Adjustable control arm mounts

[scjimbo]

As above. What's the point? In my tiny little mind they would only do the same job as the track rod ends.

Can anyone confirm or shoot this theory out of the water?

[Brianmoooore]

Position of control arm pin affects caster, camber and toe. Track rod ends enable you to reset the toe.
Don't know if you need to have adjustable ones, but it certainly helps to move the pin out a bit with offset bushes.

[scjimbo]

Ah cheers Brian. I did wonder why you could buy them. Are they adjustable in three axis or just the distance into the center of the car?

[ross_jsy]

When you say adjustable control arm mounts what do you mean?

AKG do adjustable control arms, but they aren't cheap and are track only.

[Motorhole]

http://store.motorsportsconcepts.com/dt ... 0-e36.html

[ross_jsy]

Crikey, they know how to charge! And I thought the AKG ones were expensive for what they are!

http://www.akgmotorsport.com/catalog/ca ... rol%20Arms

[scjimbo]

When you say adjustable control arm mounts what do you mean?

AKG do adjustable control arms, but they aren't cheap and are track only.

Effectively an adjustable version of the lollipops

[ross_jsy]

Why would you need that?

[scjimbo]

Why would you need that?

That's my point. People are making/selling them. To my mind I can't see the point.

[ross_jsy]

Well race use, but little use outside pretty serious competition

[Motorhole]

Do you have a link? If it's a locking thread arrangement that moves a rose-jointed bearing (that takes the control arm) back and forward for adjusting castor, that would make sense I guess. But toe would have to be corrected with every adjustment - would have to know what you were doing!

[scjimbo]

Do you have a link? If it's a locking thread arrangement that moves a rose-jointed bearing (that takes the control arm) back and forward for adjusting castor, that would make sense I guess. But toe would have to be corrected with every adjustment - would have to know what you were doing!

That's the exact thing. Not interested in fitting them I'm thinking of making them to sell.

[ross_jsy]

I don't think there would be a market for them though.

[driftwood]

I don't think there would be a market for them though.

I don't know about that.. It's a good idea. It means you could use the cheaper camber adjustment only strut mounts as well and have adjustable front suspension. Ok for track use but with a rose joint it might be a bit harsh on the road.

[ross_jsy]

I somewhat doubt it's going to work out cheaper to use camber adjustable top mounts AND the adjustable control arm mounts. Far easier to use set and forget m3 mounts which give you all the castor you need.

[scjimbo]

I somewhat doubt it's going to work out cheaper to use camber adjustable top mounts AND the adjustable control arm mounts. Far easier to use set and forget m3 mounts which give you all the castor you need.

Nice one Ross. That confirms my thinking.

[Phill172]

In some cases the using a adjustable rear control arm bush can be very usefull.

Im yet to try the set up to see if the geometry can be improved using these and a stock e36 wishbone on a e30

[harry_p]

Stock e36 wishbone is the same as a standard e30 one, just with a crap ballpoint design.

IF you could get enough adjustment at the rear bush you may be able to get away with standard e30 arms on e36 m3 hubs for a five stud setup, BUT, the further you move the mount out, you swing the outer ballpoint on an arc, so while it gains castor, pushing the wheel forwards, it also swings the outer ballpoint inwards reducing track and negative camber

Which is why people use evo arms as the joint is already further forwards and further out than any other direct fit arm, so you can swing it far enough with a normal offset bush to correct castor and sit the wheel I'm the right place without the negative effects.