Camaro Firebird Lower Control Arm
Founders Performance Performance Lower Control Arms 3 Piece Poly Joint 1982-2002 Chevrolet Camaro or Pontiac Firebird. The control arm bushings found in the F-Body automobiles can have a significant impact on the vehicle’s ride, comfort, handling, acceleration, noise and vibration. When the car leans (i.e., rolls) in a turn, one side of the chassis moves upward relative to the rear axle, the other side moves downward, and the control arms must twist to allow for the axle to articulate. This causes the control arm bushings to bind. If this bind becomes excessive, it will raise the rear wheel rate and produce sudden, uncontrolled, undesirable changes in handling (e.g., snap oversteer).
Chevrolet minimizes this suspension bind by using compliant rubber bushings in both lower control arms. These relatively “soft” bushings help accommodate the necessary motion of the control arms during body roll. However, the rubber bushings do not provide much in the way of forward and aft support, which can cause wheel hop during hard acceleration and braking.
It has become common practice to replace the stock rubber control arm bushings with solid or two piece polyurethane bushings to resolve the shortcomings of the soft rubber bushings. Hard polyurethane bushings eliminate wheel hop, reduce axle deflection, and improve rear straight line grip. However, the downside of common aftermarket bushings such as delrin, steel, stiffer rubber, solid or two piece polyurethane bushings is they prevent the necessary movement of the control arms during body roll, which in turn produces significant binding in the suspension when the vehicle is cornering. The polyurethane bushings also place unnecessary high stresses on the torque boxes, which are the attachment points for the control arms to the chassis. Standard aftermarket control arms do not allow for rotation of the control arm during cornering because of the stiffness of the bushings.
The Solution:
We have designed and built a tubular lower control arm which will eliminate the unwanted uncontrolled control arm flex. Round tubing is harder to work with but has many other advantages over square or rectangular tubing. It is stronger in bending, torsion, and also lighter than square or rectangular tubing.
We then solved the shortcomings of the factory rubber and other aftermarket polyurethane and stiffer rubber bushings. This was accomplished this with our 3 piece Poly-Joint bushing combination. By spending countless hours looking and dissecting the geometry and the need of the rear suspension we come out with bind-free bushings set up. Our Poly-Joint bushing combination incorporates a very hard inner polyurethane ball which is surrounded by soft outer socket cups. This combination allows the bushing to articulate like a spherical bearing during cornering but the hard inner ball does not allow the bushing to deflect during acceleration giving you great traction during acceleration like solid bushings but remains bind free like a spherical bearing during cornering for great predictable traction in the corners.
The Testing:
We built a fixture which simulated a factory control arm mounting and tested how much force was needed to make the control arm articulate (twist) in those mounts and the results where astounding.
Poly-Joint Bushings:
- 5 degrees of total rotation = 26.1 foot/pounds of torque
- 7.5 degrees of total rotation = 35.8 foot/pounds of torque
- 10 degrees of total rotation = 41.7 foot/pounds of torque
Standard 2 piece setup using only 85 durometer bushings:
- 5 degrees of total rotation = 124.7 foot/pounds of torque
- 7.5 degrees of total rotation = 156.4 foot/pounds of torque
- 10 degrees of total rotation = not measurable with fixture. The 1/2″ grade 8 bolt twisted in half at 9.2 degrees which was 210 foot/pounds of torque.
THESE ARMS ARE SUPPLIED WITH SPECIALLY DESIGNED GREASE FOR OUR POLY-JOINT BUSHINGS.
Camaro Firebird Lower Control Arm Features:
- 1.75″ Diameter High Strength Steel Tubing
- High frequency pulse spray welded for superior strength (stronger than tig welds)
- 3 Piece Poly-Joint bushing on chassis and axle side.
- Comes standard with specially formulated poly grease.
- Standard Red or Black powder coating for a great looking long lasting finish.
- Improves responsiveness and control.
- 100% MADE IN THE USA
Fits: 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 Camaro and Firebird
For questions on this item please email us directly at salesdept@foundersperformance.com
| Weight | 11 lbs |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 22 × 2 × 2 in |
15 reviews for Camaro Firebird Lower Control Arm
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Anonymous –
I’ve been running on these control arms for over a week now and I’m damn pleased with the purchase. I shot the guys a call to ask a few questions, which was promptly picked up and answered, then went online and placed my order. Despite being on opposite sides of the country, shipping was quick.
Installation was dumb simple and they fit like they came on my Camaro from the factory. Considering these weren’t much more than replacing my worn bushings, it was a no brainer.
The rear is very stable and planted. I haven’t noticed any increased harshness in the ride either.
I will say that you need to follow the greasing instructions to the letter or you will not be able to get the bushings seated properly. I also reused my factory hardware with no issues.
Great guys. Great product. Great prices. Great results.
Do it.
Woody –
Great customer service, great product.
The rear end pulls and launches strait combined with a panhard bar rear end very stabile even in the twisties. No More Wheel Hop.
thanks for an affordable great product
now come out with a torque arm so I can buy it.
Mike Gomez, Manila, Philippines –
I bought these and an adjustable panhard bar. The workmanship is impeccable. I would not hesitate to buy any other Founders Performance component for my Firebird.
The service is also out of this world. These guys bend over backward to make sure you get what you want and need.
Anonymous –
For the same setup from another leading supplier, it would cost about $350 + tax. I don’t think those other ones would perform as well as these, but I can’t say from experience.
What I notice immediately is that the car is more firmly planted as I accelerate out of a turn/corner. I highly recommend these over the stock ones, and for the price, just try it.
Alex T –
These are very well made and given the build quality are certainly the best F-Body LCA on the market for the price
Dustin H. –
I originally installed the Founder’s LCA poly\rod combo prior to my ’98 T\A being my daily driver. Another quality piece but once I started driving it everyday, noisier than I wanted. Maybe I am just getting older but I installed these 3 piece poly LCA’s and nothing short of amazing! Price is right and they do there job very well with no noise! Highly recommend anything from Founder’s they do not leave you wanting more!
sean –
Never installed lower control arms before but took two hours to do and bushings were tight. No defects in The material plenty of lube for the bushings. Workmanship of the tubular control arms were nicely done.my car defiantly hooks better. Cured my wheel hop, I will be coming back to founders performance for my other suspension upgrades
Anonymous –
these things were mean looking , fit like a tight glove and no way to grease but don’t think there will be any problem there, came with very good quailty grease for installation
Thomas Wilheit –
The install was a little hard, but only a little. Great, strong components and I feel the mobility of the poly-joint helps keep me planted at the auto-cross… granted I have no real-actual proof of that. I brag on you parts to whoever will listen. Keep up the great ideas and the great craftsmanship.
Cody –
Very nice powdercoat.
Very sturdy and strong, excellent welds.
Definitely improvement over stock LCA’s.
Anonymous –
Ordered the 3 piece arms and lower control arm relocation brackets with hardware.
Products look great, are very strong and were easy enough to fit. If you get the hardware note that there are 2 different size of bolts- the longer ones are used on the bracket side (axle side). Wish I’d known that lol as it would have saved me a bit of time. Great, great value and top quality product. Very helpful aftersales too
Anonymous –
91 Formula 350. Already a trophy winner at Leb. Valley Dragway on dry old BFG radials.
Just installed LCA Brackets and Arms. WOW! Noticable difference in launch and handling on street. Can’t wait to see the measured difference in my 60′ times at the track. Excellent fit, easy install. Time to go do a little “fishing”…
Anonymous –
Nice smooth operation, and quiet on-road (as quiet as solid rubber bushings in stock LCA). Installation was moderate due to good tight fit. But this was eased by slightly (1/8″) spreading chassis mounting flanges first. Tightening fasteners returns flanges to proper spacing. No problem. And excellent quality.
Travis (verified owner) –
Great product, opted for the poly-joint after hearing about poly bushings “binding”. Haven’t done any corner carving yet, but in a straight line the rear does feel much more straight and confident. Slightly rougher ride than stock.
Follow the greasing directions closely, if you don’t seat the bushings 100% proper, it will be more than a tight fit. I pressed both arms into the car using my floor jack, because I did not seat the bushings exactly right.
Terry (verified owner) –
Very good product; at least at good as BMR and Global West products. Delivery was on time. Price was great. Be prepare to spend some getting the center bushing in the arm; it is very tight which is a good thing. Launches as good as Global West arms with spherical bushing and as quite as stock. Highly recommend this product and strut brace! FIVE STARS!