Educate me on these ebay LCA's
09-17-2005, 04:50 PM
#1
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Educate me on these ebay LCA's I've been looking at LCA's and a panhard rod to buy for a couple days. I've found a couple on ebay that are priced very reasonably:
First, $90: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=8000793188
Second, $100: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=7999508574
What I'm confused about is..the first, cheaper item, is adjustable. I've seen these adjustable spherical LCA's going for $150-200. The second item, the more expensive, is non-adjustable. I've seen these going for $110-130. I'm not sure which to get..I want the adjustable ones right now, but it seems like something is up. Why would a part that's normally $80 more than another, be $10 cheaper? Is it just because the first part is a no-name brand and the second is well-known UMI? Is there really much difference in the build quality of these metal bars that you would recommend not getting the first part?
Any help would be appreciated, thanks.
First, $90: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=8000793188
Second, $100: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=7999508574
What I'm confused about is..the first, cheaper item, is adjustable. I've seen these adjustable spherical LCA's going for $150-200. The second item, the more expensive, is non-adjustable. I've seen these going for $110-130. I'm not sure which to get..I want the adjustable ones right now, but it seems like something is up. Why would a part that's normally $80 more than another, be $10 cheaper? Is it just because the first part is a no-name brand and the second is well-known UMI? Is there really much difference in the build quality of these metal bars that you would recommend not getting the first part?
Any help would be appreciated, thanks.
09-17-2005, 07:43 PM
#2
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that "solid steel grease-able rear bushings" on those first ones are scary. I don't think i'd get those.
Adjustability on LCA's isnt a huge deal. They can correct for thrust angle (which shouldnt be a major issue on most cars) or they can push/pull the axle forward or backward if you have some seriously tall tires that may rub the front or back of the wheel well (which once again probably wont be an issue for most people).
If you're going to go poly bushings, theres no reason to go adjustable if you ask me. And if you go with spherical (rod) ends.. they'll be adjustable anyway- just the way rod ends are..
Oh... and UMI is a sponsor... and other sponsors make good stuff too... its always good to support the sponsors
Adjustability on LCA's isnt a huge deal. They can correct for thrust angle (which shouldnt be a major issue on most cars) or they can push/pull the axle forward or backward if you have some seriously tall tires that may rub the front or back of the wheel well (which once again probably wont be an issue for most people).
If you're going to go poly bushings, theres no reason to go adjustable if you ask me. And if you go with spherical (rod) ends.. they'll be adjustable anyway- just the way rod ends are..
Oh... and UMI is a sponsor... and other sponsors make good stuff too... its always good to support the sponsors
09-17-2005, 10:39 PM
#3
The first set use rod ends that are junk or very close to it. It's a "swedged" rod end. They put the ball in it, and "smash" it around the ball. The tolerances are not very precise, and they don't appear to be teflon lined. I've got a set of Rod/Rod LCA's in my garage that I'll virtually give away (really cheap, or less) if someone wants them (from slot car performance).
Or, as stated, there are many sponsors here who make very good products. I'd look into something from one of them.
Or, as stated, there are many sponsors here who make very good products. I'd look into something from one of them.
09-17-2005, 10:51 PM
#4
I would recommend a rod/rod PHR, because there's no point in getting a little slop from poly bushings.
One thing no one mentioned and I felt I should point out is the the poly/poly LCA's don't allow for hardly any twist. In use on the car, the arms need to twist and the rubber allows that. The ONLY thing good about that first one is that the rodend allows for that twist and won't cause as much bind. Still, you wouldn't want to waste your money on cheap rod ends.
What I'm looking at is the rod/rubber LCA's that Jon Aadland put together. They have a rod end on one end and an adjustable rubber bushing (about half the thickness of the stock rubber bushings) on the other end. That seems like a very good compromise to me.
http://frrax.com/rrforum/index.php?act=ST&f=3&t=3553&
One thing no one mentioned and I felt I should point out is the the poly/poly LCA's don't allow for hardly any twist. In use on the car, the arms need to twist and the rubber allows that. The ONLY thing good about that first one is that the rodend allows for that twist and won't cause as much bind. Still, you wouldn't want to waste your money on cheap rod ends.
What I'm looking at is the rod/rubber LCA's that Jon Aadland put together. They have a rod end on one end and an adjustable rubber bushing (about half the thickness of the stock rubber bushings) on the other end. That seems like a very good compromise to me.
http://frrax.com/rrforum/index.php?act=ST&f=3&t=3553&
09-18-2005, 07:31 PM
#6
Originally Posted by BADZ
Adj rod/rod ends are great as long as you use quality rod ends and not use the tubular stuff...Trackbird is correct!!!
I think you are saying that you don't like the poly bushings?
09-18-2005, 07:35 PM
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No, we are a machine shop and build SOLID BILLET rod/rod lca's and phr's for the industry and sell about 20-40 sets a month to 6 speed shops around the US... You're right, I don't care for twisted dry rotted bushings over a period but that's my opinion...
