19 replies to this topic

[68+86auto]

Does anyone know of any longer suspension arms ("negative camber") which are actually manufactured correctly?

 

The ones I've got from minispares have the wrong taper so they cannot be tightened up.

I'd rather avoid adjustable ones as that is unnecessary.

 

[DeadSquare]

Cut the arms a good 1" from the rubber bush end.  Space the pieces to get the required length and weld 2" of 3/8" rod in the groove either side of the arm.

[nicklouse]

Does anyone know of any longer suspension arms ("negative camber") which are actually manufactured correctly?

 

The ones I've got from minispares have the wrong taper so they cannot be tightened up.

I'd rather avoid adjustable ones as that is unnecessary.

What do you mean can not be tightened?

 

pictures of how you have assembled.

[68+86auto]

 

Does anyone know of any longer suspension arms ("negative camber") which are actually manufactured correctly?

 

The ones I've got from minispares have the wrong taper so they cannot be tightened up.

I'd rather avoid adjustable ones as that is unnecessary.

What do you mean can not be tightened?

 

pictures of how you have assembled.

 

 

The hole/taper for the ball joint is machined wrong. Some ball joints will lock in the taper but protrude too far. Others won't even lock. I am not new to installing mini suspension arms.

[68+86auto]

Cut the arms a good 1" from the rubber bush end.  Space the pieces to get the required length and weld 2" of 3/8" rod in the groove either side of the arm.

 

Too many legal issues that way. Even adjustable arms are questionable. Welding is basically not allowed.

[Ethel]

So the tapers have been machined too deep?

 

Don't they have anything to say, could be a dodgy batch.  I get sifting through them  for a good set isn't an option from your location.

[68+86auto]

So the tapers have been machined too deep?

 

Don't they have anything to say, could be a dodgy batch.  I get sifting through them  for a good set isn't an option from your location.

 

I've had them a while now. I really should contact them when I find these issues.

[nicklouse]

You aren’t using nylocs are you?

 

most still need to be used with the correct spring washer and nut. Or they don’t seat.

 

hence my question.

 

as some ball joints are not supplied with the correct parts.

[Spider]

As a suggestion and not sure if it's easily possible for you, however Karcraft at Silverwater have these Arms. Perhaps grab a known good ball joint pin and go through some of their arms at the counter.

[68+86auto]

As a suggestion and not sure if it's easily possible for you, however Karcraft at Silverwater have these Arms. Perhaps grab a known good ball joint pin and go through some of their arms at the counter.

I used to live 4km from where they are but I haven't been to Sydney in 15 years. I have been considering visiting Sydney again sometime. I wish there was a supplier like that up here.

 

You aren’t using nylocs are you?

 

most still need to be used with the correct spring washer and nut. Or they don’t seat.

 

hence my question.

 

as some ball joints are not supplied with the correct parts.

 

Regular nuts and spring washers.

Edited by 68+86auto, 13 June 2026 - 12:54 PM.

[68+86auto]

I will measure the defective arms sometime.

[Spider]

 

As a suggestion and not sure if it's easily possible for you, however Karcraft at Silverwater have these Arms. Perhaps grab a known good ball joint pin and go through some of their arms at the counter.

I used to live 4km from where they are but I haven't been to Sydney in 15 years. I have been considering visiting Sydney again sometime. I wish there was a supplier like that up here.

 

 

Sorry !!  I only just looked now !!  Have you been in touch with Matt Read ?  He favors adjustable arms, but he may well have a stash of Neg Camber Arms.

I'd actually like to get a hold of some forged blanks then do the machining myself. The holes for the ball joints, if not just the location but the angle that they are drilled at is changed, not only could the camber be changed but it would negate the need to reduce the suspension rebound as recommended by Special Tuning.
 

[Midas Mk1]

Where I worked last year I had a Mini build where the neg camber arms were drilled straight with no taper, suspect one of the main suppliers judging by the rest of the suspension.

Like you say, ball joint couldn’t seat and not fit for purpose.

Ran 1.5 minisport arms on 3 of our cars for years, all good.

Edited by Midas Mk1, 14 June 2026 - 05:08 AM.

[68+86auto]

Here are the measurements. I have measured the worst of the pair of longer arms. Even without measuring it, it looks big.

 

Both have the same thickness.

 

Original: small side 12mm, big side 14.35mm

 

New long type: small side 12.6, big side 14.55mm

 

The difference in protrusion is obviously an issue. Even if the taper does happen to lock, separating it is difficult as a ball joint separator doesn't fit properly.

 

 IMG_20260614_202353_(800_x_1080_pixel).jpg   37.48K   1 downloads

 

 IMG_20260614_202849_(800_x_1080_pixel).jpg   31.64K   1 downloads

 

 

 

[68+86auto]

 

 

As a suggestion and not sure if it's easily possible for you, however Karcraft at Silverwater have these Arms. Perhaps grab a known good ball joint pin and go through some of their arms at the counter.

I used to live 4km from where they are but I haven't been to Sydney in 15 years. I have been considering visiting Sydney again sometime. I wish there was a supplier like that up here.

 

 

Sorry !!  I only just looked now !!  Have you been in touch with Matt Read ?  He favors adjustable arms, but he may well have a stash of Neg Camber Arms.

I'd actually like to get a hold of some forged blanks then do the machining myself. The holes for the ball joints, if not just the location but the angle that they are drilled at is changed, not only could the camber be changed but it would negate the need to reduce the suspension rebound as recommended by Special Tuning.
 

 

 

I work down the road from Matt but I haven't bothered him about this yet. I know how much he uses the adjustable arms and he doesn't really have much stock of anything so I've been assuming he won't have them.

 

Blank arms would be nice. Even if these had a hole too small I could've fixed them.

Edited by 68+86auto, 14 June 2026 - 10:37 AM.