Hardrace Roll-Centre Adjusting ball joints - review

[desmondo]

Hi,

I recently fitted Hardrace Roll Center Adjusting track rod ends (bought from GT4-Play - thanks Steve!) and thought you all might like to know about the results.

So I bought these about a year ago and finally got around to fitting them at last. For background info, the car is lowered on Tein springs, which apparently changes the suspension geometry, resulting in the roll center being lowered and the car being more prone to steering anomalies such as bump steer. Now I must stress than in a year of driving without these roll center adjusters I have never once thought "crikey! bump steer!!" or anything like that, so I wasn't expecting any change at all after getting them fitted. I have always loved the MR2s direct involved steering and had no complaints about it at all.

Anyway, so i got these things fitted, got a full 4 wheel alignment done, picked up the car, and took it for a spin.

Wow!! The first shock I got was turning a 90 degree bend out of the garage - normally I would have taken my hands off the steering wheel and it would have dutifully spun back into center alignment - not any more! I got a major surprise when I took my hands off the wheel and it stayed exactly where it was in a tight turn, send me off towards an angry looking lamppost! So I panicked a bit, thinking the garage had screwed up the castor on the front wheels when aligning them, but it turns out castor cannot be adjusted on MR2 front wheels. Besides, I discovered that the self-centering returned after driving for a bit, although definitely not as strong as before I fitted these. I put it down to the new track rod ball joints being brand new and stiff. Now, after 2 weeks driving, I don't notice it any more, and the centering force on the steering wheel is just right really.

Back to the review. So i have to say the difference with these fitted is amazing! It felt like a totally different car - the steering is a tad heavier, but by no means heavy, but the car just feels so ... planted!! The front end feels rock solid, and no amount of road imperfections bother it - it just stays firmly pointed at where ever you last pointed it. Once again, I must stress that before fitting these HardRace joints I would not have said there was anything wrong with the suspension or steering at all, but now, looking back, it was definitely lighter, less planted, more skittish without them.

So there you have it. I'm proper pleased with 'em. A thumbs up for the HardRace ball joints, if you have lowered your car with Tein or TTE springs (or whatever!).

Hope this helps someone.
Matt

[1979scotte]

I have a set in the parts cupboard.
Bought them on Stupinks recommendation.
Much the same as you he felt they made a world of difference.
Looking forward to fitting them next February.

[m1tch]

Hmm I will add some to my list of shiny parts!

[jonty]

Interesting review, I definitely do feel deficiency in that area (I don't have a rear bumper bar currently until my friend welds a notch in it for my exhaust in the next couple of weeks) and I've lowered it quite a lot, so this will be on my September shopping list!

[toyofan]

Hi

Great review, but have some questions for you.

You write: I recently fitted Hardrace Roll Center Adjusting track rod ends
But I believe you mean the outer lower balljoint?

Or has Hardrace both a lower balljoint, and track rod ends available for the MR2?

I believe both should be changed for optimal  performance?

[desmondo]

Hi Toyofan,

yeah sorry, showing my ignorance there! I meant the outer lower ball joints. good catch! You might be right about both needing changing, I cant claim to be an expert on it at all!

m@

[Essex2Visuvesi]

Would you say these would be needed on Stock shocks with TTE springs?

[1979scotte]

Would you say these would be needed on Stock shocks with TTE springs?

The OP is on stock with Tein so I would think so.

[Essex2Visuvesi]

Great more expense!  s:lol: :lol: s:lol:

[Paul@TCB]

That's a fantastic review for the hard race product we're also dealers for hard race so can supply the full catalogue at fantastic prices to you guys  s:) s:)