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Old 09-05-2019, 04:29 PM
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Default Adjustable Rear Upper Control Arms worth the money?

Just wondering if anyone has used these types of adjustable Control Arms (any brand) and whether they are worth spending over $200 on over the standard type?

Thanks in advance.
Paul
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Old 09-05-2019, 05:40 PM
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They are if you have, or plan to, alter the ride height. They'll making re adjusting pinion angle/driveline angle much easier. Or if you plan to run it at the track...

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Old 09-06-2019, 11:28 AM
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I have UMI adjustables in my El Camino.
Had a driveline vibration after lowering the car two inches, I was able to adjust the driveline angle which eliminated the vibration.

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Old 09-06-2019, 12:32 PM
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I just went for regular non-adjustables and haven't had any issues. Why add something that needs adjustment, I figured.

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Old 09-06-2019, 08:32 PM
younggto younggto is offline
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Set the pinion angle and forget it in my mind; other than making sure the jam nuts are tight occasionally. I would much rather know what my pinion angle is than relying on manufacturing tolerances and ride height differences.

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Old 09-08-2019, 07:59 AM
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I used Spohn adjustable lowers. Easier to set as you can do it on the ground or a drive on rack, all the while checking pinion angle at ride height.

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Old 09-08-2019, 05:29 PM
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I used UMI’s with the rotor joints on top. Summit has sales on UMI stuff on occasion, it pays to check now and then.
http://umiperformance.com/catalog/in...roducts_id=372
My pinion angle was way off when I lowered the car, around 5 degrees. It took a good bit of adjustment to get it back to where it should be. Took care of a high speed vibration I was having.

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68 GTO,3860#
Stock Original 400/M-20 Muncie,3.55’s
13.86 @ 100
Old combo:
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1968 Pontiac GTO : 11.114 @ 120.130 MPH

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517 MR-1,10.8 CR,SD 350CFM E's,QFT 950/Northwind,246/252 HR,9.5” 4000 stall,3.42's
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http://www.dragtimes.com/Pontiac-GTO...lip-31594.html
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Old 09-08-2019, 07:48 PM
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Excellent, thanks everyone for your replies. I have 2 inch drop springs on my car I am restoring, its not on the road yet, so I will get a set of these and then get the angle set once its built.

Cheers, Paul.

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Old 09-18-2019, 11:21 PM
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I have 2 inch lowering springs in the front plus the tall ball joints. I just used regular fixed umi control arms and it doesn’t look like I’m gonna have a problem but the car isn’t on the road yet

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Old 10-11-2019, 02:35 AM
65sport 65sport is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 64speed View Post
I have 2 inch lowering springs in the front plus the tall ball joints. I just used regular fixed umi control arms and it doesn’t look like I’m gonna have a problem but the car isn’t on the road yet
I'm interested in putting the tall upper ball joints in my 65 Lemans. What brand/where did you get yours and are you happy with the install?

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Old 10-11-2019, 06:40 PM
younggto younggto is offline
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Proforged has a 0.5” and a 0.9” taller upper balljoint. I put the 0.5” taller ones in my car last year with no regrets, wish I knew of the 0.9” taller ones tho; alignments aren’t free.

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Old 10-14-2019, 09:06 AM
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I originally put non adjustable in mine because I didn't need to change anything. Then, it turns out that I needed to alter my pinion angle a while later to kill a drive line vibration. Soooo, I bought some adjustable uppers and swapped them again.
Just buy the adjustable type and be done with it.

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Old 10-20-2019, 04:43 PM
65sport 65sport is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by younggto View Post
Proforged has a 0.5” and a 0.9” taller upper balljoint. I put the 0.5” taller ones in my car last year with no regrets, wish I knew of the 0.9” taller ones tho; alignments aren’t free.
Thanks I was able to find them both. Question: Any clearance problems created with the .5" taller balljoint on your setup ? I have my car all apart right now and can't tell if this will create interference between the top of the A-arm and maybe the wheel. I know you can't speak for my specific wheels, but how did that area look on your car and if you know what is the offset on your wheels ? I really want to go with the .9" taller now while it's apart.

Thanks in advance for everything.

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Old 10-21-2019, 07:19 PM
younggto younggto is offline
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15x4.5” Cragar wheels and no clearance issues as the A-arm is quite a ways away from the wheel. Looking at my other 67 that is stock with 15x6 wheels (Torque Thrust Ds currently installed, no idea on backspace but based on Summit’s site they are likely 3.66” BS, unless they changed the mold from 1996 or so) the A-arm is not “within” the wheel (and the wheel would not fit over the balljoint anyway) so you should be fine with any height balljoint; assuming you don’t have some deep offset 18s or something...

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Old 10-22-2019, 02:26 AM
65sport 65sport is offline
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I think I'll start with the .9" uppers, and if clearances look good and if it makes sense bump-steer wise, I might go with the .5" lowers (I know they would lower the car .5"). I wish I had considered these things before I tore it down as I'm not 100% sure what my front end height will be after replacing the a-arms despite using the same springs. I will rough in the alignment and after finalizing things then I'll get a real alignment on it. Thanks for the help, if you have any more advice it will be welcomed.

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