UMI on car adjustable control arms/ panhard bars

**Whamhammer** · 11-29-2014, 05:22 PM

Hello all,

I am about the buy a new panhard bar and rear control (trailing) arms for my 02 WS6. The on car adjustable parts are looking fairly appealing to me, but am not sure it is the best choice for my use of the vehicle. For a car that is going to see 95% daily driver duties, will the on car adjustable arms/bars be that much better than the non adjustable's? Would the typical alignment guy be able to make effective adjustments for this car with them on them?

***SMWS6TA*** · 11-29-2014, 07:32 PM

Unless you are lowered or going to be doing track/road/autox racing stick with non adjustable and you'll be good.

**2002ssslp** · 12-01-2014, 05:20 AM

UMI is one of the best suspension companies in the marketplace today and they have specialist in house that can supply you with the right parts. I have done business with them in the past and the tech people will answer any and all questions you have and get you what you need. JMO

***SMWS6TA*** · 12-01-2014, 07:30 AM

ditto

**Whamhammer** · 12-01-2014, 10:10 AM

Originally Posted by 2002ssslp

UMI is one of the best suspension companies in the marketplace today and they have specialist in house that can supply you with the right parts. I have done business with them in the past and the tech people will answer any and all questions you have and get you what you need. JMO

I never doubted UMI or their products. My concern was going gung-ho and getting the on car adjustable pieces and the average alignment guy not being able to properly adjust them to their best use, or even worse making the car handle poorly.

**35th-ANV-SS** · 12-01-2014, 11:52 AM

The rear-ends of the 4th gen cars favor the driver-side straight from the factory. With that, I would get at least the adjustable pan hard bar as it really isn't that much more money than the non-adjustable. I have the UMI on-car adjustable unit and it's really easy to adjust and the quality is great.

I'm lowered with Strano springs and have BMR lower control arms (non-adjustable) and my wheels to the naked eye look pretty centered within the wheel well from front to back, which is what the LCA's control.

**theorangeguy** · 12-01-2014, 01:16 PM

Originally Posted by 35th-ANV-SS

The rear-ends of the 4th gen cars favor the driver-side straight from the factory. With that, I would get at least the adjustable pan hard bar as it really isn't that much more money than the non-adjustable. I have the UMI on-car adjustable unit and it's really easy to adjust and the quality is great.

I'm lowered with Strano springs and have BMR lower control arms (non-adjustable) and my wheels to the naked eye look pretty centered within the wheel well from front to back, which is what the LCA's control.

100% dead right.

**Whamhammer** · 12-01-2014, 06:45 PM

Originally Posted by 35th-ANV-SS

The rear-ends of the 4th gen cars favor the driver-side straight from the factory. With that, I would get at least the adjustable pan hard bar as it really isn't that much more money than the non-adjustable. I have the UMI on-car adjustable unit and it's really easy to adjust and the quality is great.

I'm lowered with Strano springs and have BMR lower control arms (non-adjustable) and my wheels to the naked eye look pretty centered within the wheel well from front to back, which is what the LCA's control.

As long as the typical alignment guy can adjust it right, I dont have a problem with an adjustable panhard rod.

One of the other threads is talking about their rear LCAs come with oversized boltholes that lead to clanking and other noises. Is this really the case for UMI? Do they offer the proper sized bolt for the hole? It makes no sense to buy a LCA to fix suspension slop, just to have problem due to bolt-bolt hole play.

**35th-ANV-SS** · 12-01-2014, 08:28 PM

You must have not read my reply to that in that same thread. The holes arent that much larger. You need some oversize to allow for tolerance variation. Otherwise, it wouldn't likely bolt up and align with the existing holes.

That's the first time I've ever heard of there being noise. Tighten the suggested bolt size to the proper torque spec and you won't have an issue. Thousands of people (probably more) have these installed on their vehicle.

**Whamhammer** · 12-02-2014, 05:11 PM

Originally Posted by 35th-ANV-SS

You must have not read my reply to that in that same thread. The holes arent that much larger. You need some oversize to allow for tolerance variation. Otherwise, it wouldn't likely bolt up and align with the existing holes.

That's the first time I've ever heard of there being noise. Tighten the suggested bolt size to the proper torque spec and you won't have an issue. Thousands of people (probably more) have these installed on their vehicle.

So do you really think that GT Eaters situation is an isolated incident? I understood what you were saying, but it still merits consideration to me.
I just want to make sure that I make the right choices, do the right things.

**35th-ANV-SS** · 12-02-2014, 05:46 PM

I can't say for certain. I have BMR lower control arms installed (for several years now) and haven't had any issues at all; noises or otherwise. I would think UMI LCA's are identical.

Several on here have UMI LCA's and can chime in.

Maybe he didn't torque them down correctly or torque them with the suspension loaded. It just seems odd to me they would rattle at all, regardless of which brand were used. It's possible the holes in the actual car chassis had become larger or oblong from wear over time. Hard to say without seeing his application firsthand.

**UMI Performance** · 12-03-2014, 10:21 AM

Originally Posted by Whamhammer

As long as the typical alignment guy can adjust it right, I dont have a problem with an adjustable panhard rod.

One of the other threads is talking about their rear LCAs come with oversized boltholes that lead to clanking and other noises. Is this really the case for UMI? Do they offer the proper sized bolt for the hole? It makes no sense to buy a LCA to fix suspension slop, just to have problem due to bolt-bolt hole play.

Incorrect. We do not supply oversized holes for any reason. Noise issues are usually loose hardware or running incorrect bushings on the street, such as rod ends. So no worries on incorrect holes here.

**35th-ANV-SS** · 12-03-2014, 12:12 PM

So the holes in the LCA's are exactly the same size, +/-.000, as the holes that are on the car they bolt to?

**98TransAmWs-6** · 12-03-2014, 12:32 PM

I know the holes in my UMI roto-joint LCAs appear to be the same size as stock but I haven't taken a digital caliper or a micrometer to either so one could be ever so slightly larger or smaller that you can't tell by eyeballing it.

**Whamhammer** · 12-03-2014, 07:54 PM

Originally Posted by UMI Performance

Incorrect. We do not supply oversized holes for any reason. Noise issues are usually loose hardware or running incorrect bushings on the street, such as rod ends. So no worries on incorrect holes here.

Thanks for clearing that up Ryan. You guys will be getting a call/order from in a couple of paychecks. BTW can I order the mounting bolts/nuts from you guys too? I didn't see anything on the website.

**UMI Performance** · 12-04-2014, 03:16 AM

Originally Posted by 98TransAmWs-6

I know the holes in my UMI roto-joint LCAs appear to be the same size as stock but I haven't taken a digital caliper or a micrometer to either so one could be ever so slightly larger or smaller that you can't tell by eyeballing it.

Our control arm holes will measure .500-.510. This is very close to factory. The factory bolts are 12mm (0.472). The very little play we offer does not cause noise and is standard for all companies. It is gives you .015" a side which is basically thinner than your finger nail. This is needed to help ease the install. I hope that helps.

Originally Posted by Whamhammer

Thanks for clearing that up Ryan. You guys will be getting a call/order from in a couple of paychecks. BTW can I order the mounting bolts/nuts from you guys too? I didn't see anything on the website.

Yes you can. Part # 3001 is for the control arms. Thanks for the order!