Team Camaro Tech banner
Cancel
Create thread New Garage Forums

KMJ Tubular control arms.

Jump to Latest
21 - 40 of 87 Posts
#21 ·
I have imported directly from China a few products which were very well made
and have thought about selling them on ebay, but one thing has stopped me
so far, product liability insurance. It is very expensive on some items where
failure could be deadly. You can't sue Chinese companies so the importer is
liable. the Chinese factories copy just about everything. Someone should call
KMJ to see about liability in case of failure, just a thought. I do think these control
arms made in the U.S are overpriced, but they do the R@D and are liable for any
problems that may happen. But yes those prices look very tempting.
 
#22 ·
Assuming the steel is of adequate strength and the welds hold ( too much assuming for me right there) how were the ball joints? Any brand names on them? What material are the bushings made from? Are replacement bushings available?
 
#24 ·
Bump.
I'm about to buy these also for my daily driver, my control arm bushings and ball joints are all shot and these are just a few more bucks than a master front rebuild kit. I'm pretty nice to my car when I drive, no real hard cornering or donuts, the occasional burn out or punch it through a yellow light but that's it. My front springs are pretty tired also, gives it a great looking stance and I'd hate to throw these on and not be happy with them. Any feedback you guys could give would help thanks.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#25 ·
Whysohigh said:
Bump.
I'm about to buy these also for my daily driver, my control arm bushings and ball joints are all shot and these are just a few more bucks than a master front rebuild kit. I'm pretty nice to my car when I drive, no real hard cornering or donuts, the occasional burn out or punch it through a yellow light but that's it. My front springs are pretty tired also, gives it a great looking stance and I'd hate to throw these on and not be happy with them. Any feedback you guys could give would help thanks.
Click to expand...
I'd be much more concerned about hitting a big pot hole than hard cornering or burnouts. Nothing in even hard driving on a track (where smoothness = speed) compares to the extreme and sudden forces generated by hitting a big hole in the road.

I'm not saying buy or don't buy the imported arms; I am suggesting that thinking you can get away with a possibly inferior product because it's "only" street driving may be mistaken.
 
#26 ·
I am pretty sure when I did my conversion I bought the entire kit from KMJ. However, I do believe (correct me if I am wrong) the A-Arms are all Pro-Comp pieces.

Anyway, I have had absolutely no problems.
 
#28 ·
Who cares if they don't break?! They're NOT American made. On top of that, they're stolen from AMERICAN companies. If we weren't talking about Chinese imports, but rather stolen goods from, say a burglary, and if we possessed such loot, it would be a felony. I know, it's a bitch to figure out where stuff is made anymore by looking at the container, but just get on the web and find out. Not doing so is justifying a, well, major crime to the American way of life. IMHO, of course. Also, sure glad this thread popped up again. I missed ranting the first time.:sad:
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#29 ·
DOUG G said:
Has anyone reported any that failed....from any Mfg ?

Been looking for a while and just can't choke down the cost of DSE or Hotchkis stuff :eek:
Click to expand...
I'm very happy with my SPC adjustable uppers. I even did the alignment myself and was within .5 on the camber and caster when I took it to the alignment shop! :hurray: But that's a different subject. ;)
Carry on...
 
#31 ·
DOUG G said:
Has anyone reported any that failed....from any Mfg ?

Been looking for a while and just can't choke down the cost of DSE or Hotchkis stuff :eek:
Click to expand...
I have the SpeedTech UCA/LCA's and am very happy with them (pics in my sig). They were a couple hundred dollars cheaper than Hotchkis or DSE set. Not cheap, but a little better.
 
#32 ·
The SPC uppers are very nice - esp the newer versions with the greaseable Delrin bushings. I have those with stock lowers with Del a Lum bushings installed - happy. For the most part tubular lowers offer no advantage over stock beyond impressing the kid at Jiffy Lube. (A few will help re-center the wheel in the wheelwell)

FWIW - I plugged in my brand new Black and Decker "smart" charger for the first time and it went pffffft. As I suspected, made by the C&H Ina Co.
 
#33 ·
So far it seems that some guys will tell you not to buy a part because of their patriotic preference, others because of the price, and some because it's not name brand. Then the guys who've installed and been driving on them say they're fine. Pretty mixed opinions here, I'd like to hear more from people who bought and installed the kmj arms but I think I've heard enough to persuade my decision, thanks everyone.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#34 ·
Pretty sure all these arms in this price range that look the same are imported from China by Wysco. These arms vary in price but it always seems Ebay has them cheaper than anyone else.

That said if you want them buy them from the cheapest source possible because they are all the same arms in my opinion so why pay a premium from KMJ, Summit or Speedway for the same arms you can buy on e-bay for cheaper if these are what you want.
 
#35 ·
Just thought I would post my response i got from kmj, I asked about replacement ball joints, questionable quality and what they'd do in case of a part failure.

These control arms are a great addition to any car they will allow you to use a stock coil spring or a coil over kit. They will take factory style ball joints and bushings. We have had hundreds of people buy them and like them with any aftermarket item there will be some adjustment and you will need to do some leg work to re-align the front but that is normal. Also these will lower the car about 1.5" to 2" in the front so you do not want to use drop spindles and if you have a big block in there will want to have a little stronger and tall spring that is something you will have to figure what you need or want for height and clearance.

Thank you Seth

- kmjperformance

As tempting as the price is I will not be buying these due to one reason only, I have a big block and I'm as low as a can go already, another 2" drop would definitely put me damn near on my bump stops or the front tires into the top of the inner wheel well, whichever comes first or very possibly both with a good enough hole in the road. Thanks for all the input.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#36 ·
Whysohigh said:
Also these will lower the car about 1.5" to 2" in the front so you do not want to use drop spindles and if you have a big block in there will want to have a little stronger and tall spring that is something you will have to figure what you need or want for height and clearance.
Click to expand...
This is good to know... I can't take another 1.5"-2" hit to the ride height :eek:
 
#37 ·
just get a new spring then. it's likely your springs are worn out, too soft, the wrong spring or cut if you can't take a 2 inch drop.

springs are cheap.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#38 ·
It's not that I don't want to drop it more, it'd look nice setting on the road, I love how it sits now, it's perfect and I don't want to mess with buying the wrong springs 3 times, all I'm trying to do is replace worn ball joints and control arm bushings. I figured tubular arms with everything I need would be sweet, no messing with finding someone to press bushings in and out, but if I have to dick with guessing which springs will put me back to the height I want, it's just not worth it to me. I can't imagine a situation where I'd be left thinking, damn I really should've got those tube arms. But maybe one day, for now my wish list and to do list is long enough with another headache.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#39 ·
You could just go all-out and get the control arms with coil-overs...
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#40 ·
I bought a set of these!

Desided to change the BallJoints right away!

UBJ is now ProForged 0,9" Xtra tall. Had to open up a bit with Grinder!
LBJ is MOOG now! Had some problem with these!
Took some measurements with Micrometer, and concluded there is no chance in H{^L they will enter the lower arms!

Used a brakehone to open up the hole in the lower arm! And a 10Ton workshop press!
This was time consuming, and prooved that tollerances on balljoints are way off!

The Welds by the way looks wery good!

Have not driven the car yet!

Im not afraid of the extra inch it lowers the car since i can actualy buy a COMPLETE set of Coilovers for the front and still save money over the Hyped up stuff!


LarsPerformance
 
21 - 40 of 87 Posts
About this Discussion
86 Replies
41 Participants
Last post:
Joe Harrison
Team Camaro Tech
posts
2.4M
members
90K
Since
1998
A forum community dedicated to 1st generation Chevy Camaros owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about performance, builds, restoration, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, reviews, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
Bench Racing Engine Body Shop Performance Brakes, Suspension & Steering