Front Lower Control Arms: (Tubular or Standard)

Global West offers two styles of lower control arms, stamped factory style and tubular. Both lower control arms feature spherical bearings on the frame side and new lower ball joints. A spherical bearing provides for smooth movement all through the suspension travel without  bind or deflection. They are far superior over rubber or polyurethane bushings. The spherical bearings we use are also lined with a teflon seal and bearing surface. This type of bearing does not require lubrication to operate properly.

Standard lower control arm features and benefits:

1. The lower control arms are modified by boxing in the arms. This is done by welding additional plates over a specific area of the arm.
2. Control arm bushings have been replaced with aircraft spherical bearings. This requires machining  the control arm bushing location and installing special housings for the bearings.
3. New lower ball joints are also standard.
4. Control arms are shipped pre-assembled.

Tubular lower control arms are designed specifically for strength and the ability to service the control arm, both the lower ball joint and the spherical bearing are replaceable.   The arms use a twin tube design and accommodate the stock sway bar and strut rod.

Tubular lower control arm features and benefits:

1. Control arms are built out of .125 wall seamless tubing (twin tube design).
2. Aircraft spherical bearings are utilized at bushing locations.
3. Lower ball joints are replaceable. ( Note: These lower ball joints thread into the lower control arm). They are used heavily in the stock car industry.
4. Stock strut rods will bolt up or our special adjustable units can be used.

Performance strut rod bushings for Mustangs and other Ford applications definitely can use higher durometer bushings at this location.

1. High durometer bushings will control lower control arm location with limited deflection and still allow pivot over standard factory durometer. (Caution: Too high of a durometer bushing in this location can cause strut rod failure due to too much resistance in the direction of pivot. That is
   why we prefer rubber in this location over other high density plastics).
2. Performance strut rod bushings will also provide better alignment, cornering, and braking control.
3. Easy installation, no modifications.

Adjustable strut rods Adjustable strut rods are also available and can be used on the street or any racing application. To the left is an ASR-4 adjustable strut rod for 1964-66 Mustangs. The rod indexes in the frame and provides caster adjustment. The rods are shipped pre-assembled.

1. Adjustable strut rods offer more alignment capabilities for caster. Caster provides straight line
   stability and a self aligning force on the suspension.
2. Our design replaces the strut rod completely. The standard bushing located at the frame under
   the radiator is eliminated and replaced with a steel clevis.  (see picture above). An aircraft rod end is installed in the bushing's place and coupled to a threaded sleeve. The sleeve can be turned which will adjust the length of the strut rod. This in turn changes caster.
3. You should notice that our billet coupler is directional. It will index in the frame. This feature
   makes this unit superior over any other on the market. Note: Any rod end installed in this
   location must work in the plane shown in the above picture. That is why we made
   the unit directional. Any chance that the coupler would turn in the frame or be installed
   in the frame incorrectly could result in failure of the rod end.
4. Since the strut rod no longer deflects, corner entry, and front end stability are dramatically improved.
   Combine this strut rod with our lower control arm and you have a superior front lower pivot platform.

Note: The standard steering stop can be used with ASR-4.