jimmyblue

iTrader: (11)

I see an outfit (not a sponsor as far
as I know) selling aluminum Panhard
rods with spherical ends for about the
usual price, maybe less. Claimed to be
lighter than the tubular steel ones.

But I'm thinking to myself, hell,
thick-wall tubular aluminum from the
welding supply place by the foot, 15
minutes with the tap, in go the rod
ends, badda-bing. For a materials cost
no more than the selling price of the
assembly, I could make my own.

Question is, will the threads pull or
is bending a likelihood?

Anybody abuse the commercial one? I guess
if you have it, you know what I'm talking
about. Is aluminum up to the job?

2FAST4U

I have had the 3 different APHR. 1)singal adj. 2)BMR 3)the one I have now aluminum (they said Chrome moly) Very light and nice!!

2001CamaroGuy

iTrader: (6)

I have the aluminum and am really happy with it.

M3EATER

I am selling & using an aluminum PHB & LCAs.

I have used two other companies parts and have not been happy with them. Heavy, rattly rod ends, etc.

I now have 10,000 miles and a few track days on my PPC units & they are great. Light (you always want to reduce your unsprung weight to enhance suspension action), quiet & durable. .. thanks to high quality teflon lined rod ends.

Gordon
www.provenperformanceconcepts.com

<img src="http://www.provenperformanceconcepts.com/PPC%20BANNER%20468x60.jpg" alt=" - " />

<img src="http://www.provenperformanceconcepts.com/PanhardDetail%20MED.jpg" alt=" - " /> <img src="http://www.provenperformanceconcepts.com/ControlArmDetail%20MED.jpg" alt=" - " />

Judd

iTrader: (1)

Whose rod ends do you use? If they are from the company that I'm thinking of, could one option their teflon/kevlar ends?

talonis

Regarding the original post, I'm actually in the process of constructing my own PHB and LCAs from aluminum using QA1 rod ends (supposed to be the best rod ends you can get). Drop me a line if you want some pointers. The expense of these items is not in the aluminum. Quality rod ends are what make these things expensive, a QA1 rod end runs about $36. I'm not sure what ends PPC uses, but if they are QA1s then you wouldn't save yourself anything by making them yourself.

94bird

Hey Gordon, I'd like to know the specs of your parts. What tubing diameter and what's the weight of each part?

I second the question - are they QA1 good rod ends? If you give me the QA1 part number, and the rest of your specs coincide with what I was going to build anyway, your price is good and I'd just buy from you to save myself some time this spring.

M3EATER

The rod ends are F.K.

They are 5/8" male rod ends with teflon lining.
My manufacturer has been running these parts in SCCA showroom & cup racing for quite a few years now. They have tried them all (QA-1 included) and have settled on the F.K. units for overall durability and strength. I'm sure you can imagine what a broken rod-end can mean under racing conditions!

The F.K. web site is:

www.fkrodends.com

I will have the exact detail for you tomorrow.

Thanks,
Gordon
www.provenperformanceconcepts.com

<img src="http://www.provenperformanceconcepts.com/PPC%20BANNER%20468x60.jpg" alt=" - " />

98_1LE

iTrader: (17)

I have the LG Motorsports aluminum LCA's and PHB. So far they are quiet and great performing.

94bird

Gordon,

Any specs yet?

98_1LE,

I think the LG parts are a good bit more expensive than Gordon's, correct? However, I know LG's rod ends are good, and I've never heard of FK before.

Something tells me I should still make my own . . .

98_1LE

iTrader: (17)

Yes, the G2 parts were more than Gordons prices. I have never seen the PPC parts so I can't comment on them other than they look like nice parts. So far my LG parts have been perfect. It almost feels like I need to run more rear spring with the rod ends.

M3EATER

Here's some specs on the LCAs & PHB.....

LCAs = 5-lbs each with all hardware. 1" diameter billet 6061 T6 aluminum. 8,000 lb static radial load (each) on the teflon lined rod ends (upgrades available, up to 18,000 lb).

PHB = 8-lbs with all hardware. All other specs same as LCAs.

These items are currently on sale, see the "Specials" page of the website.

<img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" />

Gordon
www.provenperformanceconcepts.com

<img src="http://www.provenperformanceconcepts.com/PPC%20BANNER%20468x60.jpg" alt=" - " />

94bird

Gordon, 5 lbs. per LCA with rod ends sounds pretty heavy. Isn't that heavier than stock even? Jon A's setup using Coleman aluminum tubing in 1 1/8" OD weigh about 2 lbs. with QA1 rod end on one side and poly on the other. Using 2 rod ends instead wouldn't add 3 lbs. What's your wall thickness on the tubing?

http://home.earthlink.net/~jonaa/AluminumLCAs.html

Your LCAs do look good though.