350Evo has added new toys to their suspension lineup. New on the list are rear radius arms (trailing arms) with spherical bearings. In addition to being beefier than the OEM arms, the 350Evo arm ditches the rubber bushing for a solid one. What this allows is less flex when the suspension is under load.

Track junkies, or anybody with a lowered / stiffer suspension should consider these arms since they provide a smoother more precise suspension. Since an altered suspension essentially changes the suspension geometry, binding among the bushings can occur and adversely affect how the suspension functions. Spherical bushings minimize this bind. If there are any engineers in the house, perhaps they could provide a diagram of how the suspension moves when it's under load, etc.

I installed these the other weekend while I was at VIR and put them through the tests. The rear end of the car felt more poised as I thrashed the car over the curbing (using all the track I could). I honestly can't say my lap times were all that much improved, but the rear end felt more balanced under load. Also, I had assumed that the solid bushings would be noisy, but they exuberated none whatsoever. Now I just need to replace the rest of the my suspension with spherical bushings... I've been converted...

Note the larger girth of the new arms and the pretty spherical bushings.

 

The only challenging aspect of the installation was breaking some of the bolts loose, as the radius arms bolts are torqued on really tight. Plus there isn't clearance for an impact wrench or breaker bar. You also have to disconnect the LCA and other connecting arm to be able to swing the brake / hub assembly out of the way in order to remove the trailing arm.

The end result:

 

Are you planning on getting the rear camber arm too?

Nice review.

 

IM me John... let's chat about these.

Later.

 

Yes, very soon. After advancing to R-compounds, I realized that my -1.7 was too little (judging by tire wear)... I want to try with -3, especially in the front...

I'll try and call you tomorrow Chris... If you don't hear from me, give me a call (in case I forget)...

 

how much did you pay for the rods?, can i use them in a non-lowerd suspension? i had a little accident and my radius rod is bent very bad so i need to replace them.

thanks,

 

they don't make them anymore - very old thread you're looking at here. Buy them from another company