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Author
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Topic: Spherical Aircraft Bearings for Mav/Comet lower control arms
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CometGT1974
Gearhead Posts: 372
From: Asheville, NC USA
Registered: Jan 2002
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posted 01-24-2004 09:56 AM
   
I've been working on my front suspension trying to get the car to transfer weight as efficiently as possible. There's lots involved in getting a car to hook up, especially a leaf spring car. I'ts not just one component but the whole package. My rear suspension is pretty much as good as it's gonna get for a stock leaf spring setup but there was much to be desired in the front. The Urethane bushings I installed were binding and actually tearing the lower control arm bushing. Resistance like that is not what you want, it keeps the front suspension from doing it's job. The best way to get rid of all the bind is to make everything a bearing insted of a bushing!! Easier said then done!! I've converted the lower control arm over to a Spherical Aircraft Bearing that will allow it to move effortlessly, exactly the way you want it in drag racing and in road racing!! The uppers are currently at the machine shop having custom greaseable bushings made! I'm also have a custom strut rod bearing made up and last winter I had the spring perch made into a greasable aluminum bushing. The expensive alternative to all this is the trick uppers and lowers from TCP or Global West at the tune of about $700 for the uppers and I think $500 for the lowers. I got the spherical bearing kit from Global West which requires a bit of work to install and I also boxed in the bearing end of the control arm. I will follow up with pictures of the upper control arms as well as the custom strut rod bearings!!http://mmb.maverick.to/attachment.php?s=&postid=43036 [This message has been edited by CometGT1974 (edited 01-24-2004).]
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CometGT1974
Gearhead Posts: 372
From: Asheville, NC USA
Registered: Jan 2002
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posted 01-24-2004 09:58 AM
http://mmb.maverick.to/attachment.php?s=&postid=43037
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CometGT1974
Gearhead Posts: 372
From: Asheville, NC USA
Registered: Jan 2002
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posted 01-24-2004 09:59 AM
http://mmb.maverick.to/attachment.php?s=&postid=43038
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CometGT1974
Gearhead Posts: 372
From: Asheville, NC USA
Registered: Jan 2002
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posted 01-24-2004 10:00 AM
http://mmb.maverick.to/attachment.php?s=&postid=43039
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69maverick
Moderator Posts: 1455
From: Thomaston,CT.
Registered: Jan 2001
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posted 01-26-2004 01:52 PM
tell me more my brotha! I have boxed mine in to stablize them from flex in the center section but I haven't done anything to the bushing end yet.  What have you done to the chassis mounts the firm them up?
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CometGT1974
Gearhead Posts: 372
From: Asheville, NC USA
Registered: Jan 2002
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posted 01-27-2004 10:00 AM
Well, since this is mostly a drag car I didn't strengthen the frame mount, if it saw road course action or extreme street action I would strengthen the frame mount. I boxed in the bushing end since it seems to be the weakest part of the lower arm. I basically replicated what Global West does except at about half the cost. I'm trying to get the front suspension as "loose" as possible so the spring and shock can do there job without the bushings/bearings interfering. I guess you could call it a "roller" front suspension but the upper arms are just gonna be greaseable bronze bushings since it was gonna be a major cost to find bearings and make them work. I had originally used Urethane bushings but they were binding and not allowing the front suspension to move up and down freely. This will allow the car to transfer weight more freely and accurately. Alex (Moneymaker) has given me most of the ideas. The bearing kit is part# SP4 from Global West and @ $160 for the kit they are not cheap bearings!! If I go out on the street I can just tighten up the QA1 shocks and the ride will be normal!! The best of both worlds!!
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69maverick
Moderator Posts: 1455
From: Thomaston,CT.
Registered: Jan 2001
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posted 01-27-2004 02:17 PM
Now that you have the bearing kit do you think this bearing is made for this arm or is it something off the shelf?
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CometGT1974
Gearhead Posts: 372
From: Asheville, NC USA
Registered: Jan 2002
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posted 01-27-2004 02:22 PM
It's a "universal" type kit, it's actually listed for a 62-67 Nova. The holes have to be reamed out slightly and a new sleeve welded in. Then the bearing is pressed in and a retaining ring is pressed in to keep the bearing in place.
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