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 A Reason for suspension arms! and how to fit baller wheels properly...First  1 2 3 >  Last
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yokota180sx
"Fun Sponge"

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1996 Y33 cedric/1997 Stagea
Akiruno shi tokyo
11-19-2006

  Reason for suspension arms!!!! (read you might learn something)


**************disclaimer for the actual handling knowit guys. This isnt an end all article. it doesnt explain how certain things affect driving, traction etc etc. Its only for alignment aid purposes***********

Ok, while some terms used may be foreign to you, Google it.
These are the suspension arms that are sold either aftermarket, or OEM (Nismo arms).
1. LCA (lower control arm)-connects the knuckle, where your hub is bolted to the front end of your car.
2. Tension rod- Connects your LCA to the tension rod bracket. Affects lateral movement of the LCA.
3. Rear upper control arm (ruca)-affects camber
4. Rear toe arm- affects toe
5. rear traction rod-like a tension rod….moves your wheel forward or back.

There are other pieces but don’t worry, you can’t afford them. (Or I for that matter)

Ok, on to why you need it.
Front-
The only real reason to get tension rods in the front is to stiffen up your response on turning and other aspects. Also moving the wheel forward and rear affect the handling characteristics of your car. Google it to find out how, this isn’t an article for that.

This article WILL however focus on the rear of your S chassis/Z32/Y33/and any other Nissan with a multilink rear.
With your car at OEM static height, everything is all kosher
BUT, add a 2 inch drop to that. What is affected?
Mainly what you will notice offhand is the camber. Pretty much that fact that you have more of it. While camber looks cool, and has its functions, there is also a horrible byproduct for performance (in some instances) as well as tire wear. Now, with a mild drop, you may not need any arms at all, of course depending on your wheel fitment.
Your factory adjustments have PLENTY of adjusting for most people. Note on my Y33 I run the rear arms MAXED OUT for camber, and its extremely menacing, but not near enough. So again, for most of you, don’t even worry about this thread.
Add more than 3 inches or so. What is affected THEN?
Well, its complicated. Everything you adjust in the rear end at that height affects one another. If you add more camber at a super low height, the toe gets all jacked up, then when you fix the toe, the wheel position in the wheel well gets jacked up (caster).
I mean, you CAN just fix the toe, but your handling might be a little weird in some instances than before.
What arms are right for you
Well, it all depends. MOST people can get away with ONLY Rucas, and most get tension in the front. While other get all of it for the hell of it.

IMO if your going to run 10j be it 17/18/19 your going to need all 3 rods in the rear. Mainly, because if your running that large of a wheel, your going to need to be able to adjust it adequately, because you KNOW your going to want it slammed. This doesn’t apply to every, but 80% of the people that are running super large wheels, or want to, are going to be driving low. And driving low means your entire geometry is messed up. So yeah, get yourself some arms, from a quality company. No ebay stuff here guys, unless its used good stuff, Tein, Kazama, SPL, JIC, etc.

If you have any questions, please feel free to post or email me
Tsispyder97@aol.com.





Need Wheels, or JDM parts?
Call me 8435646003, please take into account time change differences.

Clawhammer
Sir Rocksalot



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RPS13
Gainesville/Clearwater FL
12-29-2006

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When I got my coilovers I had no arms. I had like -3+ * camber in the rear.

After I got RUCAS and Toe Arms and an alignment, the *** end of my car felt much more solid and responsive. They were having a little trouble with the rear alignment, trying to get it to the specs I gave them, is that because...if I understand correctly, I skipped the traction rods so when they adjust toe...is that what's throwing everything off? Should I get the traction rods? I got SPL RUCAS and Toe Arms, and I'm about to order their tension rods, should I throw the traction rods on?




yokota180sx
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1996 Y33 cedric/1997 Stagea
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11-19-2006

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traction rods are a definate plus

If your unable to adjust within limits with the toe rod, then its becuase your traction rod needs to be longer normally.

pat93

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san jose ca
2-8-2007

 « Re: (yokota180sx)


Thanks yokota I've learned something from you again.
To make this article more complete, It would be great If you would you give some overview about the alignment spec. for dd/race after putting those arms in.

Modified by pat93 at 1:00 PM 10/20/2007
pat93

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san jose ca
2-8-2007

 « Re: (yokota180sx)


Thanks yokota I've learned something from you again.
To make this thread more complete,
It would be great If you would give some overview about
the alignment spec. for dd/race after putting those arms in.
yokota180sx
"Fun Sponge"

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11-19-2006

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i dont do specs.
i just put my **** on, drive, and if i like it i keep it.
E7-S14



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ess 14 foo!
that dark ally
6-25-2006

 « Re: (yokota180sx)


sweet thread

i have no aftermarket/adjustable links/arms what so ever
my suspension geometry is all jacked up
i doubt running under +3 camber
have no idea what my toe angle is
never had my car aligned after lowering(i have my reasons)..

I'm just in a heap a trouble huh..

guess I need to get things together
just a few more susp. parts to go.. then arms/links..

but yeah.
+1 for the thread





Top Dead Center "Power Through Precision"


-Black 95 S14_N/A S14 SR
S13Teddy
HAI KITTEH



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of useless, uninformative garbage
Torrance CA
4-30-2007

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Cool article. I learned some stuff. Thanks man



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yokota180sx
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1996 Y33 cedric/1997 Stagea
Akiruno shi tokyo
11-19-2006

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Oh yeah, to add to this
when you add a **** ton of camber, you HAVE TO GET TRACTION RODS
i just ordered mine, becuase i maxed out my dmax camber arms to fit some new wheels, and it moved the wheel so fat back in teh wheel well, i couldnt even bolt it up.

its like a front tension rod.

mchkc240
Golden Green



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91,92 Nissan S13 - SOLD 98 BMW E36 - Running
Bay area ca
11-14-2006

 « Re: (yokota180sx)


Sorry for thread jacking but yokota I like your rims in your sig. What are they?



After market steering wheel clan! >>> Click In <<<

High mileage OG 240s ONLY >>> Click in <<<

1991-1994 240sx TUTORIALS


yokota180sx
"Fun Sponge"

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1996 Y33 cedric/1997 Stagea
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11-19-2006

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i cant see my sig
i have it turned off cause nico loads slow as *** at work.

prolly my leon hardiritt ordens.

wanna buy a set?
3gs.

nismofly
Moderator



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89 S13 Hatch
Syracuse / Shirley NY
9-4-2004

 « 


this pic






yokota180sx
"Fun Sponge"

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1996 Y33 cedric/1997 Stagea
Akiruno shi tokyo
11-19-2006

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yeah leon hardiritts

us price is 3600.00

ill sell you new set for 3gs lol

zrowkewl

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1989 nissan 240sx
edison new jersey
11-30-2007

 « Re: (yokota180sx)


little off topic,but can you get ahold of the kouki tails for an s13 fb?
Clawhammer
Sir Rocksalot



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RPS13
Gainesville/Clearwater FL
12-29-2006

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I put my tension rods in yesterday. Went to Tire Kingdom where a friend works and I have an alignment plan and someone stole their wooden boards so they couldn't get my car on the alignment rack. -_-

I have a 2.5 hour drive coming up most likely before I can get another alignment. Kinda worried about it, but I thought about it and I had to adjust the new rods to the same length as the old to get the bolts to line up with the LCA...so how far out of whack could I have thrown my alignment? Car slightly pulls to the left now though. :/

yokota180sx
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1996 Y33 cedric/1997 Stagea
Akiruno shi tokyo
11-19-2006

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just do this
measure from the center of your wheel to the fender, make sure you do it on both sides

adjust tension rods as needed

Ive NEVER had an alignment, and my entire suspension is changed

i do everything by measuring and eyeballing
and i dont pull, or abnormally wear tires

naed240sx



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. Columbia
4-27-2005

 « Re: Reason for suspension arms!!!! (yokota180sx)


While this hardly even comprises an article, it is horribly biased and provides almost no useful information. Everything you ever post in this forum is about stretching tires, huge wheels, overly lowering, or unnecessary amounts of camber.

If you really wanted to write about suspension arms, why not write something that has a large amount of information that ANYBODY could find useful. You failed to even touch on the benefits of heim joints, and you seem to think that having all suspension arms is mandated at a 3" drop.

My car is lowered at least 3 inches front and rear and all I have is front tension rods and rear upper control arms. My rear toe is just fine.

Also, your advice for alignments is terrible. I guarantee that if you actually put your car on a rack you would find that none of your settings are very accurate. You just can't notice it because you don't care about handling, and your car is not set up to handle.


You say that this is an "alignment aid" article, yet you don't even properly align your car.


Alignments are CRUCIAL, and "eyeballing it" will not cut it if you are at all interested in keeping tire wear down and having a car that drives well.

I recommend that anybody interested in anything other than a cool looking vip car go elsewhere for good information on this subject.






Garnier Crew

Red coupe



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92 Nissan 240sx Coupe
Pomona CA
9-15-2004

 « Re: (yokota180sx)


Quote, originally posted by yokota180sx »
i dont do specs.
i just put my **** on, drive, and if i like it i keep it.

You don't get an actual alignment you just estimate and keep it if it feels ok?

Apologies if I misread but are you ****ing retarded? Your writing a thread about suspension?




Random Hip Hop: Ronald Jenkees - The Fast Song - a piano jam
yokota180sx
"Fun Sponge"

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1996 Y33 cedric/1997 Stagea
Akiruno shi tokyo
11-19-2006

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nah, i use alot of measuering, and levels, and other tools.

but no i dont pay someone to do an alignment
i do it old school.

yokota180sx
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1996 Y33 cedric/1997 Stagea
Akiruno shi tokyo
11-19-2006

 « Re: Reason for suspension arms!!!! (naed240sx)


Quote, originally posted by naed240sx »
While this hardly even comprises an article, it is horribly biased and provides almost no useful information. Everything you ever post in this forum is about stretching tires, huge wheels, overly lowering, or unnecessary amounts of camber.

If you really wanted to write about suspension arms, why not write something that has a large amount of information that ANYBODY could find useful. You failed to even touch on the benefits of heim joints, and you seem to think that having all suspension arms is mandated at a 3" drop.

My car is lowered at least 3 inches front and rear and all I have is front tension rods and rear upper control arms. My rear toe is just fine.

Also, your advice for alignments is terrible. I guarantee that if you actually put your car on a rack you would find that none of your settings are very accurate. You just can't notice it because you don't care about handling, and your car is not set up to handle.


You say that this is an "alignment aid" article, yet you don't even properly align your car.


Alignments are CRUCIAL, and "eyeballing it" will not cut it if you are at all interested in keeping tire wear down and having a car that drives well.

I recommend that anybody interested in anything other than a cool looking vip car go elsewhere for good information on this subject.



im glad that you have no clue about my history...
or that this vip car is built to handle as well....
but regardless yeah

it waswnt bias, it was saying the funtion of the rods

if you want bias
i can say this

DMAX is the best ever!!!
everything else sucks

there, now thers bias in the poslt

naed240sx



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. Columbia
4-27-2005

 « Re: Reason for suspension arms!!!! (yokota180sx)


Looks pretty "built to handle".

Also, I'm hoping that that last post was written when drunk. Nice spelling.

Modified by naed240sx at 10:26 AM 12/16/2007

ddgsxr504
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1995 240SX SE
California Sucks
1-8-2005

 « Re: Reason for suspension arms!!!! (naed240sx)


Quote, originally posted by naed240sx »

Looks pretty "built to handle".






Quote, originally posted by rcabrita »
The GT3 looks WAY better the the GTR, that plus when women recognize a Porsche symbol their panties drop...
When she recognizes a Nissan symbol, her panties turn into a chastity belt...

yokota180sx
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11-19-2006

 « Re: Reason for suspension arms!!!! (naed240sx)


yeah, becuase my full dump height is really a good judge
this is really about the height, maybe 2 inches higher, that i drive at.

and i have normal camber at that height as well in the rear, maybe -3 to 4 at most. so yeah...it handles really well. damn near close to my 180

and its not spelling, its typing, which i suck at, and dont care to edit
Quote, originally posted by naed240sx »

Looks pretty "built to handle".

Also, I'm hoping that that last post was written when drunk. Nice spelling.


Modified by naed240sx at 10:26 AM 12/16/2007


Red coupe



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92 Nissan 240sx Coupe
Pomona CA
9-15-2004

 « Re: Reason for suspension arms!!!! (yokota180sx)


Quote, originally posted by yokota180sx »
yeah, becuase my full dump height is really a good judge
this is really about the height, maybe 2 inches higher, that i drive at.

and i have normal camber at that height as well in the rear, maybe -3 to 4 at most. so yeah...it handles really well. damn near close to my 180

and its not spelling, its typing, which i suck at, and dont care to edit

TBH, after reading this thread I would belive your 180 handles as bad as that car....
yokota180sx
"Fun Sponge"

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then i do believe your an idiot!

but since you dont know what your talking about, maybe i dont either?

naed240sx



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. Columbia
4-27-2005

 « Re: (yokota180sx)


Look man, I'll be the first to admit that with better paint job, your car would look badass.

But if you took it to a track I guarantee you would get raped by cars with much less power that have better tire and wheel choices and actual alignments. Stop kidding yourself and just admit that it wasn't built for performance.

yokota180sx
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1996 Y33 cedric/1997 Stagea
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11-19-2006

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let me point a few things out that you havent thought out

One, if i did go to the track, do you really thing these wheels will stay on?
Two. When i go to the track, do you REALLY think that much camber is going ot be ran?

Come on man, this car is built for performance. Maybe not an all out track car like my 180 was, but its built with performance right up there at the top when needed. In a few hours, it can be ready for the track no problem. i guarantee it

and next year, when it warms up, you guys will see it!

RBbugBITme

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Philadelphia/Yardley PA
3-9-2006

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You have any records to show what that 180 race car could do? For an all out track car you should have something...
What kind of brakes did it have? Did you come up with a custom set up and do any calculations or just off the shelf stuff.
Where was your CG at and what went into your decisions for whatever coils and shocks you used?
Did you ever corner weight the car? How'd that go with your "eyeballed" alignment. What was your ride height, wedge, and weight distribution?
You're a suspension guru right?



-Ryan
http://www.PdV-Motorsports.com
'08 Drexel Formula SAE Team Captain
yokota180sx
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11-19-2006

 « Re: (RBbugBITme)


Quote, originally posted by RBbugBITme »
You have any records to show what that 180 race car could do? For an all out track car you should have something...
What kind of brakes did it have? Did you come up with a custom set up and do any calculations or just off the shelf stuff.
Where was your CG at and what went into your decisions for whatever coils and shocks you used?
Did you ever corner weight the car? How'd that go with your "eyeballed" alignment. What was your ride height, wedge, and weight distribution?
You're a suspension guru right?

suspension Guru. no
can i fit wheels...yes.

As far as records. it was a drift car
it went to two events, i got 2nd place at one, the other was a practice day.
so tahts all i got. alot of mountain runs o tune the car, but nothing else bro.


as far as cornerweighting...GL finding somewhere to do it that wont cost an arm and a leg. alignments are almost 160 bucks for a ghetto *** one. i can use string,and crap to do it myself.
I drifted on 18s....with both of them tucking damn near at fullweight distribution front and rear in turns.

i bought parts as i needed them..and had a full suspension when i was done


regardless, what does me pointing out FACTS about the nissan multilink have to do with my cars?

RBbugBITme

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92 hatchback
Philadelphia/Yardley PA
3-9-2006

 « Re: (yokota180sx)


It doesn't really have anything to do with your first post. I'm just trying to understand what "built to handle" and "built for performance" means to you. Good luck with this "article."
yokota180sx
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why do i need luck

there wasnt any followup

it was a statement of facts that the nissan suspension does

so STFU, or contribute to it. i see no reason for your animosity in this post...others maybe. but not this one

RBbugBITme

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92 hatchback
Philadelphia/Yardley PA
3-9-2006

 « Re: (yokota180sx)


I am contributing. I've shown, through your own words, that you have no real racing experience and everything you say beyond the obvious google search is bull****.

Anyone and their mother can sit on the interwebbernets and read what a lower control arm or a tension rod blah blah blah can do... you're contributing nothing. Have a good day, raising your car whenever you see a pothole.

yokota180sx
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man, you have no clue what i know, bring your *** to japan, and let me show you my knowledge. ive built more cars int eh last year and a half than most people have in their life up to 22.

dont try and pull the you dont know **** card. regardless, i dont have to prove anything to you reallly.

WidebodyZ

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6-8-2006

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You guys really have no life do you? All I see is a bunch of kids who can't wait to try to prove someone wrong, but never seem to take the initiative to make a resonable thread of their own....why is that?




Japan VIP & Automotive Lifestyle...
RBbugBITme

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92 hatchback
Philadelphia/Yardley PA
3-9-2006

 « Re: (WidebodyZ)


Probably has to do with the fact that I know my audience. Posting about the technical aspects of vehicle dynamics will go right over the head of 99% of the people on this forum, including yoko. The people who do understand go elsewhere to talk about it, where there are other people that know what they're talking about. Go sit on this forum for a bit and see if you can follow what some of the design threads are talking about. http://p081.ezboard.com/bdsrforum
You're right though, I have no life. Its spent in a dirty lab leading a team for 16 hours a day over xmas break building this.

Thats called a race car and I am not a post whore repeating easily found information about the purpose of a RUCA or tension rods.

Red coupe



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Pomona CA
9-15-2004

 « Re: (WidebodyZ)


Quote, originally posted by WidebodyZ »
You guys really have no life do you? All I see is a bunch of kids who can't wait to try to prove someone wrong, but never seem to take the initiative to make a resonable thread of their own....why is that?
Well, I for one don't make a thread of my own because I know enough to know I shouldn't be the one teaching people when I am still a student myself.

A lot of people read these forums and take advice from people who know (or sound like the know) more as fact. Just because your willing to miss inform people doesn't mean your doing more for the community...If anything is more of a service to let people learn from real sources instead of trying to play teacher on a subject that you yourself are shaky at best about.


WidebodyZ

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 « Re: (RBbugBITme)


Quote, originally posted by RBbugBITme »
Its spent in a dirty lab leading a team for 16 hours a day over xmas break building this.

Thats called a race car


That's a race car? It looks like a glorified go-cart to me. So I can post pics of my old carts and say they are race cars too? I mean, hey, it's cool to have a hobby..or a starting point..and I don't mean disrespect..but that's not exactly a "race car". I mean yes, it is car like...and will be in races I assume....but so have many of my cars and other "vehicles". I raced cars, motorcycles, carts, boats (weekend style, not professional by any means)...but you don't see me here bantering other people by posting pics of my crafts and trying to make people respect me or listen to me rather than someone else. I'm glad you're happy with your project...and I hope it does well for whomever drives it..but please. Don't post a pic of something like that and a forum link and expect everyone to be like "damn, he's the man!"...it just won't happen.

Do you really think you're the only one here with any knowledge on design and fabrication?? Are you really that bold and brazen? Think about it, don't just be a prick for the sake of...well, being a prick. That's the way it came off...

Read his post again..he didn't say he was an expert...he didn't say there were no other sources...he was trying to help people. Not everyone is into the style he's speaking of..obviously you aren't so don't respond since you truly don't understand why he's doing it. It was basic information that obviously some members didn't know. Not all suspension arms are used for racing purposes. So please..next time you want to bash someone for something trivial...go to that "other" forum and do it there...I did say please.

RBbugBITme

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Philadelphia/Yardley PA
3-9-2006

 « Re: (WidebodyZ)


I'm not even going to bother explaining the efforts that go into those "go carts" since you clearly have no clue what it is or what the competition is about. Red coupe said it best and my point has been made so I'll leave it at that.
Red coupe



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92 Nissan 240sx Coupe
Pomona CA
9-15-2004

 « Re: (WidebodyZ)


Quote, originally posted by WidebodyZ »

That's a race car? It looks like a glorified go-cart to me. So I can post pics of my old carts and say they are race cars too? I mean, hey, it's cool to have a hobby..or a starting point..and I don't mean disrespect..but that's not exactly a "race car". I mean yes, it is car like...and will be in races I assume....but so have many of my cars and other "vehicles". I raced cars, motorcycles, carts, boats (weekend style, not professional by any means)...but you don't see me here bantering other people by posting pics of my crafts and trying to make people respect me or listen to me rather than someone else. I'm glad you'reeveryone to be like "damn, he's the man!"...it just won't happen.

Do you really think you're the only one here with any knowledge on design and fabrication?? Are you really that bold and brazen? Think about it, don't just be a prick for the sake of...well, being a prick. That's the way it came off...

Read his post again..he didn't say he was an expert...he didn't say there were no other sources...he was trying to help people. Not everyone is into the style he's speaking of..obviously you aren't so don't respond since you truly don't understand why he's doing it. It was basic information that obviously some members didn't know. Not all suspension arms are used for racing purposes. So please..next time you want to bash someone for something trivial...go to that "other" forum and do it there...I did say please.

TBH if you designed a go kart from the ground up that is competitive on the level of the FSAE cars I would LOVE to hear it...

Modified by Red coupe at 7:32 PM 12/22/2007

yokota180sx
"Fun Sponge"

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1996 Y33 cedric/1997 Stagea
Akiruno shi tokyo
11-19-2006

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i took a 50cc 4 wheeler on the touge

oh yeah

but mine is wayyyyy cooler

if your retarded enough, to come in and hate on ana rticle, explaining to people who have NO CLUE what this **** is, then go for it
its not for you, its not for me, its for hte newbs.

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