Could someone please explain the difference in price and quality of A-Arms. For instance, the Team Alba A-Arms or the American Star A-Arms are considerably cheaper than some of the other companys, say Lonestar for example, or Houser. Now what is the difference. I can understand differences between shocks, thats a no brainer, but not with A-Arms. What makes one so far superior to the other? I want an A-Arm for MX and Trail Riding.

Mike

 

The only dif I know of would be craftmanship, how well they are built, geometry, the style joints they use, hemi joints are going to be more expensive, and of course with everything else, the name.

Some also offer a warrenty.

 

The low end American Star Racing and Alba a arms are made of mild steel... I have the Pro Racers from American Star Racing and they are Chromoly, w hiem joints, and a lifetime warrenty. As stated above... names cost!

PS the Albas are the American Star Racing Sportsmen Plus' just under Albas name.

 

How Do your Pro Racers from American Star work? That is about the cheapest for a fully adjustable unit I have seen. Do they hold up well? How much lighter than stock, if any, are they? Sorry for all the bothersome questions, just trying to plan my quad.

 

Some brands only have upper heim joints others have both (which is great if your frame is bent like my TT banshees is). I bought a set made by a local atv shop for $400, that have upper and lower heim joints, adjustable ball joints, are made from thick chromoly, are +2, +1, and are bent on a jig so they are straight. Also, I had the mounts moved out for use with my longer shocks, and the outward mounts make the suspension work better. I could have had them make any adjustments needed. You might look at having something like this done instead of buying off the shelf. The only problem is the resale value won't be as good, but I never plan on selling.

 

for thoses of us that don't know, what the cluck is a "Hemi" joint? what's does a hemi joint look like verses a stock raptor a-arm joint

 

A heim joint is like a ball joint, but instead of the stud coming out of the ball, a bolt can be inserted through it. On aftermarket A-arms that are adjustable, you have heim joints at the point where the A-arm meets the frame. You can screw the joint in or out of the arm, thus adjusting width, caster, and camber. The ball part of the joint is bolted to the frame, and the ball pivots unlike stock where bushings are used.

Maybe a better explaination, basically imagine a tie rod end that you could run a bolt all the way through the hole in the spindle arm, instead of just the stud going into it.

 

thanxs alky, if i could, i buy you a beer

 

No problem, glad to help. I just hope I didn't confuse you. Some things are just hard to describe.



[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img] By the way, the local bar will accept credit cards over the phone[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img].