Spherical bearings on suspension

[FU]

Anyone have any luck using spherical bearings on the front and rear suspension with any luck ? They are supposed to give a "smother and more sophisticated ride". Also "free moving bushing, gives you a more compliant ride, without loosing any of the sports car handling"

With our stock bushing's starting to get worn loose and cracked, I was looking at these for a more modern route.

[A26B]

I have them on sway bar linkage, rear tie rod ends & camber braces. Definitely noticed a more positive handling feel and I like the idea of my rear camber being rigid instead of floating around in rubber. I didn't notice any adverse effects. I also have coil overs, poly bushings on the sway bar & front a-frames and about to install poly on the U & L Trailing links (dog bones).

[FU]

Video :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qgAXtVCauY&feature=c4-overview&list=UUE9Qh73-UBE8GmzaM8JlXVA

Link :

http://www.newmancarcreations.com/products/

The spherical bearings would be very useful with a coilover car IMO.

[Jagdpanzer]

Neweman has some of the best C4 Dana 44 upgrades around. Go for it Frank, lead the way.

[USAFPILOT]

that looks pretty cool

[WARP TEN]

I agree--the effortless movement of the rear suspension pieces in the video look like they should significantly improve the ride and handling. Has anyone used the Newman setup in the rear? - Bob

[tomtom72]

Isn't this the same concept?

http://www.banskimotorsports.com/C4_Rear_Suspensioin.html

or this from Dick Gulstrand?

http://www.guldstrand.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=65

I like that you high HP guys have a way to get a better center section. That's neat workmanship and the diff selection is sweet too.

:cheers:
Tom

[FU]

Banski Motorsports :
360. for 4 bones plus 220.00 for 2 camber rods. Fully adjustable.

http://www.banskimotorsports.com/images/rod_end_close_up_em5n.jpg

Guldstrand motorsport :
506.00 for each pair of bones . Fully adjustable
http://www.guldstrand.com/ProdImages/Heim-Jointed-Trailing-Links.jpg

Newman car Creations :
699.00 using your rear dog bones.Non adjustable.

http://www.newmancarcreations.com/images/products/thumb_IMG_Dog%20Bones.JPG

Newman front 860.00 (all 4 must be sent)

http://www.newmancarcreations.com/images/products/IMG_0069.JPG

Ballistic Fabrication :
480.00 for all bones. Must be welded in place.

http://www.ballisticfabrication.com/thumbnail.asp?file=assets/images/ballisticjoint/3inchbj.jpg&maxx=75&maxy=0

There is a jungle of these thing's we can get into. I just showed Newman for his product's. I had some of his D44 HD parts on the white car I used to own.

With our older suspension's needing attention in the future these may be a better alternative than rubber or poly bushing replacement.

[tomtom72]

Frank, I wasn't trying to be a wise guy. I was just thinking "where did I see the concept before?" and I searched my favorites because I just knew I had something like the Newman stuff.

I agree as my car's suspension stuff is getting way long in the tooth. I will just share this tid bit I got from a conversation with VB&P, because they offer the same Heim-joint equipment...."NO, not for street use!" was what they told me.

Now there are a couple of the WAZOO guys that did the Banski complete rear work up, even Daryl did his Z too, and they just opted for the banski stuff with the covers for all the joints to keep the dirt out. I would like to see if they have any thoughts as they have some miles on their set ups.

:cheers:
Tom

[FU]

No wise guy Tom. Good conversation great.
One of the reason's that Newman was brought into the picture ? Was because his stuff look's more for street duty than the other's. Plus there is a feast of aftermarket product's for our car's in all the link's that you posted. We all are going to have to be keeping our eye's open for these kind of improvement's as our car's age. And want to keep the newer car's wondering why we still are a threat.

[Shrek]

I installed Banski stuff on the wife's ZR-1 track car last year. I test fit all of the parts without the springs or shocks and manually moved them through their full range of motion. They moved amazingly smooth and effortlessly through their entire range of movement with no binding whatsoever. Car handled like it was on rails! But considering it was also done with coilovers, A-arms, and delrin bushings, I can't really say how much that one mod did for the handling.

My install threads

http://www.zr1.net/forum/showthread.php?t=16459

http://www.zr1.net/forum/showthread.php?t=16448

[tomtom72]

Thanks Frank for not thinking that I was being a contrary sob. :)

Yes, I agree that the Newman stuff looks more like OE components. Well sort of.

I worry about the longevity in "my" driving environment of any of this spherical stuff. NYC/metro/tri-state area is a rather 'rare' environment! I guess I just drive my car too much to call it a "hobby car", and too little to call it a DD. I was reminded how 'rare' when using the Bklyn bridge the other night to get to Bklyn. On the return trip the Battery Tunnel surface was just sublime! I was glad and then sad I was in my Cobalt and not the Z!

I do remember one of the guys that did the banski set up relating how pleased the alignment tech was at the ease of working the adjustment devices, which is a plus.

Mr. Shrek, check me on my understanding of suspension movement as it relates to chassis control. I think? Spherical joints allow for more compliance on bumps. I mean the OE rubber is like a rubber band? Poly actually rotates somewhat? The spherical joints have very little stored kinetic energy as a result of individual wheel movement because they allow smooth linear movement, the only resistance being the spring? Do I at least have some kind of grasp on this stuff?? TIA!

Hey Frank, will you be at Carlisle? I'll deliver Ron's package if you will be there as I'm coming down Saturday.

:cheers:
Tom