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-   -   DIY: Whiteline Roll Center Adjustment Kit Install (https://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=48718)

RallySport Direct 10-09-2013 05:42 PM

DIY: Whiteline Roll Center Adjustment Kit Install
 
http://theattack.rallysportdirect.co...4/BRZForum.jpg
http://www.rallysportdirect.com/cata...ca435_1_lg.jpg


We took our employee’s 2013 BRZ out to the shop to install the Whiteline Front Roll Center Adjustment Kit for the 2013-2014 Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ. So we looked online to find the installation instructions and decided we would make a fairly comprehensive write-up for you!

Going into this, pressing the ball joint out and back in seemed a little difficult, but once we got started, they pressed right out, and right back in. Guess that’s the beauty of having a new car to work on  . Before we get started let’s see what Whiteline has to say about this product:

Roll Center Kit incorporates 2 steering arm tie rod ends and 2 ball joints and is designed to raise front roll-center geometry after lowering the vehicle and also improve on the original bump-steer geometry. Changing front suspension geometry by raising roll-center, results in substantial increase to roll resistance and significant reduction of suspension compression of outside front wheel during cornering through improved weight transfer distribution. Whilst bump steer correction via extended tie rods aids in minimizing steering angle input during suspension articulation.
So we looked around the shop and found that the only thing we didn’t have was the press kit to press the ball joints out. So every other tool we needed was just laying around to make it easy on us. Here’s what we ended up using.

Keep in mind; you will have to get your car off the ground, securely on jack stands and front tires/wheels off the car to do this installation.

1) ½ in drive ratchet
2) Extensions
3) 17mm, 19mm sockets
4) Vice grips (for that pesky cotter pin removal)
5) Needle nosed pliers
6) Flat tip screw driver (small)
7) Drill with 10mm driver and 12mm driver (for removal of under tray)
8) Pickle fork
9) Hammer
10) Impact (not necessary, but makes things easier)
Here’s a picture of most of the tools we used. We didn’t use the pry bar, but it made it into the picture somehow.

http://rallysportdirect.smugmug.com/...O/IMG_0154.jpg

Ok, now we’re getting somewhere. Since we didn’t have the press toll required to press out the bushings, we ran down to Autozone and grabbed one of these, it worked great!

http://rallysportdirect.smugmug.com/...IMG_0122-L.jpg
http://rallysportdirect.smugmug.com/...O/IMG_0123.jpg

Now that we have all of the necessary tools, let’s get started. First thing we need to take off is the under tray of the car to gain access to the bolts to take the lower control arm off. It’s simply 8 12mm bolts, 4 10mm bolts and 6 plastic clips and it comes right off. Be careful as it might just fall off when you get the last bolt loose.

http://rallysportdirect.smugmug.com/...O/IMG_0093.jpg
To get the clips off, simply slide a small flat tip screwdriver in the head and pop it out and it should slide right out.

http://rallysportdirect.smugmug.com/...O/IMG_0100.jpg
There are five nuts/bolts that need to come off to get the lower control arm out. Some are 19mm and some are 17mm you see which is which once you get started. Here’s a shot of the control arm from below that shows you roughly where they are.

http://rallysportdirect.smugmug.com/...O/IMG_0096.jpg

Bend the cotter pin as such that it slides out from the hole.
http://rallysportdirect.smugmug.com/...O/IMG_0102.jpg
Now take the castle nut off.
http://rallysportdirect.smugmug.com/...O/IMG_0104.jpg

Now that the nut is loose, just tap the top of the ball joint being careful not to damage the threads, and it should pop right out.

http://rallysportdirect.smugmug.com/...O/IMG_0105.jpg

Now we can move to the front of the car and undo the bolt and nut that holds the front/lower control arm bushing in place.

http://rallysportdirect.smugmug.com/...O/IMG_0109.jpg
http://rallysportdirect.smugmug.com/...O/IMG_0110.jpg

Pull the pin out of the ball joint that connects to the hub spindle.

http://rallysportdirect.smugmug.com/...O/IMG_0112.jpg
Then, simply break the nut loose and thread it off.

http://rallysportdirect.smugmug.com/...O/IMG_0113.jpg

Now take your pickle fork and spread the ball joint loose. This shouldn’t take a whole lot of effort.

http://rallysportdirect.smugmug.com/...O/IMG_0115.jpg

Now we can move on to the rear bolt/nut. Just get a ratchet on one end and wrench on the other and it should come right out.

http://rallysportdirect.smugmug.com/...O/IMG_0114.jpg

We loosened the tie rod end locking nut while it was still installed because it will be a lot easier to to it on the car, than trying to hold it while doing it off the car

http://rallysportdirect.smugmug.com/...O/IMG_0097.jpg

http://rallysportdirect.smugmug.com/...IMG_0098-L.jpg

We took our sharpie to mark the threads on the tie rod to make sure we got as close as we could to factory specifications when reinstalling the new tie rod ends.

http://rallysportdirect.smugmug.com/...IMG_0103-L.jpg

Now that we have it loose, let’s go ahead and pull it out. The whole assembly is now ready to come out of the car.

http://rallysportdirect.smugmug.com/...O/IMG_0116.jpg

Just wiggle it a little bit and it will come right out.

http://rallysportdirect.smugmug.com/...O/IMG_0117.jpg

Then we threaded the tie rod ends off and grabbed out new Whiteline replacements! Man, they look good. You can definitely see the height difference from stock to these replacements. That’s what it’s all about!

http://rallysportdirect.smugmug.com/...O/IMG_0106.jpg

http://rallysportdirect.smugmug.com/...O/IMG_0107.jpg

Installation of these is extremely simple, just thread them back on the tie rod in place of the stockers keeping in mind the marks you made on your threads to line them up as close to factory specs as possible.

http://rallysportdirect.smugmug.com/...O/IMG_0108.jpg
Phew, now the fun part begins

http://rallysportdirect.smugmug.com/...O/IMG_0118.jpg

First thing you need to do before removing the factory ball joints is getting the dust boot off. Just take a flat tip screw driver and work your way around the boot prying upward and it will come off. There will be quite a bit of grease when you get it off, just wipe it off with a rag.

http://rallysportdirect.smugmug.com/...O/IMG_0121.jpg

After that’s done, we can take the ball joint tool out of our press kit and press the old one out, we had the #2 sleeve on the bottom with the ball joint tool and the #3 sleeve on the top to press it out. It worked pretty slick. It seemed like it wasn’t going to work at first, but it slowly worked right out. Be patient here.

http://rallysportdirect.smugmug.com/...O/IMG_0131.jpg

Now that we have the old one out of the way, let’s press the new one in. this is VERY simple; pull it through from the bottom like this

http://rallysportdirect.smugmug.com/...O/IMG_0132.jpg

Now put the #2 sleeve on the bolt side and press it in straight on the ball joint itself. Be sure to press it all the way in, there shouldn’t be any gap

http://rallysportdirect.smugmug.com/...O/IMG_0134.jpg

Here we are placing the assembly back onto the car. It seemed to be easiest to slide the forward most bushing in place first, and then slide the rear one in, then work on the ball joint into the spindle.

http://rallysportdirect.smugmug.com/...O/IMG_0144.jpg

Line up the hole in the rear of the control arm and slide the bolt in and thread the nut. Don’t tighten it down just yet.

http://rallysportdirect.smugmug.com/...O/IMG_0145.jpg

Take your front bolt/nut/plate and replace them in the front position, keep these loose as well (for now)

http://rallysportdirect.smugmug.com/...O/IMG_0146.jpg

Then slide the ball joint into the hub assembly might be slightly tricky, but it will slide in.

http://rallysportdirect.smugmug.com/...O/IMG_0147.jpg

Place the tie rod end in the rear of the spindle.

http://rallysportdirect.smugmug.com/...O/IMG_0148.jpg

Thread on all respective nuts and tighten them to factory specifications.

http://rallysportdirect.smugmug.com/...O/IMG_0150.jpg

http://rallysportdirect.smugmug.com/...O/IMG_0152.jpg

You can replace the under tray and you’re ready to go! That wasn’t so bad, was it? Now you can enjoy the benefits of having the Front Roll Center Adjustment Kit installed! Get your car on the track and experience the difference this product makes in handling!


For more information on the Whiteline Roll Center Kit, please click here!
http://www.rallysportdirect.com/cata...ca435_1_sd.jpg


Thanks,
Corby

*KID* 10-14-2013 02:05 PM

sweet.

Awaiting for review.

RallySport Direct 10-15-2013 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by *KID* (Post 1269389)
sweet.

Awaiting for review.


I will bug him about it :)

rainmonkey 10-27-2013 09:25 PM

this might be a silly question but when you lower the car, it changes the roll center. This kit raises the roll center right? But how do you adjust to make it 'correct'? I mean it can't just be a one size fits all can it?

I don't know much about suspension stuff and I'm trying to learn, but this really confuses me. Just installing the kit - how does it 'know' what level to go to?

Thanks!

RallySport Direct 10-28-2013 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rainmonkey (Post 1297010)
this might be a silly question but when you lower the car, it changes the roll center. This kit raises the roll center right? But how do you adjust to make it 'correct'? I mean it can't just be a one size fits all can it?

I don't know much about suspension stuff and I'm trying to learn, but this really confuses me. Just installing the kit - how does it 'know' what level to go to?

Thanks!

No, this is a fantastic question. And you are right to think what would be the "correct" location, as this is more or less a one size fits all type of part. So it will not bring each car back to perfect geometry, but it will help all lowered cars get closer to where they should be. So it may not make it perfect, but it will still be much better than where it was before.

Let me know if you have any questions. :)
Thanks,
Rick

rainmonkey 10-28-2013 12:47 PM

In that case, if you didn't lower the car TOO much, don't you run the risk of making the roll center HIGHER than it originally was (pre-lower)?

RallySport Direct 10-28-2013 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rainmonkey (Post 1297984)
In that case, if you didn't lower the car TOO much, don't you run the risk of making the roll center HIGHER than it originally was (pre-lower)?

This is correct, I don't think there would be any advantage to running these on a stock height car. Ideally you would only want to use these if the car is lowered, other than that I would stick with stock geometry parts. :)

Thanks,
Rick

Deathkaos 01-16-2014 02:00 PM

Hello
Will I need a wheel alignment after installation by any chance? Sorry if this is a stupid question.
Thanks

RallySport Direct 01-16-2014 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deathkaos (Post 1455828)
Hello
Will I need a wheel alignment after installation by any chance? Sorry if this is a stupid question.
Thanks

Oh yes :) This will have a big impact on the Toe settings so an alignment would be required after the install.

Thanks!
Rick

PoorMansRacing 01-16-2014 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RallySport Direct (Post 1298725)
Ideally you would only want to use these if the car is lowered

What if the car is only lowered by 20mm?

RallySport Direct 01-16-2014 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BRZTimeTrials (Post 1455995)
What if the car is only lowered by 20mm?

20mm would be right at that point where I would say you could use the kit and you may still notice an improvement, but I would not say it is required in any way. Anything more than 20mm and I would recommend these for sure!

Hope this helps.
Thanks,
Rick

Andreas83 02-25-2014 02:04 PM

Will clearance between wheel barrel and tie rod be smaller or larger with this kit installed?
Some people are having issues with rubbing when combining wide wheels with high offset.
I am considering 17x9et45 rpf1 on my brz, I know that they will rub slightly on the tie rods.

RallySport Direct 02-25-2014 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andreas83 (Post 1556015)
Will clearance between wheel barrel and tie rod be smaller or larger with this kit installed?
Some people are having issues with rubbing when combining wide wheels with high offset.
I am considering 17x9et45 rpf1 on my brz, I know that they will rub slightly on the tie rods.

There will be slightly less clearance between the barrel of the wheel and the bottom of the Tie Rod with these lower tie rods. I know people had issues with those wheels rubbing on the stock tie rods, so I would be careful running these with that wheel setup. Always best to check clearance's at full lock before driving the car.

Thanks,
Rick

Zach3794 02-25-2014 02:53 PM

What I wanna know is how much these raise the roll center by exactly. For those of us that may have coilovers and care, but don't want to shell out cash for completely custom arms, we can adjust our height to compliment these roll center adjusters perfectly :)

OmarYasin 06-04-2015 01:38 AM

1 Attachment(s)
These were good for about 2 days of dd 10miles a dayAttachment 111332
Installed by a professional shop. When car was on the lift i did not see any tears.

hmong337 06-04-2015 08:37 AM

Subbed

twag4 10-05-2016 05:28 PM

If anyone is interested: I know whiteline discontinued these, but there are still some available. I had the same problem with my kit. After being installed for around 6 months, one of the ball joint boots was torn, and the other, as well as the two tie rod ends were about to tear. In Oder to get them replaced, or get my money back, I was going to have to pull them all off, send them back, wait for a determination, and then get a replacement set or a credit. Meanwhile, put stock stuff back on and pay for re-alignment. No thanks. I found this website http://dustboots.eu/catalogs/ball-jo...boots-size.htm. When I measured the stock boots from my Oem parts, then found the closest fit on that website, it took me to an eBay vendor. I ordered these two: http://www.ebay.com/itm/161717483491...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT, and http://www.ebay.com/itm/161802538801...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT. I have them on now, they are polyurethane, and much tougher than the whiteline dustboots. They are slightly larger, which is what I believe was the problem with whiteline ball joint boots- too small. There was zero contamination in the one with the torn boot, as I believe I caught it in time. Anyway, buys me some time to get some better roll center ball joints. BTW, I love the whole of all my suspension mods. These fixed the vagueness I felt in the steering when I lowered my car.

FrostedFlakes 10-05-2016 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twag4 (Post 2768840)
If anyone is interested: I know whiteline discontinued these, but there are still some available. I had the same problem with my kit. After being installed for around 6 months, one of the ball joint boots was torn, and the other, as well as the two tie rod ends were about to tear. In Oder to get them replaced, or get my money back, I was going to have to pull them all off, send them back, wait for a determination, and then get a replacement set or a credit. Meanwhile, put stock stuff back on and pay for re-alignment. No thanks. I found this website http://dustboots.eu/catalogs/ball-jo...boots-size.htm. When I measured the stock boots from my Oem parts, then found the closest fit on that website, it took me to an eBay vendor. I ordered these two: http://www.ebay.com/itm/161717483491...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT, and http://www.ebay.com/itm/161802538801...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT. I have them on now, they are polyurethane, and much tougher than the whiteline dustboots. They are slightly larger, which is what I believe was the problem with whiteline ball joint boots- too small. There was zero contamination in the one with the torn boot, as I believe I caught it in time. Anyway, buys me some time to get some better roll center ball joints. BTW, I love the whole of all my suspension mods. These fixed the vagueness I felt in the steering when I lowered my car.

Just out of curiosity which one of the boots goes to which ball joint? I think the poly urethane boots should hold up for a long time. It wasn't the ball joints that were the issue but from your picture the boots tore easily. I assume everything should be OK now that the boots have been replaced?

Thanks.

twag4 10-05-2016 08:42 PM

The bigger one I used on the ball joint, smaller on the tie rod. I ordered several sizes, but these worked. They don't have the exact sizes that I measured. I even reused the metal retainers on the new boots. The top one on the ball joint I had to spread a little using needle nose pliers. I placed the metal ring on the outside of the pliers jaws, then spread it open. Once installed, I crushed it back on with channel locks.

Astroboy 03-24-2017 12:27 PM

Swapping my end rods tonight after my exam :(


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lazyluka 07-02-2017 04:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twag4 (Post 2768986)
The bigger one I used on the ball joint, smaller on the tie rod. I ordered several sizes, but these worked. They don't have the exact sizes that I measured. I even reused the metal retainers on the new boots. The top one on the ball joint I had to spread a little using needle nose pliers. I placed the metal ring on the outside of the pliers jaws, then spread it open. Once installed, I crushed it back on with channel locks.

Thanks.

Just installed mine today, went straight for the polyboots you ordered.

Looking at the Whiteline ones I took off you could almost say they are identical on both the tie rod and the LCA. But decided to follow your advice.

For anyone else reading:
What I did with the big dust boot however is install the top retainer while the dust boot was off, then slid it on to the ball joint. Found it a lot easier this way and I could crush it closed a lot better.

TRAKRAVN 02-12-2019 09:30 PM

Have these other dust boots been holding up well? I have a set of these and I’m most likely going to change the boots before installing them in the first place.

twag4 03-20-2019 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TRAKRAVN (Post 3185367)
Have these other dust boots been holding up well? I have a set of these and I’m most likely going to change the boots before installing them in the first place.

Yes, still good

smg1138 03-26-2019 02:47 PM

Whiteline recently released a revised version of this kit. I'm assuming the new ones don't have the tearing problem with the dust boots. Can anyone confirm?

Exrald 05-27-2020 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zach3794 (Post 1556146)
What I wanna know is how much these raise the roll center by exactly. For those of us that may have coilovers and care, but don't want to shell out cash for completely custom arms, we can adjust our height to compliment these roll center adjusters perfectly :)

I'm wondering about this too...

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NoHaveMSG 05-27-2020 02:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Exrald (Post 3335280)
I'm wondering about this too...

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It looks like it was around 4-6mm, I didn't measure. I am sure they would tell you if you contacted them and asked.

Exrald 05-27-2020 05:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoHaveMSG (Post 3335305)
It looks like it was around 4-6mm, I didn't measure. I am sure they would tell you if you contacted them and asked.

Thank you! I'm gonna lower the car a bit tomorrow. I'm going to have it professionally installed.

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StraightOuttaCanadaEh 05-27-2020 07:21 AM

Also wondering as I’m quite interested in this


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