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LCA question: spherical, poly or rubber?

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Old Nov 9, 2014 | 02:32 PM
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Default LCA question: spherical, poly or rubber?

Years ago when I bought my first set in 1999, most everyone were running poly bushings. Whats the consensus now? Spherical and rubber or spherical and poly? And what ends for each?

I'm reading spherical on the rear and poly on the front. Is this correct?

I want the best setup for straight line. My mods are in my sig. Thanks in advance

I should probably mention I'll be running 275/40/17 nitto NT555r's and stock 2.73 for now until I swap to my 3.73's.

Last edited by JDMC5; Nov 9, 2014 at 03:02 PM.
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Old Nov 9, 2014 | 03:09 PM
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I'm running UMI Roto-joints on the body side, and lightweight rod ends on the rear axle side. No bind and there is some isolation. Even when it was rod/rod it wasn't bad until the rod ends got loose and rattled. The ride impressed many that rode in the car.
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Old Nov 9, 2014 | 03:13 PM
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are replacement ends readily available?
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Old Nov 9, 2014 | 03:14 PM
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Yes, the roto joints are rebuildable, and thread in just like rod ends.

Rod ends are also readily available from many sources.
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Old Nov 9, 2014 | 03:20 PM
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would it be possible to get them for stock LCA's? I want to box mine.

Also, can you provide a company or link on where to buy them?
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Old Nov 9, 2014 | 03:23 PM
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I don't think they would work in the stock LCA's.

http://umiperformance.com/catalog/in...ndex&cPath=199
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Old Nov 9, 2014 | 04:00 PM
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hmmm, i'll probably just press in a set of polys, box them and run relocation brackets. Should work well enough.
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Old Nov 9, 2014 | 04:58 PM
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Im about to order the 3 piece poly joint arms from Founders... should be a good choice.
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Old Nov 9, 2014 | 10:11 PM
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I would just run the poly/rod-end combo if your main concern is straight line performance. Rod-ends are still fairly inexpensive and will allow enough articulation to avoid and over-steer issues on the occasional curvy road. And the poly at the body end will help minimize any NVH. Now if you don't mind spend more then get roto-joints instead of rod-end on the axle tube end.
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Old Nov 10, 2014 | 12:02 PM
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Here's the newest in bushing technology..
I have BMR's new Synthetic Elastomer bushings in their lower control arms and adjustable panhard rod and am very impressed so far. I got them a few weeks ago to try out before they hit the market. These have the same benefits as a poly bushing but have a durometer reading very similar to a rubber bushing. I haven't done drag racing with them yet but I have been on a race track- Road America and they have a nice linear feel to them, no harsh rebounding or binding. Coming off of another brand's aftermarket poly bushings in LCA's and PHR I could feel the difference and will be sticking with these.

Give Eric or Kyle from BMR a call to learn more about these.

Red bushing is an existing bushing, the black is the new synthetic elastomer
Attached Thumbnails LCA question: spherical, poly or rubber?-bushing.jpg  
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Old Nov 10, 2014 | 02:12 PM
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^X2. Our new Synthetic-Elastomer bushings will bridge the gap between poly and rubber, by offering the benefits of each. When it comes to rod ends, while they are nearly indestructible, they also are very noisy for street use. The combination bushing/rod end pieces are a happy medium. You will notice increased NVH over a standard polyurethane or rubber bushing, but will not be as harsh as a full rod end combo arm. Honestly, unless you are making 750+whp, or building a hardcore handling application, you won't see any benefits from changing to rod ends over poly. Basically, it all comes down to how much ride quality you want to sacrifice, if any.
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Old Nov 21, 2014 | 03:18 PM
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Originally Posted by BMR Tech2
^X2. Our new Synthetic-Elastomer bushings will bridge the gap between poly and rubber, by offering the benefits of each. When it comes to rod ends, while they are nearly indestructible, they also are very noisy for street use. The combination bushing/rod end pieces are a happy medium. You will notice increased NVH over a standard polyurethane or rubber bushing, but will not be as harsh as a full rod end combo arm. Honestly, unless you are making 750+whp, or building a hardcore handling application, you won't see any benefits from changing to rod ends over poly. Basically, it all comes down to how much ride quality you want to sacrifice, if any.
thanks guys I will look into those.

Ok, I can't find the bushings....
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Old Nov 21, 2014 | 08:03 PM
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Originally Posted by Majestic9C1
Im about to order the 3 piece poly joint arms from Founders... should be a good choice.
Just got me some of the Founders 3 piece poly joint lca's to go with my UMI single adjustable pan hard bar.
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Old Nov 21, 2014 | 09:06 PM
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I've been happy with my factory 1LE rubber. But I gather
these are not available and have no idea what replacement
comes closest.
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Old Nov 21, 2014 | 11:20 PM
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The Moog rear LCA bushing is a copy of the 1LE. They really are a good compromise for a street car. And they weigh less than most of the aftermarket arms.
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Old Nov 24, 2014 | 03:40 PM
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I'm gonna need something that will work well with 1.6 60 ft times
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