why does my a-arm look wierd

[goldxlt]

never noticed this before, my pasenger side upper a arm is different then the one on the drivers side, instead of being one "hoop" from the frame to the ball joint, i have one hoop off the frame and then a second that the ball joint sits on that attaches to the first one. is this a universal set up that the previous owner used or is it suppose to be like this.

 

[gwaii]

that's the way they come.

 

[escort_gts]

looks like an adjuster for caster

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

That is exactly what it is for, caster adjustment. And yup, it is factory.

It can be replaced with the newer 1 piece upper arm.

 

[goldxlt]

well i guess you never know unless you ask, thanks. is it better to replace it with a one piece or keep the stock set up?

 

[srteach]

Keep stock ... larger adjustment range.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Keep stock ... larger adjustment range.

But only on one side....so It's kinda pointless.

I'd just replace it with the one piece arm and install the camber/caster eccentrics while you have the arms out.

 

[gwaii]

i'm wondering,though...why was that arm only used on the right side.is there limited room for adjustment there so it had to be built into the arm?the left side specs the one piece.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

The only thing I could think of is so that they could easily set the caster to compensate for road crown?!

 

[gwaii]

hmmm.seems odd they would design such a complicated arm for one side-seems like an afterthought,that's why i was wondering if there's not enough room for adjustment on that side.a different arm would be easier than redesigning the frame.

just a guess though.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

I've replaced them with the newer one piece arm lots....never had an issue with aligning it after with camber/caster eccentrics.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Just read through the shop manual...it is for setting caster split.

You are still supposed to install the camber/caster eccentrics and get everything evened up using them. Then you set your caster split with the adjustable RH arm.

 

[gwaii]

ahhhhh.

still seems odd.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Yup...the split is easily accomplished with the eccentrics on their own.