Suspension knowledge check

[comegetjoe]

Ill make this quick.

ZZP sells tubular front lower control arms on their site and they are listed as "Works on all LE5 and LSJ vehicles. Does not work on the LNF."
Besides the ball joint, what is different? Could one get away with changing out the ball joint and then be LNF friendly?

 

[Desert Sasqwatch]

To answer your question, the ball joint would be the part change needed to be compatible with the LNF hub upright.
Question is are you looking to replace the arms from your donor? Are they bad?
The welded tube arm is most likely not any lighter than the aluminum arm from the Cobalt. They may be stiffer (maybe?), but the design of the Cobalt arms is really an excellent part for weight to stiffness.

 

[r3drckt]

I almost spent the money on the tubular control arms myself, but the issue with the rear suspension is the strut configuration. Tubular control arms isn't going to fix the toe out under acceleration. It may stiffen up a little for turns, but unless you're tracking/autox, you won't notice the benefit of the tubular arms. I'd wait and hope for the new setup DF is working on comes to reality... or make your own setup to solve the issue.

 

[Gtstorey]

You would have to reuse your old ball joints from your existing control arms since there isn't a source for replacement ball joints for the LNF. Might be possible to drill out the rivets on yours and swap them over, but not worth the effort.

 

[k.rollin]

You would have to reuse your old ball joints from your existing control arms since there isn't a source for replacement ball joints for the LNF. Might be possible to drill out the rivets on yours and swap them over, but not worth the effort.

OTTP has LNF ball joints last time I checked. It's a pre-order IIRC, with a ship date in August. Probably more info on their Facebook page.

Cobalt Ball Joint (2008-2010 LNF)

 

[Waterdriver]

Rockauto?

 

[Desert Sasqwatch]

You can try them, but the SC cars also had aluminum lower control arms and do not match up to the LNF hub uprights. Too many of us have asked if these are TC ball joints, told yes, then get them and they are too small. Goodluck.

 

[k.rollin]

You can try them, but the SC cars also had aluminum lower control arms and do not match up to the LNF hub uprights. Too many of us have asked if these are TC ball joints, told yes, then get them and they are too small. Goodluck.

https://imgur.com/8jzzHZe

 

[Gtstorey]

Thanks for posting the OTTP ball joints. I think that is the first time they have been posted on here. Although my control arms were replaced when I built the Goblin, I ordered a set to have since they had been impossible to find. Although shipping is getting outrageous, almost $20.00 for the cheapest.

 

[comegetjoe]

Thanks for the info guys. I should have asked before purchasing.

Set of LSJ lower control arms for sale! ‍(facepalm)

 

[Gtstorey]

If you already have them, confirm their bolt spacing for the ball joint is the same as stock and add the OTTP ones when they come out.

 

[comegetjoe]

If you already have them, confirm their bolt spacing for the ball joint is the same as stock and add the OTTP ones when they come out.

I did jump on the ball joints while they're priced lower. Ill double check when they all come in.

 

[comegetjoe]

LNF Ball joints came in today. They look like normal ball joints. Ive misplaced my calipers.

 

[Desert Sasqwatch]

Hold the ball joint stub of the new one against the other one. The OTTP LNF stub should be larger in diameter.

 

[comegetjoe]

I dont have a non-lnf to check against.

 

[Desert Sasqwatch]

Does it match up to the old LNF ball joint stub? You have those yes?

 

[comegetjoe]

Does it match up to the old LNF ball joint stub? You have those yes?

Still on the donor yet.

 

[Desert Sasqwatch]

Well break out the wrenches and get those LCAs off the donor to check!!! No excuses! Lol!!!

 

[comegetjoe]

If im reading these manual calipers right, .808" which translates to 20.523mm.

Thats what we're looking for right? LSJ and others are 19.5mm and the LNF are 20.5mm. It appears that OTTP did it right!

 

[Desert Sasqwatch]

Correct. Looks like the OTTP ball joints are legit LNF parts. SCORE!