How important is double adjustable front upper control arms (vs. single adjustable)

[IPerkWVU]

Looking at Metalcloak arms with their 10% off sale, how finite will front adjustments need to be, the upper double adjustables carry a premium I'm not sure is worth the coin. Long term plans include 4" springs but for now I'm staying with 2.5" lift.

I'll already be hassling with my single adjustable rear upper core 4x4 tier 3 arms in the rear when the time comes.

 

[MutantNinjaTJ]

The double adjustable arms are easier to "adjust" once they are on since you don't have to remove the bolt on one end to twist it like a single adjustable. I don't think they offer any tighter tolerance adjustments over single adjustable, unless they come with a higher thread pitch. (more threads per inch), than the single adjustable ones do.

 

[IPerkWVU]

The double adjustable arms are easier to "adjust" once they are on since you don't have to remove the bolt on one end to twist it like a single adjustable. I don't think they offer any tighter tolerance adjustments over single adjustable, unless they come with a higher thread pitch. (more threads per inch), than the single adjustable ones do.

Yeah, I think I need to stop being cheap and just poney up the extra dough, I know I'll thank myself later

 

[Sundowner]

Yeah, I think I need to stop being cheap and just poney up the extra dough, I know I'll thank myself later

How many times are you going to adjust them once they're installed and set to the correct length? Shouldn't the Kevlar™ bushings help to keep any excess wear and tear at bay, thus making for a longer-lasting arm?

 

[MutantNinjaTJ]

I went with the single adjustable and once they are set it's a done deal.

 

[Sundowner]

I went with the single adjustable and once they are set it's a done deal.

Exactly! And with the self-centering feature, the joint housings never end up laying somewhat sideways in the control arm mounts; that's a huge visual disturbance.

 

[IPerkWVU]

I went with the single adjustable and once they are set it's a done deal.

Good to hear the other side, I think double adjustable arms are highly mentioned here, about $100 difference in my shopping cart for the 3 sets i need. I'll be adjusting once when I eventually make the jump to 35's but that's a year out at least.

@Sundowner On the Kevlar bit do I hear a bit of sarcasm lol? Not buying for the Kevlar marketing hype, mostly just positive feedback and a slightly lower pricetag than the Currie or savvy set with a few less zerks to hit.

 

[astjp2]

Well with the single adjustable arms you cannot get an exact measurement, it is only a half revolution of the thread pitch. @mrblaine explained that to me when I was working on adjusting my custom single adjustable arms. For some, close enough is good enough. For Blaine, he is more exact in his requirements. .060 vs .001 in adjustment capability. If you can measure that accurately.

 

[mrblaine]

I don't think they offer any tighter tolerance adjustments over single adjustable, unless they come with a higher thread pitch. (more threads per inch), than the single adjustable ones do.

You don't understand arms and threads then. With DA, you have infinite fine control over the length. If you turn the barrel 1 degree, half of that, or even 1/10 of that rotation, the length of the arm will be adjusted by that miniscule amount. If you have a single adjustable, you are limited by 180 degree rotations and the length change is exactly half of what the thread pitch is per 1/2 rotation.

Not that it matters for length though, just ease of adjustment. I've never seen where the fine adjustment matters.

 

[mrblaine]

How many times are you going to adjust them once they're installed and set to the correct length? Shouldn't the Kevlar™ bushings help to keep any excess wear and tear at bay, thus making for a longer-lasting arm?

If you watch some of the threads where folks are trying to dial out vibes and the continual adjusting to do so, a DA arm is infinitely more valued than a single.

 

[mrblaine]

Well with the single adjustable arms you cannot get an exact measurement, it is only a half revolution of the thread pitch. @mrblaine explained that to me when I was working on adjusting my custom single adjustable arms. For some, close enough is good enough. For Blaine, he is more exact in his requirements. .060 vs .001 in adjustment capability. If you can measure that accurately.

There is a big difference between observation and requirement. I don't need that level of capability, I do highly enjoy the ease of adjusting and the fine control over the length is a comparison value only to show the difference.

 

[mrblaine]

I went with the single adjustable and once they are set it's a done deal.

That is 100% correct. Now, about the path taken to get them set? Or, what happens if you make a change, different belly up perhaps, missed on the tire size and need to move them around in the wheel wells, add some gear and now it vibes a bit? Yep, they are set and a done deal, until they aren't and the aren't part is what matters the most.

 

[mrblaine]

Good to hear the other side, I think double adjustable arms are highly mentioned here, about $100 difference in my shopping cart for the 3 sets i need. I'll be adjusting once when I eventually make the jump to 35's but that's a year out at least.

@Sundowner On the Kevlar bit do I hear a bit of sarcasm lol? Not buying for the Kevlar marketing hype, mostly just positive feedback and a slightly lower pricetag than the Currie or savvy set with a few less zerks to hit.

If you aren't buying the hype, don't support it.

 

[IPerkWVU]

If you aren't buying the hype, don't support it.

Fair point, while I don't agree with the gimmicky nature of their sales practices I can appreciate positive user feedback and and the slightly cheaper price.

I'm looking to replace both lower sets and front uppers, it's about $225 difference when comparing both DA sets, that money will go towards the jeep for other essentials.

My jeep is one of price compromise using higher (not highest) quality parts. You won't find any rough county or baracade type parts on mine but will find items like warn sliders, m8000, steel UCF transfer case tuck, core4x4 W/ jj's etc.

 

[jjvw]

I appreciate the double adjustables on mine. I've made several changes and adjustments since buying them with a few more in the future. Because it is relatively easy, I am probably more likely to make the effort of making those refinements.

 

[Sundowner]

If you watch some of the threads where folks are trying to dial out vibes and the continual adjusting to do so, a DA arm is infinitely more valued than a single.

Different situation, there, and no argument that it's more valuable. But still, it's MetalCloak...so I won't do much more than make fun of it.

 

[jjvw]

... But still, it's MetalCloak...so I won't do much more than make fun of it.

Good reasons would be helpful. I'm no fan either. I mostly understand why a bushing is not the most appropriate tool for that particular job, despite Metalcloak's efforts to engineer their way out of the inherent problems while marketing the imaginary benefits of the irrelevant qualities.

But until more people start reporting tangible drawbacks and meaningful problems with their Duroflex bushings, the arguments against are largely academic to most users.

 

[mrblaine]

Good reasons would be helpful. I'm no fan either. I mostly understand why a bushing is not the most appropriate tool for that particular job, despite Metalcloak's efforts to engineer their way out of the inherent problems while marketing the imaginary benefits of the irrelevant qualities.

But until more people start reporting tangible drawbacks and meaningful problems with their Duroflex bushings, the arguments against are largely academic to most users.

That info is out there. By and large we've been asked to stay out of it. That sorta went by the wayside when MC made up some bullshit on FB which Gerald fairly well ignored until they just wouldn't leave it alone. Finally he had enough and started posting up the pics he had saved from every MC equipped rig that came through the shop with blown out joints. It was not an inconsequential number.

 

[jjvw]

I trust the info is (or was) out there. I just haven't been able to find it.

 

[Sundowner]

My arguments against them are partially based on the product itself - "a solution looking for a problem" is how I heard it best described - partially based on their track record of issues, and partially based on their business morals, which I personally find reprehensible. I don't like companies that won't answer reasonable questions, and that treat said questions as liabilities instead of the concerns of a potential customer; I had that happen on two separate occasions with them. As a result, I wouldn't care if they had exclusive all-access passes to the Holy Virgin's boudoir; I'm just not going to do business with them at all, and I encourage others to do the same. I'm also a complete dick, so I go about all of this in the most subversive and self-entertaining way I can muster (without spending much effort).