Hey, I have been investigating lower and upper control arms for the 08 GT500. I have come across a couple of hibrid type control arms with poly on one end and combination sherical joint with plastic on the other end. As I have been reading there is a potential for binding with an all poly type bushings on both ends, so I am not planning on using these. My main goal is to stop the hop and more predictable cornering.
So here's my question, has anyone used the parts manufacturered by Spohn, or UMI? It seems to me these are similiar to the D&R products. Any experience anyone could share would be appreciated.
Spohn calls their joint:
Del-Sphere Pivot Joints:

"The Spohn Performance Del-Sphere pivot joint solves the short comings of the factory rubber and aftermarket polyurethane bushings. Our Del-Sphere pivot joint incorporates a spherical ball which is surrounded by delrin bushing cups. This combination allows the control arm to articulate like a spherical rod end (28 degrees of available rotation) during cornering but the spherical ball does not allow the bushing to deflect during acceleration. This provides for great straight line traction like polyurethane bushed control arms but remains completely bind free like a spherical rod end during cornering for predictable traction in the corners.

Think of the Del-Sphere pivot joint as a Delrin bushed spherical rod end. After over a year of R&D testing here at Spohn Performance on a streetable spherical joint the Del-Sphere pivot joint is the final result. Designed and manufactured exclusively by Spohn Performance, we have taken street suspension performance to the next level. Our Del-Sphere pivot joint features a one piece forged and heat treated chrome moly housing, a heat treated and chrome plated chrome moly spherical ball, Delrin bushing cups, heat treated retainer washer and snap ring, heat treated and chrome plated chrome moly threaded adjuster ring, an external grease fitting and a beautiful silver zinc plated housing finish. The delrin bushing cups absorb shock and road noise so you get the quiet and smooth ride of a bushing as well as 28 degrees of rotation! Our Del-Sphere pivot joints will always ship to you fully assembled, however, we also offer an optional adjusting tool that will allow you to do two things. First, you can disassemble the Del-Sphere pivot joint for cleaning, inspection, etc. Second, you can adjust the amount of friction on the spherical ball. Do you want a very low friction pivot joint or a very tight pivot joint? It's up to you, the amount of tension can be easily adjusted by using our optional adjustment tool to tighten or loosen the end retainer ring. What that also means is if over time and miles the tolerances open up you can simply re-adjust the retainer ring and have your pivot joint as tight as it was the day it was brand new. We doubt you'll ever need to replace the Delrin bushing cups, but they certainly can be. Unlike a spherical rod end, the Del-Sphere pivot joint is 100% rebuildable."

The UMI calls their joint:
Roto Joint:
This upper control arm is a direct bolt-on replacement and features a spherical Roto-Joint. The Roto-Joint design is a pivot ball lined with a greaseable delrin race designed to offer 28 degrees of total unrestricted movement, more than adequate for a bind free, low friction operation. The Roto-Joint design improves performance over the factory rubber and aftermarket polyurethane bushings by allowing the suspension to articulate correctly, and provides precision handling. The installed UMI Roto-Joint allows rear end free movement when high handling, auto cross or road race is a concern while still being a 100% streetable setup. The installed delrin race, which lines the spherical ball, absorbs shock and road noise for a quiet and smooth operation on any street or track driven vehicle.
Cheers,
Hugh

 

Here's another option:
http://www.hotpart.com/shop/index.ph...ct_detail&p=45
I've had them on my car for a while, now. Good product at a great price.

 

I ran a Steeda upper on mine and was happy. I've honestly never heard of those brands before.

 

^^^ I was hoping you would chime in

 

Hey, The Spohn and UMI arms don't seem to be well know. Might just stay away from them if there is no experience with them.
Thanks the J&M product looks like a possibility, anyone using them?
A Jeep guy I know says they have been using these joint for off road. He called them 'Johnny Joints'.
Cheers,Hugh

 

I had never heard of J&M (hotpart) before, either. Several members on another site recommended them to me. I was a little apprehensive at first due to the low price, but they turned out to be more than worth the money. I did a rear end swap last season, and had a look at the bushings while I had everything apart. All was good. I am also using a Steeda upper control arm. If you change the upper, get a heavy duty mount as well (you'll need to pull the mount out anyway). If you are installing these yourself, the lowers are easy, but the upper is a bit of a bitch. I've done both, so if you need any advice, let me know.

 

As I said earlier I was happy with my Steeda but everyone I have spoke to and every GT500 site I was on recommended BMR. Apparently they are the best.

 

What does BMR stand for???

 

This BMR UCA and this LCA both have the spherical ball with poly. They call the joint QA1. With this ball I expect no bind and only slight NVH.

http://www.bmrsuspension.com/index.c...&productid=767
http://www.bmrsuspension.com/index.c...&productid=762

They also have the upper mount for the UCA and the relocation brackets for the LCAs too. Looks like one stop shopping! Any one know if these can be had from a Canadian suppler?

Who knows what BMR stands for? Thanks for the advice.
Cheers, Hugh

 

I thought Steeda called their joint the QA1 as well?????