andrewshu3

iTrader: (2)

To mods: I figure this will be of interest to quite a few members here, so I started a new thread. If this should be continued in the other spc thread then go ahead and merge it for me please, thanks!

So lets get to it:

Before: is350 lowered on megan coils. horrible camber ate up my front tires @ less than 15000 miles.

Purchased all four megan arms from teamsns, IS300 SPC front camber kit from markyboy21

I tried real hard to install the megan arms on my own, but they are a real PITA to get out. So in the end I just brought everything to tommy @ musicbox in south el monte here in socal.

Here are photos of the install:
Before:

After:


Comparison of stock to SPC ball joint:





with the lock ring removed, the stock ball joint is ready to be pressed out of the upper arm:


Tommy skillfully removed the stock ball joint with no damage to the upper arm or the joint itself:


We discovered the outer lip of the upper arm needs to be shaved a bit to provide clearance for the sliding mechanism. Tommy the pro got it PERFECT:
Before:


After:


Fitted:


Photos of the joint installed:







FIRST ISx50 in the US to have adjustable front and rear camber!
Beautiful:




Alignment and front tire change were performed at King's tires in El Monte
Results:




Review:
Megan Arms: To those of you worried about increased road noise, as far as I can tell, they don't add any perceptible amount since I'm already on Megan coilovers. Ride quality doesn't really change much either, aside from the fact that the rear feels a little stiffer.

SPC front camber kit: no problems whatsoever.

So to conclude:
1. SPC IS300 ball joints part number 67525 WILL FIT the ISx50 except for AWD models [not tested].
2. Megan arms are nice
3. Chris at TeamSNS, Mark (Markyboy21), and Kings tires in El Monte are superb vendors and CL members
4. Tommy @ Musicbox (626-823-2853) in El Monte is THE MAN. If you're in socal or even norcal, I would HIGHLY suggest you go to him to get this (or any mechanical/electrical work) done. He's already got the experience and does a really professional job for a very reasonably price. Don't attempt to DIY this if you don't have the proper tools!

Andrew

projectdna

iTrader: (56)

looks great. i will definitely go this route. subscribed.

2slow

iTrader: (5)

Are the Megan arms noisy?

lobuxracer

iTrader: (2)

Where did the "before" numbers come from on the alignment? Were they before installing the new ball joints or are those the numbers after the install when everything was just best guess?

andrewshu3

iTrader: (2)

The before numbers are from after the install. We just eyeballed things.

FIGS

iTrader: (11)

My main concern with the megan links is the inner joint. It a welded endgagement between the sperical carrier and the stud. Not a single peice design like a high quality rod end. Just be careful, a guy in isfanatics posted up pics of his is300 trac links


To replace that many links with this design I would be very cautious and inspect things frequently.

Did you really pay roughy $175 per link set?

2slow

iTrader: (5)

WOW, that sucks.

Will you guys make something for our camber figs?

FIGS

iTrader: (11)

I have been working on it for some time. I have the rear lower control arm designed and just trying to make a decision on the eccentric peice.

This is what my solution would be...correcting on the bottom not the top.




The fewer adjustable linkages the better as if you adjust too many links you may have a resulting geometry that will not cycle clean. Also adjustable links are inherently weaker than a solid tubing section, so I would put safety as my primary concern. With multi-link suspensions, there is some reliance on the rubber bushings to allow slop in parts of the suspension travel...just so things do not bind. If everything is replaced with solid bearings they you can have stress spikes on the links.

By leaving the vertual upper pivot point alone I would hope to reduce the amount of stress on the system. If it cannot move freely with no shock installed, chances are it will fail when you are driving at some point. That is no fun.

Fig

2slow

iTrader: (5)

Looks promising. Keep us updated!

tnogi

iTrader: (23)

Oh whoa very nice!!


toHn

Mv350

iTrader: (23)

me likey!!

Eldr1dgE

very cool..i'm wondering if all four megan arms are necessary to correct the camber/toe? can you get away with just using the camber arms?

lexusscturbo

iTrader: (12)

Hmnn since the suspension is interchangeable on the 2IS and 3GS I wonder if the the IS300 SPC front ball joints will fit the 3rd gen GS?

andrewshu3

iTrader: (2)

well, if the upper arm on the gs is the exact same as the is...and if the diameter of the ball joint mount is the same, then i think its worth trying. If you're really carefull and dont damage the ball joint when you press it out, you can still salvage the upper assembly in case it doesnt work. at least tommy was able to do it. give it a try, purchase an spc ball joint, take off your upper arm, do some guestimates on the ball joint mount diameter (you cant measure it for certain until you pop off the ball joint..)and then decide if you want to go all the way by pressing it out.
if it doesnt look like itll fit, at most you'll be out of the restocking fee and some labor fees (or time if you decide to try yourself)

svntwosix

iTrader: (3)

Hey nice writeup and pics! I was wondering how bad was the tire wear for the front vs the rear.

After getting your coils installed, did you get an alignment? Did that help much?

I'm trying to decide if I should just purchase all these before installing my coils and doing my alignment.