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Rear Control Arms - Strength, Length & Adjustment
FIND OUT JUST HOW MUCH DIFFERENCE RUNNING THE RIGHT REAR CONTROL ARMS CAN MAKE!
Rear control arms are a key component for both smooth handling and putting power to the ground but they are also one of the lowest points and are vulnerable to damage while off-roading. These arms are put under a lot of strain when trying to climb obstacles or towing heavy loads and often the result is the arm bending which can lead to the diff rotating and snapping off the shocks and the pinion flange.
Control arm length
is associated with pinion angle and should be one of the most important considerations once a vehicle is lifted, but sadly it is often overlooked. Using the wrong arm lengths can result in incorrect driveline angles, which lead to horrible drive line vibrations, as well as premature failure of U-joints, drive shafts, pinion bearings and even transfer case output bearings.
'Pinion angle' is the difference between the driveshaft angle and the pinion angle on the differential. Coil sprung live axle vehicles often require a change in rear control arm lengths once a lift has been added. The best ways to do this are by replacing the often thin OE rear links with a heavy duty replacement item.
The factory rear arms in most 4WDs such as LandCruisers and Patrols, are made from thin wall tubing and are adequate for only moderate off-road work. When 4WDing the lower rear arms often make contact with even small rock ledges and are very prone to damage.
Heavy duty control arms
are available for most popular models and are available in both extended fixed-length or adjustable-length to suit any lift height. The strength of the arms can be directly related to the materials used. Some of the various material types that Superior Engineering prefer and recommend include medium and high tensile solid-bar and Mecaplus tubing, Solid 4140 chromoly bar and custom milled through hardened 4340M solid bar for the ultimate in strength/weight.
Vehicles such as Toyota LandCruisers and Prados as well as Nissan Patrols and NP300 Navaras are catered for with fixed or adjustable upper and lower arms available to help center the diff position and those big new tires in the rear wheel arch as well as correct the pinion angle.
With touring and towing vehicles in mind we have also developed a bent upper control arm to help with clearance on vehicles fitted with a long range tank - these too are also available in either fixed or adjustable. The high strength material and special CNC bending process allows the bent arm to have the correct clearance around the tank. Beware some designs with large bend radius's or bends that are too close to the center of the arm as this will often restrict up-travel and will contact the chassis causing extensive damage.
For those of you who are looking for precise adjustability and huge gains in flex and strength, Superior Engineering has released a range of competition-bred heim joint lower control arms.
These lower control arms
have massive 7/8in chromoly heim joints, with a load capacity of up to ~45,000lbs. The heims (rod ends) allow for more than twice the travel of some OE rubber bushings and feature high angle spacers to suit Toyota or Nissan rear arm mounting points.
Easily adjustable, for pinion angle fine adjustment. The threaded main bar allows up to 20mm of link length safe adjustment to get that pinion angle spot on and avoid vibrations.
ITS seal technology - Both threaded rod sections have our patented ITS seal technology that eliminates water or contaminant ingress into the threaded seal section = No bound up rusty threads! (Patent#-2015101600)
Both heims are easily replaced or adjusted, unlike rubber bushes where you need a press to replace them.
The main links are CNC machined from high yield strength 40mm SOLID bar to exacting tolerances and are then plated for long lasting corrosion protection and good looks.
Control arm sets are available in a range of lengths
To allow adjustment ranges to suit varying lift heights and configurations.
If traction and off-road performance are key, then maybe long-arm lower control arms might be on your shopping list. The length and angle of the rear control arms is a key factor in determining the vehicle 'anti-squat' geometry. The reduction in anti-squat on lifted 4WDs dramatically improves how power that is put to the ground and reduces the jacking effect the rear links have when cornering. Long-arm extra-long competition style arms are capable of handling over 18in of shock travel without bind, and reduce diff steer when articulating.