LCA bearing? Which is better

[TeeLew]

Ok, I agree with your assessment that all suspensions have some degree of toe change with travel. Of all the performance cars you have worked on in your life, where would you place the S550 chassis? I don't rate it very highly.

They're middle of the road. A double wishbone suspension (like the Aston Vantage, which has a lot of similarities in terms of car) would have made much more sense, but . The worst used to be Porsches. You'd measure the toe steer in cm, not mm.

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[Bluemustang]

I completely disagree. The spherical will be the better on-track option, but the SuperPro Bush gives probably a 90% improvement in camber/toe control with zero headaches on the road. The bushing does not 'bind', it deflects. It's made to do that and those who discuss it the most are the ones who haven't actually used it.

Well said TeeLew. A buddy of mine did his and the difference is certainly noticeable. I've driven his car quite a few times and so am familiar with it. I have the bearings on my car and it definitely is harsher. I doubt there would be a noticeable difference handling wise between the two, but the poly superpro bushings add welcome compliance. In fact, in street applications I can see the poly bushing may perform a little better if anything, by helping lessen the impact of bumps. On the street, conditions are usually less than perfect, a consideration that race cars typically won't have to deal with.

So, while either option is 100% worth it over stock, I feel the RLCA bearings are overkill for the vast majority of us. The front control arm bearings have a little less negative impact imo and the direct steering feel has been worthwhile trade off. I do wonder what the superpro bushing for the front arms would feel like.

 

[kbreeze72]

Honestly I would advise anyone to skip the bearings and do the superpro bushing instead.

Because of a lot less NVH? Did you have spherical bearings and than switched to the Superpro Poly bushings?

 

[NGOT8R]

I have the Steeda spherical bearings I. My RLCAs and there are zero issues with them. Not saying the poly bushings are a bad way to go either, but I’m happy with my sphericals.

 

[thompsje]

I think the difference is the amount of preventative maintenance and upkeep involved. Yes, spherical bearings are noisy, but if you're ok with that, they are also much more prone to wear in a non racing setting. I wouldn't put spherical bearings in anything for street use unless you're willing to inspect and possibly replace every 10k miles at best.

So if it's a race car and that's an acceptable expense, fine. Ditto a garage queen that won't see 10k in 5 years. For a daily, bushings are a way better choice.

 

[galaxy]

Are you guys getting the bushings from SuperPro USA? And they have front options? I saw something for the front that was caster adjustable.

 

[kbreeze72]

Are you guys getting the bushings from SuperPro USA? And they have front options? I saw something for the front that was caster adjustable.

I just bought the RLCA Superpro bushings from Suspension.com $94.99 + $10.95 shipping
Not sure about front options.

 

[NGOT8R]

TIP: For those of you, who want to run bushings in the RLCAs, I found during my spherical bearing install, that it was easy to press the factory rubber out of the bushing shell using an arbor of the appropriate size and a shop press. There will be a little residual rubber left behind on the sides of the shell, which can be very easily burned out with a mini propane torch. This will be significantly easier and faster than trying to remove and replace the whole bushing shell (which doesn’t come out easily btw). Once that’s done, grease up the new bushings of choice and insert them.

 

[Bluemustang]

Because of a lot less NVH? Did you have spherical bearings and than switched to the Superpro Poly bushings?

No but I'm about to. On my buddy's car the superpro bushing - it feels nicer.

 

[Bluemustang]

I just bought the RLCA Superpro bushings from Suspension.com $94.99 + $10.95 shipping
Not sure about front options.

I'm not either which is why I won't be doing the fronts, at least not right away. Stick with the bearings for now.

 

[mustangflanagan]

I am confused. Is the ford performance toe link bearing the same as steedas spherical bearing and bmr in terms are part location? Speed pro RLCA bushing looks to go in another location.

 

[Järn]

I am confused. Is the ford performance toe link bearing the same as steedas spherical bearing and bmr in terms are part location? Speed pro RLCA bushing looks to go in another location.

Please watch this video, Kelly explains the two bearings you are asking about.

 

[NGOT8R]

Please watch this video, Kelly explains the two bearings you are asking about.

Good stuff right there!

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