Found: Adjustable rear upper control arm
#101
I kicked them all to 35 psi (I didn't see your post until now) and it still wants to come around on me. At this point, with the miles it has on it, I'm inclined to just order lower and upper control arms. I have a picture of the cams on the rear suspension, I'll try to post them up. I sprayed everything down with pb blaster last night. It all seems to be easy to get at, so that's good.
#104
slxj, these are very similar to the ones that I bought (mine are black, these are silver)
Silver Adjustable Rear Suspension Camber Arm for 04 07MAZDA 3 5 S40 V50 Focus | eBay
Silver Adjustable Rear Suspension Camber Arm for 04 07MAZDA 3 5 S40 V50 Focus | eBay
#105
#106
#108
im trying this
hey guys..ive replaced the lower control arms only to find the camber off like everyone else..i could try replacing the upper arms with stock parts but like everyone else im afraid they might not pull the camber in enough due to sagging springs/and or other worn parts.so i ordered the volvo parts..im going to install them tonight..fingers crossed....theres double adjustment and like thermo said ive removed the outer locknut ..this wont cause any problems coming loose will it?
#110
dalippy, that will be fine as long as you tighten up the allen bolt. Worst case, you can add some large washers under the "nut" if you are worried about the "nut" screwing in on you. Or you can simply use a paint marker and put a match mark on the nut and the arm to see if it is walking in. If so, then you can tighten down on the locking allen a little more or add some washers under the nut to prevent it from going in any further.
#111
dalippy, that will be fine as long as you tighten up the allen bolt. Worst case, you can add some large washers under the "nut" if you are worried about the "nut" screwing in on you. Or you can simply use a paint marker and put a match mark on the nut and the arm to see if it is walking in. If so, then you can tighten down on the locking allen a little more or add some washers under the nut to prevent it from going in any further.
#112
#113
dalippy: The adjustable control arm works like a turnbuckle - the length adjusts not by turning the ends, but by turning the adjuster in the middle. The adjuster has two threads: one right-handed to tighten when turned clockwise (the traditional "righty tighty, lefty loosey"), the other left-handed to do the opposite - loosen when turned clockwise. So to adjust the length, you turn the adjuster in the middle, causing both threads to either lengthen or shorten at the same time, without turning the eyelets.
The adjustable control arm is similar. The adjuster has an inner and outer thread, one right-handed, the other left-handed. After it's installed, the ends can't turn because they're bolted to the subframe and wheel knuckle. Only the middle adjuster can turn, one way to lengthen both threads, the other way to shorten both. Your suggestion to weld one of the threads would prevent the adjuster from turning, effectively downgrading it to a fixed length control arm.
I understand your concern that the adjuster might turn on it's own. To prevent this, simply tighten the Allen bolt to lock it in place, and as Thermo suggests, add a few drops of locking compound on the threads.
These adjustable control arms have extended tire life thousands of miles for me and the many X-Typer's fortunate enough to find this forum and Thermo's brilliant solution. So give it a try - you won't be disappointed.
The adjustable control arm is similar. The adjuster has an inner and outer thread, one right-handed, the other left-handed. After it's installed, the ends can't turn because they're bolted to the subframe and wheel knuckle. Only the middle adjuster can turn, one way to lengthen both threads, the other way to shorten both. Your suggestion to weld one of the threads would prevent the adjuster from turning, effectively downgrading it to a fixed length control arm.
I understand your concern that the adjuster might turn on it's own. To prevent this, simply tighten the Allen bolt to lock it in place, and as Thermo suggests, add a few drops of locking compound on the threads.
These adjustable control arms have extended tire life thousands of miles for me and the many X-Typer's fortunate enough to find this forum and Thermo's brilliant solution. So give it a try - you won't be disappointed.
Last edited by dwclapp; 06-10-2015 at 06:24 AM.
#114
control arms
dalippy: The adjustable control arm works like a turnbuckle - the length adjusts not by turning the ends, but by turning the adjuster in the middle. The adjuster has two threads: one right-handed to tighten when turned clockwise (the traditional "righty tighty, lefty loosey"), the other left-handed to do the opposite - loosen when turned clockwise. So to adjust the length, you turn the adjuster in the middle, causing both threads to either lengthen or shorten at the same time, without turning the eyelets.
The adjustable control arm is similar. The adjuster has an inner and outer thread, one right-handed, the other left-handed. After it's installed, the ends can't turn because they're bolted to the subframe and wheel knuckle. Only the middle adjuster can turn, one way to lengthen both threads, the other way to shorten both. Your suggestion to weld one of the threads would prevent the adjuster from turning, effectively downgrading it to a fixed length control arm.
I understand your concern that the adjuster might turn on it's own. To prevent this, simply tighten the Allen bolt to lock it in place, and as Thermo suggests, add a few drops of locking compound on the threads.
These adjustable control arms have extended tire life thousands of miles for me and the many X-Typer's fortunate enough to find this forum and Thermo's brilliant solution. So give it a try - you won't be disappointed.
The adjustable control arm is similar. The adjuster has an inner and outer thread, one right-handed, the other left-handed. After it's installed, the ends can't turn because they're bolted to the subframe and wheel knuckle. Only the middle adjuster can turn, one way to lengthen both threads, the other way to shorten both. Your suggestion to weld one of the threads would prevent the adjuster from turning, effectively downgrading it to a fixed length control arm.
I understand your concern that the adjuster might turn on it's own. To prevent this, simply tighten the Allen bolt to lock it in place, and as Thermo suggests, add a few drops of locking compound on the threads.
These adjustable control arms have extended tire life thousands of miles for me and the many X-Typer's fortunate enough to find this forum and Thermo's brilliant solution. So give it a try - you won't be disappointed.
i think it will be saterday..if the weather holds..
thanks for the advice guys.
#115
#116
adjustable arms
did the job..sanded the ends of the bolts ..drownded them in penetrating fluid..they still didnt want to give up..they put up a fight every mm of the way..just like the front lower arms i did.
but sitting nice.ill get it all aligned soon.
sean_xtype . i ordered them from the states..cost 140 euro 100 -110pounds ish sterling.i hunted for hours on ebay the black ones seem to be cheaper than the fancy gold ones..
bite the bullet and order them sean..its going to be cheaper than tyres in the long run..i could see my tyres getting chewed up quick.
now on to my crank pulley job on saterday..have a new pulley, a belt and a new spring for the tensioner.ive fabricated a tool for the tensioner..ie;ive beat a piece of steel into the shape i need and put two bolts into the bottom.
thanks for your help lads
but sitting nice.ill get it all aligned soon.
sean_xtype . i ordered them from the states..cost 140 euro 100 -110pounds ish sterling.i hunted for hours on ebay the black ones seem to be cheaper than the fancy gold ones..
bite the bullet and order them sean..its going to be cheaper than tyres in the long run..i could see my tyres getting chewed up quick.
now on to my crank pulley job on saterday..have a new pulley, a belt and a new spring for the tensioner.ive fabricated a tool for the tensioner..ie;ive beat a piece of steel into the shape i need and put two bolts into the bottom.
thanks for your help lads
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X-type_Sean (06-28-2015)
#117
Thanks Dalippy, I will get them, I've seen the gold ones for £65 + £70 shipping. I have not found any better deal to date, I just wondered if it was just me being unlucky with searching or they're not available this side of the pond.
I'm currently doing the front drop links, headlight adjuster replacements, thermostat, boss seals, cam cover gaskets and sump gasket as well as doing some general tiding up (rubbing down and spraying) of the sub frame and underneath the engine, so they are on the to do list
I'm currently doing the front drop links, headlight adjuster replacements, thermostat, boss seals, cam cover gaskets and sump gasket as well as doing some general tiding up (rubbing down and spraying) of the sub frame and underneath the engine, so they are on the to do list
#118
Are these suitable for a 2002 X Type 3.0 AWD
04 13 Mazda 3 5 00 13 Focus 04 12 S40 V50 Rear Upper Suspension Camber Arm Toe | eBay
04 13 Mazda 3 5 00 13 Focus 04 12 S40 V50 Rear Upper Suspension Camber Arm Toe | eBay
#119
Also the ones near the top here are around £77 plus £39 postage
volvo s40 adjustable rear upper control arms | eBay
What is the difference between the Race Heim, Race H and standard?
Are they suitable for a 2002 X Type 3.0 AWD
volvo s40 adjustable rear upper control arms | eBay
What is the difference between the Race Heim, Race H and standard?
Are they suitable for a 2002 X Type 3.0 AWD
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X-type_Sean (06-28-2015)
#120
Heim joints, or rod ends, are spherical bearings used in place of rubber or polyurethane bushings. They have 0 play or "give" so they make for a "tighter" feeling suspension and better, more predictable handling. They do however create more noise and ride harshness since they do not "give" at all like rubber, or polyurethane to a lesser extent. although having only 2 (1 on each arm) won't make a huge difference in ride quality. Heim joints don't really wear out though, and if they do, they are cheap to replace, as you can buy just the threaded rod ends from many places.
Oh and yes, either of those will work.
Oh and yes, either of those will work.
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santer (06-26-2015)