Bent front control arm, options?

[Dkfrs]

I’ve got a bent front right control arm and was trying to look for different options. I figured if I am replacing it, might as well upgrade to something with better bushings.

I see a few brands such as buddy club, racer x, and Megan but not finding a lot of information on this topic. Do most keep the OEM?

Any advice would be appreciated. I do track my car 4-6 times a year and also daily drive it.

[DarkPira7e]

Buddy club comes with their own bushings installed. For an OEM+ setup I think theyre perfect

[Stomachbuzz]

In my completely uneducated, inexperienced opinion on OEM vs aftermarket control arms...
I would think the OEM ones are perfectly fine structurally, but you need aftermarket control arms for adjustability (correcting the alignment geometry) when lowering the car or wanting a certain type of alignment that the stock CAs don't allow.

If your suspension geometry isn't modified, I might recommend getting an OEM control arm and pressing in the bushings of your choosing

[venturaII]

Originally Posted by Stomachbuzz

you need aftermarket control arms for adjustability (correcting the alignment geometry) when lowering the car or wanting a certain type of alignment that the stock CAs don't allow.

100% incorrect. Control arms are not involved when aligning the front of the car.

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by venturaII

100% incorrect. Control arms are not involved when aligning the front of the car.

wut, yes people do buy aftermarket lower control arms for the front for camber and caster adjustments, the fancy ones also adjust roll centers and anti-dive and in conjunction with a camber plate can be used to adjust track width.

https://www.splparts.com/products/fr...-brz-ft86.html

But that's totally unnecessary for 99.9% of people and I'd suggest OP find some OEM replacements, they'll be cheaper and last longer than the aftermarket ones. Rockauto usually has secondary suppliers if you don't want to pay OE prices for a minor hit to quality.
It's not like the Honda world where the OE arms are hard to find and expensive and it's easier to just grab the cheapo ebay parts and replace them every three or four years if they keep the car that long.

[Stomachbuzz]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

wut, yes people do buy aftermarket lower control arms for the front for camber and caster adjustments, the fancy ones also adjust roll centers and anti-dive and in conjunction with a camber plate can be used to adjust track width.

https://www.splparts.com/products/fr...-brz-ft86.html

But that's totally unnecessary for 99.9% of people and I'd suggest OP find some OEM replacements, they'll be cheaper and last longer than the aftermarket ones. Rockauto usually has secondary suppliers if you don't want to pay OE prices for a minor hit to quality.
It's not like the Honda world where the OE arms are hard to find and expensive and it's easier to just grab the cheapo ebay parts and replace them every three or four years if they keep the car that long.

Yeah, confused me as well.
Hard to understand how a person could think that the most prominent member of your suspension geometry has no effect on the suspension geometry...

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by Stomachbuzz

Yeah, confused me as well.
Hard to understand how a person could think that the most prominent member of your suspension geometry has no effect on the suspension geometry...

fwiw camber plates+bolts are all that's necessary for a quality alignment on this car. Some people can even get away with just a few camber bolts if they're not trying to go past -3° camber.

[venturaII]

Originally Posted by Stomachbuzz

Yeah, confused me as well.
Hard to understand how a person could think that the most prominent member of your suspension geometry has no effect on the suspension geometry...

Go ahead and buy more race parts then. Make sure to post about why you can't figure out why your car is even more f-ed up than before.

[venturaII]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

fwiw camber plates+bolts are all that's necessary for a quality alignment on this car. Some people can even get away with just a few camber bolts if they're not trying to go past -3° camber.

Exactly. But there's always someone who thinks they can make a better mousetrap. And a MacPherson strut front end is pretty much on par with a mousetrap as far as sophistication goes...

[Captain Snooze]

Originally Posted by venturaII

And a MacPherson strut front end is pretty much on par with a mousetrap as far as sophistication goes...

BC Racing



Tein Flex Z



Öhlins

[strat61caster]

Having been in all three, they're all the first picture.

[Captain Snooze]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

Having been in all three, they're all the first picture.

You've been in all three mouse traps?

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by Captain Snooze

You've been in all three mouse traps?

Yes, save your money and get an exterminator the first time.

[venturaII]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

Yes, save your money and get an exterminator the first time.

Exterminator = Someone who knows what they're doing