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F-Body Road Racing and Autocross Forums _ General Discussion _ How do longer ball joints affect suspension geometry?

Posted by: notsonic Jul 10 2011, 01:52 AM

So this is slightly off topic as its for my fiero, but i see some third gen owners have brought up the topic, dunno about fourth gens, and I know this is the place that could answer a suspension question or two with a real answer.

A somewhat popular product for fieros are this guy's extended ball joints for the front that lower it about an 1" (also has a 1/2" version.)

http://rodneydickman.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=26_43&products_id=158

I'm debating these or lowering springs. Its not a race car, more or less a daily driver.

I'm wondering if these are better, worse, or no different to the suspension geometry and handling characteristics vs 1" drop springs.

Its also got me wondering, if they are better, then am I doing wrong by using lowering springs in my fourth gen?

paranoia.

Any input would be appreciated.

Posted by: Al weyman Jul 10 2011, 08:08 AM

I must admit I wondered this when I commented on a post about the Howe Joints. I have them on my 2nd gen uppers and can see how that works as it effectively alters the angle of the upper wishbone doing basically what the Guilstrade mod did without the hassle and in my case legal but I am confused how this helps on a third or forth gen McPherson strut set up apart from lowering the car slightly. But it wouldnt even do that if you have like I do on the 3rd gen, a coil over conversion.

Posted by: StanIROCZ Jul 10 2011, 02:23 PM

It lowers the car without changing the LCA angle.

If you lower with all spring your roll center gets very low and you loose camber gain and you run into travel limitations with the jounce bumper. Lowering with the ball joint is effectively like a drop spindle.

One negative is it will effect bump steer unless you lower the tie rod the same amount.

Posted by: Al weyman Jul 12 2011, 07:28 AM

Makes sense thanks. Funny enough I was playing with the front suspension on my 3rd gen last night with a view to cutting down the Spohn supplied front springs as I have no adjustment on one side coil over as its already on the minimum setting which means cornerweighting is a compromise and I did notice even at this how close the lower A-arm comes to the chassis , I think the bump stops have been talen off on the car but its 20 years ago since I first built it and it is purely a race car on smooth tracks