Lets talk about aftermarket suspension parts

[RM1SepEx]

I just received an "update" package for my early kit (picked it up Aug 1, serial #17) and they sent me a pair of SPC adjustable arms for the rear transverse links, rubber bushings

Package said it was because the stock adj couldn't adj the toe enough. Don't know if it is just an early kit issue that they fixed or if it is a permenant change to the kits

DSCF0005.JPG

[C.Plavan]

I just received an "update" package for my early kit (picked it up Aug 1, serial #17) and they sent me a pair of SPC adjustable arms for the rear transverse links, rubber bushings

Package said it was because the stock adj couldn't adj the toe enough. Don't know if it is just an early kit issue that they fixed or if it is a permenant change to the kits

DSCF0005.JPG

Interesting. I hope they fix the chassis component since I have the SPT Pillow Ball/Spherical Bearing Lateral links coming now.

[Xusia]

Anyone who winds up with extra lateral links, let me know. Mine are TOTALLY shot and I need some.

[Wayne Presley]

Interesting. I hope they fix the chassis component since I have the SPT Pillow Ball/Spherical Bearing Lateral links coming now.

It's an early kit issue that is resolved on the current cars. It just shows FFR's commitment to make sure you get the best kit, even after the sale.

[Xusia]

That's good to hear, and actually what I thought. Although that should be the norm, it's definitely not and just goes to show I'm buying the right product from the right company.

[longislandwrx]

The smaller sway bars will probably be the way to go, the street car was a little loose with the splitter and no diffuser or spoiler. Add the spoiler and diffuser and the car had some understeer with the same front bar.

That was with a 17mm bar?

[tmoretta]

Good choice, the Cherry Blossom Pink looks good in real life. With the removable endlink mounts not installed you'll have a clean look. Plus you can sell them for a few bucks.

As far as I know they are steel.

You are smart to avoid the ebay stuff. bearings pull out, welds crack, steel turns to mush, etc etc.

I can get the trailing arms for $310 shipped. LMK if you paid much more.

If that is the set of 4 SPT lateral links for $310, please let me know how to order. Thanks

[C.Plavan]

If that is the set of 4 SPT lateral links for $310, please let me know how to order. Thanks

That's Trailing arms

[Mechie3]

I just received an "update" package for my early kit (picked it up Aug 1, serial #17) and they sent me a pair of SPC adjustable arms for the rear transverse links, rubber bushings

Package said it was because the stock adj couldn't adj the toe enough. Don't know if it is just an early kit issue that they fixed or if it is a permenant change to the kits

DSCF0005.JPG

Does this mean i cant use my aluminum links front and rear? was it an issue of not being able to zero out toe to limit tire wear?

[longislandwrx]

Does this mean i cant use my aluminum links front and rear? was it an issue of not being able to zero out toe to limit tire wear?

No they fixed the issue, moved the camber bolt. At least that's what FFR said if he understood my question.

Trailing arms are about $580 shipped. PM sent.

[longislandwrx]

ALSO. turn in concepts having a crazy sale today. If you are looking for bushings, today is the day to get them.

[C.Plavan]

No they fixed the issue, moved the camber bolt. At least that's what FFR said if he understood my question.

Trailing arms are about $580 shipped. PM sent.

You mean Lateral links, not trailing arms right?

I did just buy a few bushings for the rear knuckles from them.

[Mechie3]

No they fixed the issue, moved the camber bolt. At least that's what FFR said if he understood my question.

Trailing arms are about $580 shipped. PM sent.

My chassis is two numbers before his. If he has issues I probably do too.

[Wayne Presley]

My chassis is two numbers before his. If he has issues I probably do too.

I think the rear toe link affects chassis 7-33 but you would have to check with FFR for confirmation.

[longislandwrx]

You mean Lateral links, not trailing arms right?

yes sorry, I confused everyone including myself.

[RM1SepEx]

Does this mean i cant use my aluminum links front and rear? was it an issue of not being able to zero out toe to limit tire wear?

yes... I wish I hadn't sold my front aluminum links now, I have two sets of rear adjustable lateral links

Did you get your update box yet? They sent me shipping info when it shipped by FedX it arrived the next day since I'm in Maine. I was told it was to get the toe lined up, the eccentrics couldn't do it

[Mechie3]

I think I got it. Supposed to show up yesterday. Um in Nebraska. Wife didn't mention it specifically when I called her.

[pt00323i]

sorry I have to ask.

my 02 WRX sedan all 4 rear transvers arms are bent, so I bought a set of OEM AL front transverse arm from 05 WRX wagon, and a complete set of steel transvers arms.

Q1:
I notice the Al arm hole to hole dim is shorter than the steel ones. based on this tread this is not an issue due to updates from FFR

Q2:
I want to use the front transverse arm for the rear (without swaybar tabs) but I notice the holes are different, rear transverse arm both holes are 14mm, front trans are not, how are you guys using them?

just trying to obtain the right parts.

thanks

[Bob_n_Cincy]

sorry I have to ask.

my 02 WRX sedan all 4 rear transvers arms are bent, so I bought a set of OEM AL front transverse arm from 05 WRX wagon, and a complete set of steel transvers arms.

Q1:
I notice the Al arm hole to hole dim is shorter than the steel ones. based on this tread this is not an issue due to updates from FFR

Q2:
I want to use the front transverse arm for the rear (without swaybar tabs) but I notice the holes are different, rear transverse arm both holes are 14mm, front trans are not, how are you guys using them?

just trying to obtain the right parts.

thanks

I just went through this a couple of weeks ago as I used a wagon donor.
I believe the wagon arms are 10mm shorter each because the track width on the wagon is 20mm smaller than the sedan.
The inner hole on the rear bar is bigger because it uses a cam bolt to adjust toe angle.
You cannot mix OEM sedan and wagon arms because there is not enough toe adjustment.
The half shafts will work with either length.
The wagon arms will allow you a 10 mm wider tire.
Let me know if I got all your questions.
Bob

PS: I think they get bent by the coparts fork lifts.

[Mechie3]

I used aftermarket bushings so I pressed in the rear bushing set into the second pair of aluminum arms. I can't use the second set of aluminum arms because I have a low number chassis with not enough adjustment.

[Xusia]

I used aftermarket bushings so I pressed in the rear bushing set into the second pair of aluminum arms. I can't use the second set of aluminum arms because I have a low number chassis with not enough adjustment.

Would you consider selling them?

[Mechie3]

Yep. Just need to figure out an asking price and ask where the 818 specific FS forum is.

[Xusia]

Let me try that again...

Would you consider selling them to ME?

[Mechie3]

Lol. I don't care who buys them.

[longislandwrx]

I paid $60 for 2 aluminum links

[pt00323i]

I just went through this a couple of weeks ago as I used a wagon donor.
I believe the wagon arms are 10mm shorter each because the track width on the wagon is 20mm smaller than the sedan.
The inner hole on the rear bar is bigger because it uses a cam bolt to adjust toe angle.
You cannot mix OEM sedan and wagon arms because there is not enough toe adjustment.
The half shafts will work with either length.
The wagon arms will allow you a 10 mm wider tire.
Let me know if I got all your questions.
Bob

PS: I think they get bent by the coparts fork lifts.

got it, so if I want to keep the wagon Al front TArm I need to find another set, or sell this one and find a sedan ones. and to use front for the rear I need to just change the bushings.

my donor was hit on rear driver side and passenger side also got hit, but it doesn't look that bad, it was bent less on the pass side, yea it might be coparts.

thanks

[Mechie3]

I thought only sedans came with aluminum arms. Could be wrong.

[pt00323i]

I thought only sedans came with aluminum arms. Could be wrong.

I think AL front control arms are sedan only. the seller told me they are from a wrx wagon, good thing I can return them thru ebay

[DMC7492]

Hi Guys I am looking for Two Aluminum Lateral links. Are any left laying around? Thanks Don

[Scargo]

Does this make sense to anyone? It is from a Japanese TT car. Looks strong and stiff. Should I consider building it for my R?

[Slatt]

That's interesting. What do we call that? It's not plain old lateral links anymore.

We can't see the 3 attachment points to the chassis well enough to be sure, but they could be solid bearings rather than the usual squishy stuff. This design allows the wheel to move up and down freely without binding even if all bearings are the solid / spherical type. It's hurting my head a bit to look at it but I think I see very precisely controlled toe change under compression.

YOU should do this, I should not.

[Scargo]

The interesting part is how the lateral arms are now triangulated and creating a rigid assembly, then you have the "mini-link" at the end to give flexibility and toe adjustment. The adjustable Heim joints could be at either end, but I think it needs the flexing linkage at the end to allow some give to the semi-LCA/semi-lateral link assembly as the wheel swings through it's arc.
Again the question is what good does it do?

I'd bet, since it's a TT car that everything is a solid bushing or Heim joint.

[Rasmus]

Scargo, I've been staring and staring at that link setup and the many small changes in suspension and geometry. I determined only one thing: I need to see more photos. That mini-link is throwing me for a loop.

[Xusia]

I supposed if you wanted a cheap man's version of this you just weld on some triangulating members to the existing lateral links...

[longislandwrx]

That's some serious bracing... that turnbuckle gives them the toe adjustment as well as the ability to swing out to make removing the knuckles much easier

the rear has the sway bar mount so just the rod end into the steel. very cool.

[tmoretta]

I have an '02 rear bar. I would gladly trade it for an OEM 17 mm bar if anyone is interested.

[Ravendas]

Is anyone running ALK on their front LCAs? Since the suspension is set up differently from the stock WRX, I'm wondering how that affects the 818 geometry. I still have my old bushings, but I'd have to do some serious reconditioning on them since they're leaking (hence the replacement with ALK).

[Scargo]

Here's my take. I don't have my kit yet, but I think you need to think of it as "Daddy's seen to it". I would not be tweaking the suspension unless you know exactly where it's at as a completed, driveable unit. I don't think the suspension is suspect. It has proven otherwise. It's NOT a WRX.

Edit: What I'm trying to say is the car handles beautifully by all accounts and FFR has designed in all the geometry adjustments you need unless you start changing up things.
I find it interesting that the stock WRX KPI/SAI ( kingpin inclination) is about 15 degrees (and camber at less than 1 degree). This SAI seems huge to me and I see that the steering arm Ackerman is near 0. While Ackerman is fixed, FFR may have reduced the SAI dramatically.

[Scargo]

Scargo, I've been staring and staring at that link setup and the many small changes in suspension and geometry. I determined only one thing: I need to see more photos. That mini-link is throwing me for a loop.

I can't find anything more on it on the internet...
I'd say there are solid bushings on the inside. Again, what worries me is the wheel's arc (though a small change in arc length?) as it pivots from the trailing arm. Not sure if it would work at all if the two lateral arm (rods) were welded together completely, with no give.

[Slatt]

Are you sure this is a Subaru? My vague memory suggests it is not. Note the trailing arm attaches differently. Either way it looks like a strut suspension so whatever those guys were trying to accomplish is just irrelevant to the 818. Except the impressively solid look of it all.