Adjustable or Non-Adjustable Torque Arm?

**Naaman** · 09-16-2016, 05:50 PM

I was looking at an adjustable torque arm for a future buy, and noticed that they have rod-end joints in them. I absolutely hate the sounds of my rod-end LCAs and was considering going with the UMI non-adjustable torque arm.

My car is lowered on Strano Springs. I am currently running the stock torque arm.

UMI says to go with adjustable, but my thing is this: If I'm running the stock (non-adjustable) torque arm right now, what problem am I causing by not having it adjusted to the lower ride height?

My understanding is that the non-adjustable is a direct bolt on replacement for the factory piece. Am I missing something?

**raynor139** · 09-16-2016, 06:41 PM

I have an adjustable torque arm with rod ends and I rarely if ever hear it. I changed to different style of lca because I got tired of listening to them. Even though the car rides much stiffer with the new koni 4/4 it's alot quieter then the stock suspension was with the rod lcas.

The reason why you want to beyond noise is the pinion angle. When you lower the car you change the angle. While not always necessary an incorrect angle can reduce traction and in bad cases cause alot of driveline noise.

Had some of the same worries as you since I was trying to get away from all the noise the car was making before I rebuilt the suspension.

**Naaman** · 09-17-2016, 03:03 AM

What LCAs did you go with? I'm close to choosing UMI's poly-roto combo.

***SMWS6TA*** · 09-17-2016, 06:31 AM

i have the single adjustable roto joint LCA's from UMI. no complaints what so ever. Made setting up my 8.8 rear square easy as pie.

No noise either, some ppl complain about noise, that's why I mention it.

**raynor139** · 09-17-2016, 07:34 AM

I have the founders poly/poly on car adjustable setup. I was going to try the UMI roto ones but wanted something with no noise. The founders units use a 3 piece poly setup at both ends. So they use a hard spherical piece with softer cups on either side to give a larger range of motion then 2 piece poly setups. They claim their motion range is as good as spherical bearings. If I don't like them I still have my UMI ones and can switch their rod ends to the roto ones. My UMI are also showing their age and need to have the powder coat redone on them and they are single rod ends. In the end after having rod ends on both my lca and Panhard bar then going to one's that don't I can say I'm much happier with the noise reduction. If I did lose any performance out of the switch I haven't noticed. But with rebuilding the entire suspension at once who knows.

**DarrenWS6** · 09-18-2016, 10:03 AM

I also am lowered ( Eibach pro-kit ) and you may recall my thread of suspension 'hopping' cruising down the road. I have no annoying noises or anything, only the hop issue. I too know it is because of the torque arm angle shifting the rear differently. When the car lowers, the torque arm needs to downsize to accommodate. So i'll be ordering an adjustable torque arm. I'll keep everything poly bushing to reduce any chances of noise on my street pleasure car.