who are the go to steering/suspension parts now?

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Caman96

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I see the pieces on their site, but can't wrap my head around what they do. Can you post a pic?
X2 on the Cognito braces and SuperSteer Idler.
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Supercharged111

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X2 on the Cognito braces and SuperSteer Idler.
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So it's an idler arm for your idler arm and a pitman arm for your pitman arm.
 

Caman96

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The SuperSteer Idler arm is a solid anchor itself. Made in USA-Lifetime Warranty.
You must be registered for see images attach


Obviously not for a 400, reference only ^^^
 

alignman88

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Having read through this thread it would seem Mevotech is the overall favorite. My truck is at 176K and the front tires are wearing on the outside edge a little faster than the inside edge and I've noticed that the driver side tire has been rubbing the lower control arm slightly on full left lock turns. This paired with the truck being almost 30 years old I figure a full refresh of the front end wouldn't hurt anything. Are there any advantages to sticking with the stamped CA's vs using the fancy tubular ones? If it's worth the upgrade I'll use them but I don't want to throw extra money at something that is purely cosmetic.
The “fancy” control arms like QA1 are designed to improve handling during “sporty” driving conditions.

They have different geometry and longer ball joint studs. This improves camber gain, allowing you to maximize tire life by setting camber at 0 degrees instead of to the negative (tire leaned in at top) while in a straight line, but when turning the camber value increases faster than factory geometry increasing tire contact under load.

They also allow higher caster values (upper pivot point closer to driver than lower) increasing straight line stability, and that allows more camber roll, camber change when steering is turned, and quicker return ability as it’s steered back to center.

Here’s a shot of my ‘88 with the suspension at full droop resting on the stop. Note the long ball joint stud. QA1 does not cover the entire stud with a dust boot because it would get chewed up when at aggressive cornering angles.
 

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Supercharged111

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The “fancy” control arms like QA1 are designed to improve handling during “sporty” driving conditions.

They have different geometry and longer ball joint studs. This improves camber gain, allowing you to maximize tire life by setting camber at 0 degrees instead of to the negative (tire leaned in at top) while in a straight line, but when turning the camber value increases faster than factory geometry increasing tire contact under load.

They also allow higher caster values (upper pivot point closer to driver than lower) increasing straight line stability, and that allows more camber roll, camber change when steering is turned, and quicker return ability as it’s steered back to center.

Here’s a shot of my ‘88 with the suspension at full droop resting on the stop. Note the long ball joint stud. QA1 does not cover the entire stud with a dust boot because it would get chewed up when at aggressive cornering angles.

The arms themselves won't have any direct effect on geometry, just the ball joints they're able to use and their relocated pivot points. And you're still going to want some negative camber up front unless you drive like an old man (in which case, why bother with the arms?), but you won't be as far behind the curve so to speak.
 

alignman88

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GM idler arms have built in play on all theirs truck chassis vehicles. Due to the steering arm design when you turn in a tight radius that play lessens the scrub on the outside tire reducing the tire squeal we all hear during a very tight turn. Many safety inspections prematurely fail an idler arm due to that slop.

Supersteer idler invented by Robert Henderson of Henderson’s Lineup in Grants Pass, Oregon uses the taper bearings you can see on cut-away allowing them to reduce the amount of play that the stock units have when using a basic bronze thrust bearing type setup. That results in a tighter steering feel and less toe deflection. Wish they made those for the half ton 2wd trucks.
 

alignman88

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The arms themselves won't have any direct effect on geometry, just the ball joints they're able to use and their relocated pivot points. And you're still going to want some negative camber up front unless you drive like an old man (in which case, why bother with the arms?), but you won't be as far behind the curve so to speak.
Now we get into deep water. The control arms do more than you think in relation to design, typically seen on race applications and their mounting points.

Anti-dive is to lessen how the forces typically transfer to body roll, and transfer it through the control arms and spindles instead of the body roll path. The trick is to keep wheel alignment angles at optimal values under braking. Toe and camber can change causing loss of grip or stability, as well as have negative aerodynamic effects that are optimal at the prescribed ride height.

Edit:
The control arm design also allows in the QA1 OBS trucks the ability to run over 5 degrees positive caster increasing straight line stability, which also means even MORE camber gain in a turn.

Detroit Speed has complete hydroformed front subframes for Gen 1 & 2 Camaro/Firebirds that correct handling issues due to better anti-dive characteristics. That’s why you see so many Optima Street Car competition folks using those type cars and placing high in the rankings.

Here’s a quick and easy to understand video on what anti dive is.

 

Caman96

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GM idler arms have built in play on all theirs truck chassis vehicles. Due to the steering arm design when you turn in a tight radius that play lessens the scrub on the outside tire reducing the tire squeal we all hear during a very tight turn. Many safety inspections prematurely fail an idler arm due to that slop.

Supersteer idler invented by Robert Henderson of Henderson’s Lineup in Grants Pass, Oregon uses the taper bearings you can see on cut-away allowing them to reduce the amount of play that the stock units have when using a basic bronze thrust bearing type setup. That results in a tighter steering feel and less toe deflection. Wish they made those for the half ton 2wd trucks.
Alignman88 what’s your opinion on Mevotrch TTX?
 
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