs? in the impact and noise department?

 

Sadly I have had them sitting around for the last year because I've been to busy to install them. Should have them in in a few weeks here so I'll let you know then.

 

This is why I ordered UMI LCAs and then custom ordered some new SOLID rubber bushings (not the fluted ones like stock) kind of like the 1LE style bushings.

Solid rubber for better handling, yet zero road noise and soft ride, yet firm. (This is with fully Strano/Koni/UMI/Subframe car.

I was honest with myself and I know I drive 99 percent on the streets.

 

So I got the LCAs in the car now. No notable increase in noise over stock. Actually decreased some of the noise when shifting and accelerating. Only increase in noise is going over bumps and over rough pavement. Loving the way the car steers and hooks up. Much less wheel hop. Been driving around in the rain all week having way too much fun.

 

Hey mrx.

Thanks for the update on how your LCA's are working. Glad to hear you like your UMI parts!

Let us know if you need any help.

ramey

 

Yeah I was putting them in at my buddy's shop and people kept coming in and out asking about the LCAs. Mostly guys with old A and G bodies but I told them where to go to get them. I know you guys make a whole mess of stuff for those cars too

 

Hey mrx. Thanks for the UMI shout-out to your buddies!

ramey