2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992) 1986-1992 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections.
Sponsored by:

DIY rear individual camber links...?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 03-02-07, 12:16 AM
  #1  
Rotary Enthusiast

Thread Starter
 
skizzle84's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Posts: 954
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
DIY rear individual camber links...?

Unless I'm drastically mistaken, the stock camber links are several inches long, about an inch wide on the ends, and have sleeves pressed inside the rubber bushings on the ends. On the aftermarket individual rear camber links, such as AWR or Mazdatrix, they seem to be much more complex, adj, and long lasting.

I have two ideas in mind:

In similarity to how the stock SUBFRAME camber adjusters are often cut, threaded & welded, and put back to use as an adj. unit, I was thinking that may be possible with the ind. stock camber links. The process would be to cut off about an inch or so from the middle of the stock links, thread the inside OR if its hollow then weld a nut on, have a threaded bolt to connect each side, and a lock nut to keep it from loosening.

The other idea I have in mind is quite simple. If tapered ends, washers, etc were used on the sides of the bearings, would it be possible to use spherical bearing ends / rod ends / heim joints?

Crazy ideas, I know.

Feedback?!
Old 03-02-07, 08:12 PM
  #2  
Lives on the Forum

 
Black91n/a's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: BC, Canada
Posts: 5,707
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
They're not that long. You could try this, although it's yet to be tested AFAIK.
Attached Thumbnails DIY rear individual camber links...?-pict0165ig6.jpg  
Old 03-02-07, 10:35 PM
  #3  
Rotary Enthusiast

Thread Starter
 
skizzle84's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Posts: 954
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I think I have the idea, but explain specifically how those would work.
Old 03-02-07, 10:40 PM
  #4  
needs a cheaper hobby

iTrader: (4)
 
red87tll's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Morgantown WV
Posts: 781
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
PM Patman, he made his. I doubt you will hear from him tonight, he is at some banquet or something. But yeah he mad some adjustable rear links and they are pretty nice...
Old 03-03-07, 01:14 AM
  #5  
Lives on the Forum

 
Black91n/a's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: BC, Canada
Posts: 5,707
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
You replace the stock "bushing" with those offset ones and rotate them to change the trailing arm angle, which chages camber. Use the set screw to lock them in place (hopefully).
Old 03-03-07, 07:26 AM
  #6  
SCCAEP

iTrader: (3)
 
SCCAITS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Dallas
Posts: 1,080
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Black91n/a
They're not that long. You could try this, although it's yet to be tested AFAIK.

These are mine. I had them made and did not use them, I ended up sticking with stock dog bones as it was determined these would be a violation of SCCA ITS rules. I had them installed on the car for about a week but never tested them out. I paid $150 to have them machined with receipt. Since I am not using them, they are worth nothing to me. If anyone is interested, make me an offer or trade. Their design is not tested or proven, maybe they are flawed or maybe you can have the next big invention.

They are stock dog bones that have been modified. The centers were removed and the the edge was machined flat. (BTW - the stock dog bones have a spherical bearing in them already, it's a rubber boot that covers the bearing. That's not a traditional rubber bushing in there). Bronze bushings were machined to fit in the centers. With the offset holes, the idea was to rotate the bushing to achieve the desired distance between mounting points. The bushing was held in place by a set screw. I did not machine or come up with the design, it is that of a 30yr + SCCA tech inspector.

Old 03-03-07, 09:42 AM
  #7  
R.I.P. Icemark

iTrader: (2)
 
staticguitar313's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: gilbert, arizona
Posts: 4,229
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
i'll pay pal you $20 and a hug?
Old 03-03-07, 10:38 AM
  #8  
Banned. I got OWNED!!!
iTrader: (11)
 
stevensimon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: salt lake ut
Posts: 3,575
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
i dont know how well those would work. the set screw would keep them from falling out but not keep them in the same position. some more work would make them killer though
Old 03-03-07, 11:26 AM
  #9  
Lives on the Forum

 
Black91n/a's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: BC, Canada
Posts: 5,707
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
They would keep them in place, to a degree, who really knows how much force they have to take, so they could be fine, they might not be.
Old 03-03-07, 12:23 PM
  #10  
SCCAEP

iTrader: (3)
 
SCCAITS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Dallas
Posts: 1,080
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by staticguitar313
i'll pay pal you $20 and a hug?
Maybe if you were a really hot 20yr old female, something tells me your not though. Thanks but I'll pass on the offer.

In response to the concern, would the set screws hold the bearings in place... I don't know. If they didn't, you could very easily drill hole(s) in the side of the bearings and the set screw could then sit in a "hole" rather than just be pressed up against the side. Ideally, you could have several of these holes around the entire bearing, this could be done on any drill press.
Old 03-03-07, 12:58 PM
  #11  
Senior Member
 
unicorn_squad's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Colorado
Posts: 415
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by skizzle84
In similarity to how the stock SUBFRAME camber adjusters are often cut, threaded & welded, and put back to use as an adj. unit, I was thinking that may be possible with the ind. stock camber links. The process would be to cut off about an inch or so from the middle of the stock links, thread the inside OR if its hollow then weld a nut on, have a threaded bolt to connect each side, and a lock nut to keep it from loosening.

The other idea I have in mind is quite simple. If tapered ends, washers, etc were used on the sides of the bearings, would it be possible to use spherical bearing ends / rod ends / heim joints?

Crazy ideas, I know.

Feedback?!
I don't think they are long enough to do this. even if you did somehow manage to thread them, and get some sort of threaded adjuster on it that didn't make them longer than stock, you would have an incredibly small range of adjustment, so it really wouldn't be worth it. the aftermarket units from mazdatrix just use an allen's bolt and some wierd spacer things, so they can get very close together... closer than they could get if you tried to connect two heim joints with any sort of adjustable link.

I think your best bet, if you are just trying to get rid of -camber for as little cost as possible (if the subframe adjuster doesn't give you enough adjustment) is to simply cut them, and re-weld them back, in a permanent, shorter position. I saw some pictures a while ago of this done by I think FEED, or some company in japan... I can't seem to find them right now though. just make sure they're both equal length, and there shouldn't be any problems.
and if you wanted some adjustment, you could do the threaded part to the subframe adjuster... you wouldn't have control of each wheel individually, but it would remove a LOT of camber, for very little cost. and still give you 'some' adjustability.
Old 03-03-07, 01:08 PM
  #12  
R.I.P. Icemark

iTrader: (2)
 
staticguitar313's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: gilbert, arizona
Posts: 4,229
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Originally Posted by SCCAITS
Maybe if you were a really hot 20yr old female, something tells me your not though. Thanks but I'll pass on the offer.

In response to the concern, would the set screws hold the bearings in place... I don't know. If they didn't, you could very easily drill hole(s) in the side of the bearings and the set screw could then sit in a "hole" rather than just be pressed up against the side. Ideally, you could have several of these holes around the entire bearing, this could be done on any drill press.
yeah i guess it was worth a shot . . . i'll just machine my own then ^_^
Old 03-05-07, 11:42 AM
  #13  
Resident Know-it-All

iTrader: (3)
 
patman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Richland, WA
Posts: 3,099
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 2 Posts
I did not make individual ones, only an adjustable sublink, which is the big link in the middle by the diff. adjusting this changes camber on both wheels by the same amount, and totally fixed all my camber problems. the cost was about 5 bucks ofr a big bolt and a nut, and about 15 minutes with a welder and angle grinder. if you guys are interested, i can post a pic or something.

pat
Old 03-05-07, 04:46 PM
  #14  
Moderator

iTrader: (7)
 
hIGGI's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Czech Republic [www.rx7cz.net]
Posts: 4,985
Received 17 Likes on 12 Posts
We did try make adjustable ones by cutting/welding stock ones, but there is no clearance for that.

So i got mazdatrix units, broke one in accident, but other than that, it seems to take some abuse....
Old 03-05-07, 04:49 PM
  #15  
Moderator

iTrader: (7)
 
hIGGI's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Czech Republic [www.rx7cz.net]
Posts: 4,985
Received 17 Likes on 12 Posts
Originally Posted by SCCAITS
These are mine. I had them made and did not use them, I ended up sticking with stock dog bones as it was determined these would be a violation of SCCA ITS rules. I had them installed on the car for about a week but never tested them out. I paid $150 to have them machined with receipt. Since I am not using them, they are worth nothing to me. If anyone is interested, make me an offer or trade. Their design is not tested or proven, maybe they are flawed or maybe you can have the next big invention.

They are stock dog bones that have been modified. The centers were removed and the the edge was machined flat. (BTW - the stock dog bones have a spherical bearing in them already, it's a rubber boot that covers the bearing. That's not a traditional rubber bushing in there). Bronze bushings were machined to fit in the centers. With the offset holes, the idea was to rotate the bushing to achieve the desired distance between mounting points. The bushing was held in place by a set screw. I did not machine or come up with the design, it is that of a 30yr + SCCA tech inspector.


These will not work good imho, most of lenghts will be moving parts out of their proper axis. And bolts on side will not hold them from getting lose...
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
primerGrey
Suspension/Wheels/Tires/Brakes
10
08-25-15 02:46 PM
RaY358
2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992)
5
08-19-15 11:44 PM



Quick Reply: DIY rear individual camber links...?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:05 AM.