heim jointed links OK for ST?

[tju-vette]

My C4 Corvette has a multi-link rear suspension and I want to replace the stock dogbones with heimjointed links. From reading section X.3.D this looks to be OK since any suspension bushing is allowed, but I wanted to confirm this?

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[cuda6666]

Do you like listening to clanking and banging? Unprotected spherical rod ends will usually develop clearance issues after a New England Winter of street use.

[Crusin]

I do not believe a heim joint is considered a bushing. It is a full mechanical assembly. Easy test, can you remove your stock bushing and install a heim joint without any modifications to the orginal bushing mounting location?

Just my 2 cents

[tju-vette]

can you remove your stock bushing and install a heim joint without any modifications to the orginal bushing mounting location?

Yes I can.

Crusin: do you think a full mechanical assembly, by that definintion, would be legal in ST?

[tju-vette]

Let me expand on my answer above. My plan is to replace the stock "dogbone" links that have poly bushings with Coleman adjustable links that have heim joint ends.

Like this:


I was going to replace both trailing arms and the radius rod (on both sides). I've read through all the rules for ST, SP & P but haven't found anything definitive for an answer.

[Crusin]

In ST the rules are written to say what you can do. If a modification is not listed, then you can not. Your original post was can you replace the bushings with heim joints and my reply was yes, it they are a direct replacement. Now you are showing a photo of a complete adjustable replacement control arm. I do not believe the rules mention the replacement of control arms but I may be wrong. Please check the rules closely. Also, I fall back to my orginal statement. If you could remove the stock bushing, and without any modifications to your stock control arms, install heim joints, then they could be used. However I do not see any reasonable way to fit the joints without modifications.

Please feel free to ask other, or others could chime in on this thread, but I believe the modification is not allowed in ST.

[zip4zat]

adjustable links are not allowed in ST, regardless of what is at the end of them.

There is another thread about this. http://www.comscc.com/forums/viewtopic. ... a20a86d798

[tju-vette]

Your original post was can you replace the bushings with heim joints and my reply was yes, it they are a direct replacement. Now you are showing a photo of a complete adjustable replacement control arm.

I thought my original statement of "replace the stock dogbones with heimjointed links" was clear but you're right that including the pic in the original post would have been much more helpful.

In ST the rules are written to say what you can do. If a modification is not listed, then you can not ... Please check the rules closely.

Understood. After reading the rules for SP again it is not even mentioned there or in the P rules. This would mean that they are not allowed anywhere. That doesn't seem right, even SCCA Solo 2 allows for them to be used in Street Mod class.

adjustable links are not allowed in ST, regardless of what is at the end of them.

There is another thread about this. http://www.comscc.com/forums/viewtopic. ... a20a86d798

Thanks for that link, it was quite a read.

[zip4zat]

I think you may be confusing a subtlety of our rule set. The SS and ST rules list the ALLOWABLE modifications. The rules for SP and P only list the EXCEPTIONS.

In your case, since you do not find this in the SS or ST rules you cannot perform this modification. Also, since you find no reference to your mod in the SP or P rules you are not forbidden. I hope this help clear things up. I know minute details of rules can be confusing frequently.

[tju-vette]

I think you may be confusing a subtlety of our rule set. The SS and ST rules list the ALLOWABLE modifications. The rules for SP and P only list the EXCEPTIONS.

In your case, since you do not find this in the SS or ST rules you cannot perform this modification. Also, since you find no reference to your mod in the SP or P rules you are not forbidden. I hope this help clear things up. I know minute details of rules can be confusing frequently.

OK, that's what I was missing. Thanks.