clearance upper control arm

Discussion in 'Technical' started by flynbrd, May 31, 2011.

  1. flynbrd

    flynbrd Member

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    Would there be any harm in putting a small dimple into the top of the upper control above the ball joint. The dome above the ball joint strikes the rim lip and needs to be clearanced a bit.
     
  2. PaulS

    PaulS Member extrordiare

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    Any "dimple" on the outside is a raised bump on the inside - where the bearing is for the ball of the ball-joint. Just my opinion but I would say find your clrearance some place else.
     
  3. flynbrd

    flynbrd Member

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    actually its mostly dead space in there. The ball joint is no where near there. I'm running the shelby wedge drop kit so it looks something like this.

    [​IMG]
     
  4. blugene

    blugene Senior member Supporting Member

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    I don't think there would be any issues.. Hopefuly you don't need so much that it goes as far as the actual joint, then it would be for nothing.
     
  5. injectedmav

    injectedmav Member

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    You mainly need to be very careful to not crack the metal considering it's location, but I see no problems "clearancing" it slightly if you can achieve that while being careful not to weaken the UCA.
     
    Last edited: May 31, 2011
  6. flynbrd

    flynbrd Member

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    final thougt, can I just cut the top off right above mid point then weld it back into place upside down?
     
  7. injectedmav

    injectedmav Member

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    ...creating a cup instead of a bump? I don't think I would go that far. Keep in mind that the bump in the UCA is what hits the jounce bumper when the suspension bottoms out. If the wheel hits the arm there, wouldn't the wheel contact the spring tower shield and jounce bumper?

    How bad is it hitting the wheel?
     
  8. my70mav

    my70mav Member

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    My 17's hit right there before I put on spacers. You might be able to use 1/4 or so spacers and be fine. What wheels are you running?
     
  9. Ryan

    Ryan Ford Addict

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    I'd take out the Wedge so the arms wont hit the wheel. Do you really need the Wedge? How low did you drop the car to need it to corect the ball joint angle? You know the wedge itself ist going to lower the car right?
     
  10. injectedmav

    injectedmav Member

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    If the UCA pivot is dropped more than 1", you have to use the wedges. The wheel spacer suggestion may be your best and safest option. I looked at my old arms and I can see where a significant clearance problem would exist with a backspacing of more than 4" and anything less than an 18" rim.
     
  11. flynbrd

    flynbrd Member

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    yes I need the wedge. :( When I drilled for the drop I used my friends shebly drop template from total control. Only after I drilled the holes did I realize something was a miss. The total control template drops the uca by 1 1/3". I'm running 17x9 asf bullitt with 24 mm offset and the 1.5" space rubs against the rim when bottomed out. Right now there are no shocks in the car so the uca is resting on the frame.
     
  12. Ryan

    Ryan Ford Addict

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    I guess the good thing is that with the wedge you have plenty of room to dimple the hump before it hits the ball joint. I'd probably want to pound down the hump with the ball joint bolted in place to keep it from spreading out the control arm and making the ball joint holes not line up.
     

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