Introduction
These products are designed to enhance your vehicle's suspension performance by providing you with the flexibility to fine-tune alignment settings and reduce wheel deflection. An alignment can make or break how a car drives, though it is so easy to have wrong. By having a kit like this, you can easily dial in your car to handle exactly how you like, and then continue to change it as your driving skills and style evolve. Before beginning installation, please read the entire instruction manual carefully.
If you need assistance or have questions, please contact us at Support@seemslegitgarage.com
Spare Parts are available [HERE]
We suggest having a professional install these arms if you are not qualified to work on a car.
Safety Information
Your safety is our priority. Please review the following safety instructions carefully and follow all guidelines to avoid injury or damage to your vehicle.
Always wear safety glasses, gloves, and protective clothing while working on your vehicle.
Use jack stands of proper load rating or a hydraulic vehicle lift to secure the vehicle. Never rely on a hydraulic jack alone.
Support suspension components when removing links. The brake, knuckle, and axle assemblies can be very heavy. If they fall it can be dangerous.
Ensure all components are inspected before and after installation. This includes fasteners, suspension joints, suspension links, and heim joints.
After installation, get a professional alignment to avoid improper tire wear and steering issues. Never drive with a mis-aligned car.
Pre-Installation:
Vehicle Preparation:
Park the vehicle on a smooth and hard flat surface, set the parking brake or gear.
Loosen but do not remove the lug nuts on the wheels that will be worked on.
Raise the vehicle and support it securely.
Remove wheels and wheel liners/undertrays if necessary.
Support Suspension and Brakes so nothing can drop.
Inspection:
Visually inspect the original vehicle systems for signs of issues; example being leaking fluids or loose joints.
Inspect control arms, spacers and hardware we provide for any damage or defects. Do not proceed with installation if any parts are damaged. Please contact us to help with any issues.
Check all suspension and braking components for wear or damage.
Key Word References:
Installation Procedure:
Step 1: Remove OEM Control Arms
Locate the OEM control arms that you are replacing: Use appropriate tools to remove the bolts securing the factory control arms. to the chassis.
Carefully remove the arms: Support the suspension to ensure no components will suddenly move during removal.
Step 2: Adjust the Link Settings
Initial Adjustment: Before installation, ensure that the thread depth of the end links is adjusted to match the length of the OEM link you just removed. This will help make the alignment later easier.
Apply anti-seize lubricant to the threads to protect against corrosion.
Compare original arms and supplied arm inserts to make sure their profiles match before installing. For example, see matching profiles below.
Thread Engagement Guidelines
Always keep thread depth even on each side of adjustable links as show below.
On floating clamp connections like found on standard threaded arms and those featuring barrel adjusters, at minimum the rod end should always be threaded in past the slots in the arm as shown below. Rod end can be inserted as far as necessary to achieve alignment.
Below is an example of an acceptable setting, The threads are past the slots in the arm.
Jam nut style thread engagement Should leave no more than 15mm of threads visible. Below is an example of 15mm of threads left showing, which is acceptable.
The example below is an example and does not have enough thread engagement.
Step 3: Install the Seems Legit Garage Control Arms
Install to Chassis: Attach one end of the control arm to the chassis mounting point using the provided spacers, bolts and nuts if we provide them, or the OEM hardware if we do not (Some hardware is reused).
Install to Hub: Attach the other end of the control arm to the wheel hub.
Torque: Use OEM torque settings on each fastener other than provided front 5/8 bolts with 1/2" Allen drive. This needs 245nm torque.
Step 4: Adjustment Guidelines
Floating Clamps do not need to be completely loosened to adjust settings. Use
the minimum amount of loosing required to move the link smoothly
during adjustments for best results. This reduces deflection when tightening them down after final adjustments are made, which can change the settings.
All left hand threaded jam nuts are black.
Install sway bars while car is at ride height so you can remove all preload via the adjustable lengths. We suggest doing this on race ramps or the alignment rack.
Bump Steer
Bump-steer correction refers to the process of minimizing unwanted changes in the steering angle when the suspension moves up and down (such as during bumps). Without proper correction, suspension movement can cause unintended steering inputs, which can affect vehicle stability and handling. Bump-steer correction adjusts the geometry of the steering and suspension components to ensure that the wheels maintain consistent alignment during suspension travel, improving control and performance.
Steering Tie-Rod Ends feature bump-steer adjustment via spacers which move the steering arms in relation to the knuckle. We have some bump steer correction built into the large steel spacers. Use this setting for cars near OEM ride height. Always use spacer between rod end spherical bearing and knuckle fastener head as seen below.
Below is an example of increasing the bump-steer correction by putting spacer between the large spacer and spherical bearing. You can use up to two extra spacers here.
Torque Specifications
Chassis/Knuckle Mount Bolts: OEM Values
Provided Front Arm to Knuckle Bolts/Nuts, 5/8"-18 thread, 1/2" hex size: 245nm
Floating Clamps:
M5: (Curved Camber Arm Clamp): 11.4nm
M6: 19.8nm
Barrel Adjuster Arm Clamps (M6): 19.8nm
Step 5: Final Check
Inspection: After installation, check that all fasteners are properly torqued and secure. We recommend using a paint pen mark on the nuts to make inspections later easier. Inspect for clearance issues between control arms and other suspension and body components.
Check for Binding: It is very important to make sure the spherical bearings have room to rotate through the suspension travel and steering sweep without binding. Binding can cause failure. Move the suspension through its travel to check for binding. If something binds, adjust the angle of the spherical bearings in relation to the link until no binding is present.
Check Thread Engagement: Ensure that end links have sufficient thread depth.
Post-Installation:
Alignment: It is critical to have the vehicle professionally aligned after installation to ensure proper camber and toe settings. Misalignment can cause excessive tire wear and unpredictable vehicle handling which can be dangerous. Tow your car to a shop if needed to have it aligned.
Torque Re-check: Re-check all bolts, fasteners, and jam nuts after the first 100 miles of driving or after your first session. This helps ensure nothing has loosened due to vibrations or driving conditions.
Suggested Alignment Settings Based on Vehicle Use
After installing adjustable control arms, your alignment settings should be tailored to how you use your vehicle. Below are very generic suggested settings based on common driving styles aboard BMW style platforms (McPherson strut front suspension).
1. Street Use (Daily Driver)
For everyday driving, comfort and tire longevity are of slightly more priority, while maintaining safe and predictable handling.
Camber: Front: -2° to -2.5° / Rear: -1.5° to -2°
Toe: Front: 0 to slight toe-in (1/8") / Rear: Slight toe-in (1/8-1/4 ")
Caster: Stock settings
2. Track Use (High-Performance/Racing)
For track use, you’ll want more aggressive camber and toe settings to improve cornering grip and handling at high speeds.
Camber: Front: -3° to -3.5° / Rear: -2° to -3°
Toe: Front: 1/8" toe out / Rear: 1/4" toe-in
Caster: Increase to maximize straight-line stability and weight transfer (~8.5°)
3. Mixed Use (Street/Track)
For vehicles that see a balance of street and track driving, these settings offer a compromise between tire wear and performance.
Camber: Front: -1.5° to -2.5° / Rear: -1.5° to -2°
Toe: Front: 0 / Rear: 1/8" toe in
Caster: Stock or slight increase for improved stability {~8°)
4. Drift Cars
For drifting, you’ll want alignment settings that allow for quick steering response and control over rear-wheel traction. More aggressive toe and camber settings are typical to maximize front grip and rear slip angle.
Camber: Front: -3.5° to -4° / Rear: 2° to -2° (depending on your driving style, suspension geometry, and your power level)
Toe: Front: 0 to slight toe-out (up to -1/8°) / Rear: Toe-in 1/8" to 1/2" depending on traction levels and engine power.
Caster: Maximize for quicker steering response and more wheel self-steer during transitions
Maintenance:
Routine Inspection: Regularly inspect the adjustable control arms and related components for signs of wear or damage. Bearings should not have any play in them.
Lubrication: Reapply anti-seize lubricant to threads during adjustments to prevent seizing or corrosion. Clean threads of dirt and debris before making adjustments.
Warranty and Disclaimer:
Certain states regulate highway suspension modifications. Vehicle owner and driver are responsible for compliance with all equipment laws and regulations.
Due to the intended use of high performance products, Seems Legit Garage, LLC. ("SLG”) products and each part thereof, are sold "AS IS” and with all faults. To the fullest extent allowed by law, SLG Racing Products makes NO written, oral, expressed, or implied statement of warranty or guarantee on any product or part sold. SLG will not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, or special damages, including but not limited to, damage, injury, loss of life, loss of property or equipment, loss of profits or revenue, or claims from any individual or entity arising from the use of any SLG product.
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