Spohn Control Arm Adjustment

[gmartin1215]

I have the Spohn off-road-rear suspension control arms and track bar. From another forum post, one person commented tightening down the del-sphere joint as far as you could go to take care of some clunkiness. But for mixed-use (road and trail), is tightening the joint this tight the right thing to do, or should more play be allowed on the del-sphere? I started tightening down the joints and then thought that maybe more play is needed for off-road use.

 

[CaptainAmerica1]

Nope. Crank it down

 

[Dustin Jackson]

I have the Spohn off-road-rear suspension control arms and track bar. From another forum post, one person commented tightening down the del-sphere joint as far as you could go to take care of some clunkiness. But for mixed-use (road and trail), is tightening the joint this tight the right thing to do, or should more play be allowed on the del-sphere? I started tightening down the joints and then thought that maybe more play is needed for off-road use.

@gmartin1215 It may have been me that said that, yes I would tighten them down as much as you can within reason. The weight of the Tahoe will manipulate the joint regardless so get it tight or it will clunk. Tightening the joint will not reduce its flex.

 

[DirtDigler]

I have the Spohn off-road-rear suspension control arms and track bar. From another forum post, one person commented tightening down the del-sphere joint as far as you could go to take care of some clunkiness. But for mixed-use (road and trail), is tightening the joint this tight the right thing to do, or should more play be allowed on the del-sphere? I started tightening down the joints and then thought that maybe more play is needed for off-road use.

How do they perform offroad? I was looking at possibly installing them.

 

[fire730]

I’ve tightened mine up 3 times in 10k miles. Still clunking. I guess I’m not tightening them up enough. I guess I will give it another try. Either they will quiet up or I’ll break em. Lol.

 

[Staggered 02]

Hmm. Interesting. Good question, thanks for posting. Is there a specified torque range perhaps?

 

[Dustin Jackson]

I’ve tightened mine up 3 times in 10k miles. Still clunking. I guess I’m not tightening them up enough. I guess I will give it another try. Either they will quiet up or I’ll break em. Lol.

@fire730 @Staggered 02 The way I got mine to stop was to take an impact gun to it and tighten it as much as I could.

 

[Staggered 02]

^^^^ ok great. Thanks for the information.

 

[fire730]

@fire730 @Staggered 02 The way I got mine to stop was to take an impact gun to it and tighten it as much as I could.

Really?? I’m definitely not tightening it enough then. 1/2” impact??
Just to clarify; on the tool that sets the tension / preload on the bushings? I had NO idea that I needed to put them that tight.
Thanks for the info.

 

[Dustin Jackson]

Really?? I’m definitely not tightening it enough then. 1/2” impact??
Just to clarify; on the tool that sets the tension / preload on the bushings? I had NO idea that I needed to put them that tight.
Thanks for the info.

@Staggered 02 @fire730 Yes I was either going to solve the clunking or break them trying because I was fed up. I can't remember which gun of mine I used to tighten the bushings but I used that little 4 prong tool that you buy with the Spohn bar and I snugged that bugger up as much as I could. You shouldn't be able to move the joint with your hands but the weight of the Tahoe will make it articulate just fine. Spohn recommends NOT lubing the joint because they come Pre-lubed and more lube will just attract dirt. It has been 6 months and the bar is solid. I hope this helps, when I first got the Spohn bar I was like "this is trash" but now I am a fan.

 

[gmartin1215]

I just used my long breaker bar with the Spohn tool to tighten the joints up as far as I could, then adjusted it until the slot for the set screw lined up. I have not heard any clunking from my rear suspension.