Differences between Lower Control Arms

[BucknVr4]

So I'm in the process of rebuilding the front end and am wondering if there is any benefit of one LCA type over the other. I have a 94 VR4 with a 93083 build date meaning it uses the bolt on rear bushing. I also have a set of the new style arms. I've seen some random comments that they can be interchanged and it looks like that's true just as long as I get the brackets along with the bushing if I go with the later style. I already have the ball joints and have ordered the front bushings from Buck. Now just to decide which arms to use so I know which to send off to the powder coater and which rear bushings to buy. Is there any benefit of one style over the other. I'm guessing Mitsubishi just made the change for cost reduction.

Pre 9310 build bolt on rear bushings:
MB633620
MB633621

9310 and later clamp on rear bushings and brackets
MB808830 bracket
MB808831 bracket
MB808832 bushing (or use something like Beck Arnley 101-6199)

[Hans@GZP]

I like the earlier style arms. The rear bushing seems more substantial and harder to wear out.

[fullracegt]

I like the earlier style arms. The rear bushing seems more substantial and harder to wear out.

Have people went with an older style LCA as an upgrade?

[Hans@GZP]

I've never really sold any of the older arms to people for an upgrade

[BucknVr4]

Yea your comment about the older style bushing makes sense. I'd rather stay with the style that came on the car anyhow. I was just wondering if anybody saw a real reason to switch since I have both in hand. The older style bushings are going to cost me more but in the end there's probably not that much difference seeing I would have to buy the brackets as well if I did switch out. Now off to the powder coater.

[Street_Chally73]

Slightly off your original topic, but how are you getting the two front press-in bushings (website link?)?

That's the only thing I couldn't locate for mine & just figured I'd have to have them custom made or try to find two that would work from another application.

In for a response...


Sent from the garage

[Hans@GZP]

There is a place in England that sells them. I don't have a link handy though. It's been posted up before.

[Steve Lawtey]

There is a place in England that sells them. I don't have a link handy though. It's been posted up before.
Superflex make poly bushes to replace the rubber ones. Their front bush fits all years, their rear bracket kit fits all years, but their rear bush only fits the early types. All are available through www.camskill.co.uk

[Street_Chally73]

Superflex make poly bushes to replace the rubber ones. Their front bush fits all years, their rear bracket kit fits all years, but their rear bush only fits the early types. All are available through www.camskill.co.uk

Great, thanks!

[fullracegt]

Superflex make poly bushes to replace the rubber ones. Their front bush fits all years, their rear bracket kit fits all years, but their rear bush only fits the early types. All are available through Cheap Tyres Discount Tyres Buy Tyres Online & Japanese Import Car Parts Spares Tuning Performance Servicing Accessories (http://www.camskill.co.uk)

Do they ship to the u.s.?

[Hans@GZP]

Working on trying to get some the US for everyone

[fullracegt]

Working on trying to get some the US for everyone


That would be awesome Hans,I thought it was awesome that you guys started carrying poly front subframe bushings.
I'm glad when shops keep developing parts for the 3s

[JasonY]

Wonder if the ones with the additional caster would be beneficial? Patterson, thoughts?

Jason

[anyonebutme]

Wonder if the ones with the additional caster would be beneficial? Patterson, thoughts?

Jason

NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO!

OK, let me explain. Yes the caster is good, but how they did it is wrong for our suspension. Basically they copied the 1995 BMW M3 design. Since we don't use a ball joint as our front control arm mount, then moving the rear mount binds up the control arm and prevents it from moving correctly. The rear mount MUST be on the same plane and inline with the front bushing when you have a single axis bushing. The soft stock bushing might take it, but it's going to wear out faster and hurt performance. OR, you could get a little ghetto and oval the forward mounting holes and give the bracket a little bend......

Now, if you replaced the front bushing with a monoball or spherical joint, then yes you can use that piece, but by then the rear mount is monoball anyways.

[JasonY]

Good info.

Jason

[BucknVr4]

It would be great to see the polys available at GZP but in the mean time I ordered a set from Buck Waller. Yes he's still selling them.

Lower control arm bushings - 3000GT/Stealth International Message Center (http://www.3si.org/forum/f41/lower-control-arm-bushings-503391/)


Slightly off your original topic, but how are you getting the two front press-in bushings (website link?)?

That's the only thing I couldn't locate for mine & just figured I'd have to have them custom made or try to find two that would work from another application.

In for a response...


Sent from the garage

[Rakuny]

super flex will ship the the U.S. and shipping isn't that awful either.. I ordered my front, front control arm bushings from this site..
SuperFlex Ltd - Suppliers of Polyurethane Car Suspension Bushes (http://www.superflex.co.uk/)

[Streamln1]

+1 on the caster change ones, I really didn't see how that would possibly work.

The rear larger ones are pricey, I bought mine strait from australia from SuperPro Superflex is just a distributor for them. I paid about $120-130 shipped for the set. I think superflex was closer to $150 or more if I remember.

Their link-
http://www.superpro.com.au/

Im sure if enough were interested we could probably get a discount for quanity too.