Caster arm bushes to ball joints

[Sheldon McIntosh]

Was about to order some poly bushes for the caster arm, but wondered if anyone here has converted to ball joints?  Seems like a pretty obvious thing to do to a track car to me, will never have to replace bushes again, and I've heard that poly bushes in this spot can get eaten up pretty quickly on a track car?

Would like to hear of any experiences.  Also where did you get them from?  I'm probably going to order some from Performatek next week, unless I hear of any horror stories/cheaper suppliers locally.

[Neil Choi]

Sheldon

I believe people use 105 caster arms which have the ball joint.  I think it is easy to fit by drilling a couple of holes to attach.  I have seen it but not done it myself.

It is a sensible modification.

Neil

[Duk]

Was about to order some poly bushes for the caster arm, but wondered if anyone here has converted to ball joints?  Seems like a pretty obvious thing to do to a track car to me, will never have to replace bushes again, and I've heard that poly bushes in this spot can get eaten up pretty quickly on a track car?

Would like to hear of any experiences.  Also where did you get them from?  I'm probably going to order some from Performatek next week, unless I hear of any horror stories/cheaper suppliers locally.

I've used the PU bushes from Performatek and can't complain. I have read that the ball joint set up does provide even more consistent wheel alignment (probably 'only' the caster angle). It was also used on the SZ's.

[scott.venables]

I did it.  I got a pair of 105 ball joints second hand from the 105 Factory many years ago for about $20 I think. The hardest part is filing the aluminium spacer to the right shape to fit between the balljoint and the body. I kept putting texta on the face that sits against the body, sitting it in there, sliding it around a bit and then taking off the high spots. On the engine bay side I tapped 2 holes the appropriate distance apart in a piece of 16mm wide x 8mm thick plate. 

If you want new joints, Turin Imports would probably have them cheaper if you don't mind making the other bits.

The way the joint works I wouldn't put any thing else in there. 

Scott

[Sheldon McIntosh]

So Scott did you make up a spacer yourself, or get the kit?  This is the one that Performatek sells.

I foresee a phonecall to Vin in my future.

[MD]

That's the ticket Sheldon for road or track.

[scott.venables]

Yeah I cut the spacers out of some 12mm aluminium plate I had. 

Scott

[MD]

Only small drawback for the road car purists is a minor increase in steering wheel vibratrions as the ball joint doesn't dampen like the original rubber bushings but for the driver in you, it's worth it.