Disadvantages of double-adjustable control arms?

[any4xx]

I’m ready to buy new control arms & track bars. I’ve pretty well settled on Core 4x4 Crawl hardware (unless someone here wants to tell me there is a better option).

For only $100.00 they will “upgrade” their arms to double-adjustable. In my imagination I’m seeing easier initial setup fine adjustments, which doesn’t really matter to me since I’m retired and have more time than money. I don’t mind spending time with the fine adjustments. It would seem to me that once properly adjusted there should be no reason to ever adjust them again? Also, are the arms being threaded at both ends possibly making them weaker? Or in the worst-case, has anyone ever had both jamb nuts come loose and had an arm self-adjust as a result?

I’m just not seeing that having the double-adjustable arms is of any real benefit after initial install.

Am I wrong here? Any other full kits I should consider instead of the Core 4x4?

 

[GregBelleville]

https://savvyoffroad.com/products/s...ntrol-arm-set-8-pieces?variant=47673070846193

When I was shopping for control arms I was wavering between those crawl series arms and these from Savvy.

Both use Johnny joints and are double adjustable, I BELIEVE Core uses narrow johnny joints whereas Savvy doesn't (someone smarter than me will have to explain the difference). Savvy is aluminum.

I found a good deal on a used set of the Savvy arms on here so that made my decision easy.

 

[Chris]

Oh you’ll find out pretty quickly what the advantages of double adjustable upper arms are once you have to repeatedly mess with your pinion angles.

 

[TheBoogieman]

I’m ready to buy new control arms & track bars. I’ve pretty well settled on Core 4x4 Crawl hardware (unless someone here wants to tell me there is a better option).
Any other full kits I should consider instead of the Core 4x4?

ON SALE and free shipping.

https://savvyoffroad.com/products/s...rm-set-new-7075-series?variant=47673155158257

 

[any4xx]

Oh you’ll find out pretty quickly what the advantages of double adjustable upper arms are once you have to repeatedly mess with your pinion angles.

But…. Once they’re adjusted, they’re, well, adjusted, no?

 

[any4xx]

ON SALE and free shipping.

https://savvyoffroad.com/products/s...rm-set-new-7075-series?variant=47673155158257

The Core 4x4 are on sale and just slightly more than that set, but include both track bars and steering linkage. Oddly though, they have an 18% off price listed on everything, but when I add them to my cart that changes to a 12% off price. I’ve got a message into them to figure out why. I must admit though that the aluminum is an appealing option.

 

[mrblaine]

But…. Once they’re adjusted, they’re, well, adjusted, no?

Yes, but we've spent 20 hours adjusting and driving to dial in a rear pinion. 20-30 adjustments to try and get it vibe-free. If they were single adjustable, it would have taken 3 times as long and likely not happened.

 

[any4xx]

Yes, but we've spent 20 hours adjusting and driving to dial in a rear pinion. 20-30 adjustments to try and get it vibe-free. If they were single adjustable, it would have taken 3 times as long and likely not happened.

Hmmmm…. My only other experience has been with older GM muscle car four links and one trip into my former TJ with only adjustable rear uppers. Unless I’m missing something, it’s still a one-and-done, right? EG: once it’s finally right, it’s right forever? The double-adjustment is certainly appealing on that level. But part-2 of my concern is whether the double-adjustable arms are possibly any weaker than the single-adjustable, or if there’s ever a chance of the jamb nuts working loose. Spending an extra $100.00 is a no brainer when already spending $2k unless there’s a mechanical DIS-advantage that I’m missing.

 

[mrblaine]

Hmmmm…. My only other experience has been with older GM muscle car four links and one trip into my former TJ with only adjustable rear uppers. Unless I’m missing something, it’s still a one-and-done, right? EG: once it’s finally right, it’s right forever? The double-adjustment is certainly appealing on that level. But part-2 of my concern is whether the double-adjustable arms are possibly any weaker than the single-adjustable, or if there’s ever a chance of the jamb nuts working loose. Spending an extra $100.00 is a no brainer when already spending $2k unless there’s a mechanical DIS-advantage that I’m missing.

Iffen you was a horse, you'd die of thirst.

 

[any4xx]

Iffen you was a horse, you'd die of thirst.

I guess I’m missing something by asking clarifying questions. I’ll just die, I guess.

 

[PG.]

I think the answer to your question is there is no disadvantage that I have come across with two years of having double adjustable arms.

 

[speeding_infraction]

I’m ready to buy new control arms & track bars. I’ve pretty well settled on Core 4x4 Crawl hardware (unless someone here wants to tell me there is a better option).

For only $100.00 they will “upgrade” their arms to double-adjustable. In my imagination I’m seeing easier initial setup fine adjustments, which doesn’t really matter to me since I’m retired and have more time than money. I don’t mind spending time with the fine adjustments. It would seem to me that once properly adjusted there should be no reason to ever adjust them again? Also, are the arms being threaded at both ends possibly making them weaker? Or in the worst-case, has anyone ever had both jamb nuts come loose and had an arm self-adjust as a result?

I’m just not seeing that having the double-adjustable arms is of any real benefit after initial install.

Am I wrong here? Any other full kits I should consider instead of the Core 4x4?

There are no disadvantages. You are asking is it worth spending 8% more money to only have to wrestle getting them installed once. Not even a question for me (now I just need the money lol)

 

[PurpleTJAZ]

I think what is being said is that single adjustable can get you to the same place as double adjustable. Getting there is easier with a double. With a single you will be taking it in and out every time you make an adjustment. at some point you will most likely say "good enough!". With double adjustable arm you will more likely and more easily get to the point you say "perfect"! To me "purfect" was worth the extra $. As far as weaker.....I don't think so...

 

[MikeE024]

I guess I’m missing something by asking clarifying questions. I’ll just die, I guess.

Post #7 provided great reasoning for why you want the double adjustable arms. It could take many adjustments before you are “done,” and the adjustments will be much more painful with single adjustable.

Also, double adjustables provide 360* of adjustability like a tie rod rather than needing to choose between 180* adjustments with single adjustable arms.

 

[jjvw]

I guess I’m missing something by asking clarifying questions. I’ll just die, I guess.

The advantage to double adjustable is that you are more likely to get the adjustments correct because you will be less likely to get sick and tired of adjusting them before giving up.

 

[PTMTJ]

Personally, I used single adjustable because I don't trust jam nuts to not back off but I also paid someone who's OCD about everything being perfect to install them when he installed the lift, axles, etc. Yes it took extra time and no it wasn't cheap.

 

[mrblaine]

Personally, I used single adjustable because I don't trust jam nuts to not back off

You still have jam nuts, how does that even work? That is about as silly as expecting to or being worried about a double adjustable being weaker somehow. If one is weak, both will be which means if you don't trust the strength of a double, then you can't trust the strength of a single because it is the same mechanics. If you didn't do the work as you stated and you trusted the mechanic to get one jam nut tight, then he can also be trusted to get 2 jam nuts on the same arm tight.

 

[mrblaine]

Also, double adjustables provide 360* of adjustability like a tie rod rather than needing to choose between 180* adjustments with single adjustable arms.

180 if you aren't dealing with protecting a grease fitting. If you are, then it is one full turn of adjustment as the smallest increment.

 

[PTMTJ]

You still have jam nuts, how does that even work? That is about as silly as expecting to or being worried about a double adjustable being weaker somehow. If one is weak, both will be which means if you don't trust the strength of a double, then you can't trust the strength of a single because it is the same mechanics. If you didn't do the work as you stated and you trusted the mechanic to get one jam nut tight, then he can also be trusted to get 2 jam nuts on the same arm tight.

You're right and I do trust Dan at MidAmerica 4wd to do everything perfectly. It didn't have anything to do with strength. I just did SA arms because it gave me a little more peace of mind.

 

[Abendage]

ON SALE and free shipping.

https://savvyoffroad.com/products/s...rm-set-new-7075-series?variant=47673155158257

The OG ones are even cheaper.

https://savvyoffroad.com/products/s...ntrol-arm-set-8-pieces?variant=47673070846193