Hard rubber vs spherical on street use.
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Hard rubber vs spherical on street use.
Due to an unexpected breakage on one of my M FACTORY extended ball joints I find myself with the opportunity of upgrading some components on my front suspension on my 93 Si.
I am going to replace new extended balljoints ( probably HardRace or Buddy club.. haven't decided yet) and I am looking to also upgrade my front lower control arm bushings as well as my compliance bushings..
My indecision is that my car is a street car but might see some track circuit action in the future.
Will I benefit from spherical components or should I stick to hard rubber upgrades?(HardRace).
I was thinking on Hardrace hard rubber bushings on the front LCA with spherical compliance bushings and hardrace tie rod ends.
I am going to replace new extended balljoints ( probably HardRace or Buddy club.. haven't decided yet) and I am looking to also upgrade my front lower control arm bushings as well as my compliance bushings..
My indecision is that my car is a street car but might see some track circuit action in the future.
Will I benefit from spherical components or should I stick to hard rubber upgrades?(HardRace).
I was thinking on Hardrace hard rubber bushings on the front LCA with spherical compliance bushings and hardrace tie rod ends.
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Re: Hard rubber vs spherical on street use.
Unfortunately I bought the shell with them installed so I am not the original owner and I don't have receipts..
This was the carnage..
Due to the breakage the fork fell on the axle and the axle tore on the boot on the side closer to trtyranny so I gotta replace that axle too..
This was the carnage..
Due to the breakage the fork fell on the axle and the axle tore on the boot on the side closer to trtyranny so I gotta replace that axle too..
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Re: Hard rubber vs spherical on street use.
Ouch.
Properly designed sphericals seem to work fine for the street, as far as ride is concerned. But...most aren't booted. So...I imagine they wouldn't work that well if you're driving thru road salt or a lot of rain.
Hard rubber is probably a better "all rounder", with all things considered. Cost, longevity, comfort, etc. You give up some traction because of bushing bind...but...you only said occasional track use. Mostly street use.
Properly designed sphericals seem to work fine for the street, as far as ride is concerned. But...most aren't booted. So...I imagine they wouldn't work that well if you're driving thru road salt or a lot of rain.
Hard rubber is probably a better "all rounder", with all things considered. Cost, longevity, comfort, etc. You give up some traction because of bushing bind...but...you only said occasional track use. Mostly street use.
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Re: Hard rubber vs spherical on street use.
That spherical ball joint looks rough from the center on down, might have replaced the boot but didn't clean up the joint and put new grease. I have a feeling previous owner did alot of "tracking" on the road.
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Re: Hard rubber vs spherical on street use.
you might be rigjt... this car was previously used as a track time attack, ASR super Lap vehicle.. it was strictly track as when I bought it the inspection sticker was expired for like 4 years.
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Re: Hard rubber vs spherical on street use.
Well...answered the problem...rock hard abuse and no ***** given. Sold it off proclaiming badass parts to profit off of fucked up parts, the end.
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Re: Hard rubber vs spherical on street use.
I'd trust genuine Honda suspension/steering parts (like ball joints and tie rods) rather than aftermarket. Especially for track use.
I understand that the RCA provides roll stiffness and more suspension travel vs. height. I've never installed extended ball joints on my S2000 because I don't fully trust them. But...I'm a bit cautious.
I'm sure the hardrace parts are fine. But...there's no quality like Genuine Honda quality.
I understand that the RCA provides roll stiffness and more suspension travel vs. height. I've never installed extended ball joints on my S2000 because I don't fully trust them. But...I'm a bit cautious.
I'm sure the hardrace parts are fine. But...there's no quality like Genuine Honda quality.
#13
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Re: Hard rubber vs spherical on street use.
I have the HardRace extended lower ball joints and have not had issues with them on the track yet, 4 years, still going well. The car doesn't see much city driving unless it is to go fill up gas or a drive to get beer.
As for the spherical ball joint components, I didn't see a need for them. I'm still learning, and I couldn't justify the cost of them over the hardrace rubber poly bushings. I'd say, spend less on the components and save the funds for the instruction track time. HPDE track time is not cheap by any means compared to autocross.
As for the spherical ball joint components, I didn't see a need for them. I'm still learning, and I couldn't justify the cost of them over the hardrace rubber poly bushings. I'd say, spend less on the components and save the funds for the instruction track time. HPDE track time is not cheap by any means compared to autocross.
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Re: Hard rubber vs spherical on street use.
I have the HardRace extended lower ball joints and have not had issues with them on the track yet, 4 years, still going well. The car doesn't see much city driving unless it is to go fill up gas or a drive to get beer.
As for the spherical ball joint components, I didn't see a need for them. I'm still learning, and I couldn't justify the cost of them over the hardrace rubber poly bushings. I'd say, spend less on the components and save the funds for the instruction track time. HPDE track time is not cheap by any means compared to autocross.
As for the spherical ball joint components, I didn't see a need for them. I'm still learning, and I couldn't justify the cost of them over the hardrace rubber poly bushings. I'd say, spend less on the components and save the funds for the instruction track time. HPDE track time is not cheap by any means compared to autocross.
I think he's just maintaining the car. Not necessarily modding it for the sake of modding it.
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Re: Hard rubber vs spherical on street use.
What I meant is that you are getting the car in shape (maintaining) it, in order to do events and street drive it. Or am I off base?
#18
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Re: Hard rubber vs spherical on street use.
My point is made.. whether you were intending it for street purposes or track, I would definitely just save the funds for something else other than the spherical bushings.
#20
Re: Hard rubber vs spherical on street use.
Are you just looking at doing the front end?
Have you taken a look at replacing all of the factory bushings while your at?
Have PIC's kit in my civic, the difference was very impressive over the factory/poly bushings I had before.
Have you taken a look at replacing all of the factory bushings while your at?
Have PIC's kit in my civic, the difference was very impressive over the factory/poly bushings I had before.
#21
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Re: Hard rubber vs spherical on street use.
They wouldn't be a waste of money if I was at the peak of my driving skills and needed more hardware. I wouldn't consider myself an advanced driver yet, but I'm not a novice either.. I have some experience, but I just felt they were overkill for me and my wallet. The HardRace bushings have been doing very well so far.
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Re: Hard rubber vs spherical on street use.
Update..
Parts arrived and I started installing stuff.. I had to exchange my front swaybar endlink bushings as I discovered I have an GSR/ ITR bar so my endlink were incorrect..
Some of the parts were backordered so that's why it took long.
I did passenger side and installed the Hardrace front roll center adjusters as well as the K tuned front LCA. Luckily I had a spare B series axle in good condition so I slapped it in there...
So far..
Old vs new
After inspecting my outer tie rods I decided they're done as well so I ordered brand new OEM at the dealer and they should be ready tomorrow.
Now just gotta wait for my front endlinkendlink and tie rods and I'm done...
By just doing one side the steering feel was incredibly better and smoother so I can't wait to finish the other side and take it for a drive.
Parts arrived and I started installing stuff.. I had to exchange my front swaybar endlink bushings as I discovered I have an GSR/ ITR bar so my endlink were incorrect..
Some of the parts were backordered so that's why it took long.
I did passenger side and installed the Hardrace front roll center adjusters as well as the K tuned front LCA. Luckily I had a spare B series axle in good condition so I slapped it in there...
So far..
Old vs new
After inspecting my outer tie rods I decided they're done as well so I ordered brand new OEM at the dealer and they should be ready tomorrow.
Now just gotta wait for my front endlinkendlink and tie rods and I'm done...
By just doing one side the steering feel was incredibly better and smoother so I can't wait to finish the other side and take it for a drive.
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