Lib front brakes/struts on L series

PeeJay · Post by **PeeJay** » Sat Feb 11, 2006 9:41 am

I've been contemplating doing this for a bit now, but thought I might ask a few questions before I do anything.

1) If I modify the hole on the L control arm to take the lib ball joint + hub/strut does everything end up in the right place? Or does the location of the hole need to be modified?

2) Do legacy GT struts have the same or better travel than the L ones?

PeeJay · Post by **PeeJay** » Tue Feb 14, 2006 12:08 pm

Has nobody done this?? I seem to remember some talk about it a while ago.

ToyRX · Post by **ToyRX** » Tue Feb 14, 2006 2:11 pm

I have seen it done to a rally car using RS bilstein struts, I believe the ball joint hole was just enlarged but not much meat was left (he broke it twice). Also he may have had to modift the tower top mounts a little - not sure, I am seeing him in a couple of weeks and could ask him if you like.

legacytt · Post by **legacytt** » Tue Feb 14, 2006 2:20 pm

Yes you need to enlarge the ball joint hole in the lower arm and use Lib tie rod ends. You will need WRX springs as RS springs don't taper enough to fit in the tower. The L top hats will work with a little mod so they enclose the top of the spring, otherwise WRX top hats will be fine, you just need to enlarge the 3 holes in the tower to fit. Everything works fine but it will be better if you fit longer front arms and adjustable radius rods to get the best adjustment. The last one I did runs as a minimum with 0.5 deg neg camber, more if needed.

PeeJay · Post by **PeeJay** » Tue Feb 14, 2006 2:31 pm

Thanks, just what I wanted to hear!!

Chris_Rogers · Post by **Chris_Rogers** » Tue Feb 14, 2006 5:12 pm

so if I lift a complete wrx front end and use all teh bits off it then I'm set?

PeeJay · Post by **PeeJay** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 4:43 pm

Ok, I had a go at this today but didn't get very far.

What is the recommended way of enlarging the ball joint seat? I can't just drill it out because it's tapered. I tried to cut the seat out from both and swap them but that resulted in a bit of a dog's breakfast. Only other way I can think of is to just but join the two bits of the arm together and add some reinforcing.

If I end up lengthening the arms how much should I lengthen them by?

tim_81coupe · Post by **tim_81coupe** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 7:18 pm

I would have the L series arms reamed out by a machinist to fit the Lib ball joint. That ball joint takes a helluva lot of load, wouldn't want it seated wrong. Then I'd strengthen the arm by plating the underside.
I think Bratgeebah has done it this way too.

Cut & paste is a bit dodgy to me....

PeeJay · Post by **PeeJay** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 7:42 pm

Yeah, that's why I asked now, not when it breaks!

PeeJay · Post by **PeeJay** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 7:15 pm

It's nearly done.

I ended up going for the cut'n'paste method. Dad has a large number of welding certifications so I got him to weld the two arms together. I then added some 5mm round bar to the sides to give it a bit more strength. I's not going to break any time soon!

smoov · Post by **smoov** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 7:48 pm

looking good peejay. just cover them with grease and road grime, and no one has to know anything

would the yank XT6 arms work in this application?

Gannon · Post by **Gannon** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 9:32 pm

Smoov..
Looks like they do
http://corkysrocks.net/Conversion%204%20to%205.htm

Why,... you wouldnt happen to have XT6 parts would you?

PeeJay · Post by **PeeJay** » Sun Apr 09, 2006 6:26 pm

I put I in and guess what? It didn't quite fit!! I had to make it 25mm longer.

After 3 hours of cutting, welding and grinding I made up a new one today and I'm glad to say it fits! I ran out of light so I didn't quite get it all back together. Can't wait to see how it goes!

86rxturbo · Post by **86rxturbo** » Sun Apr 09, 2006 7:07 pm

its gonna look awesome with different front and back stud patterns/wheels

smoov · Post by **smoov** » Sun Apr 09, 2006 9:59 pm

unfortunately, no, but surely one could organise a pallate to come over, and then organise a group buy???

PeeJay · Post by **PeeJay** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 12:05 pm

Drat! the wheel didn't fit on!

What's the smallest size rim that will fit WRX brakes? 15"?

32ford · Post by **32ford** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 6:41 pm

has anybody ever thought about casting a five stud brake drum? I see there are people that make new brake drums for 1929 chevs so why not a five stud drum for a sube

PeeJay · Post by **PeeJay** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 4:52 pm

It works, yay!! I have only done one for now but will need to do the other side soon as driving with a wheel 2" bigger than the others gives the car a mind of it's own!!

Should look good when I get the 2" lift in!

subarursliberty · Post by **subarursliberty** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 6:16 pm

Just out of interest what size tyre are on those 15in rims. I'm trying to work out what size rims I will be getting for my Leone. Cheers.

PeeJay · Post by **PeeJay** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 8:49 pm

205/70R15

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Lib front brakes/struts on L series

Lib front brakes/struts on L series

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