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Extreme-Duty Adjustable Rear lower Control Arms, 1983-1989 Thunderbird

Extreme-Duty Adjustable Rear lower Control Arms, 1983-1989 Thunderbird
Actual product may differ from photo.
Other products by Maximum Motorsports

$499.97

  • Part # MMRLCA-40

Description 

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Extreme-Duty Rear Lower Control Arms with adjustable-height spring perch and spherical bearings. Fits 1983-1988 Thunderbird with Mustang rear springs.

Improves traction and handling by reducing the unwanted deflection allowed by the stock soft rubber bushings and flexible stamped steel control arm.

Rated for Big Power!
These MM Extreme-Duty control arms are robust enough for hard launches at the strip by a Thunderbird with 1,000 rwhp, on slicks.

Use with Mustang springs!
The adjustable-height feature of these control arms was designed for aftermarket springs intended for 1979-2004 solid-axle equipped Mustangs.

Why use Mustang springs?
Aftermarket lowering and performance springs are no longer made for 1983-1988 Thunderbirds. These MM control arms allow readily available aftermarket Mustang rear springs to be fitted to your Thunderbird. That gives you several choices of springs, as you can use any rear spring listed for a solid-axle equipped 1979-2004 Mustang. Order a pair of Mustang rear springs.

NOT for use with Thunderbird springs
If Thunderbird springs, either stock or aftermarket, are installed with these control arms the rear ride height will be raised, compared to a stock Thunderbird control arm, even when the adjuster is at its lowest setting.

Better by design

  • Stress on the chassis torque-boxes is greatly reduced because the MM bushing design allows proper articulation of the rear suspension.
  • Spherical bearing at the axle end allows articulation while eliminating deflection.
  • Large 2" diameter round steel tube design for highest strength.

Why do I need these MM Rear Lower Control Arms?

  • You can install aftermarket lowering and performance springs. Thunderbird springs are no longer available; these control arms allow you to install readily available Mustang springs.
  • Adjustable ride height lets you change your Mustang's instant center location to tune the anti-squat percentage for optimum traction.
  • The stock Thunderbird rear lower control arms are fitted with very large, soft rubber bushings. Those bushings allow the axle to shift fore and aft, causing the toe of the rear tires to change. Toe changes cause instability as the rear of the car steers itself in unpredictable directions.
  • Deflection of the rubber bushings allows axle wind-up during acceleration, which in turn causes wheel hop.
  • MM Rear Lower Control Arms were designed by our engineering team to eliminate fore/aft movement of the axle, while also retaining the suspension's ability to properly articulate. This improves performance without unnecessarily compromising handling or ride quality.
  • Potential of torque-box damage is greatly reduced because the MM design with spherical bearings allows the suspension to articulate easily.
  • Manufactured by MM in the USA.

Fits 1983-1988 Thunderbird. Includes adjustable-height spring perch and a swaybar mount for a stock-style rear swaybar.

Included:

  • Pair of assembled rear lower control arms
  • Urethane end cap shields for spherical bearings
  • Grease for the urethane end cap shields
  • Installation instructions

Related Products

When your Thunderbird has over 400 rwhp, urethane rear lower control arm bushings will have a shortened lifespan. You need rear lower control arms that are a step above the rest. Maximum Motorsport's adjustable Extreme-Duty RLCAs provide ride height adjustability, which allows installation of readily available late-model Mustang rear springs without causing excessive lowering. Ride height adjustments are essential to tuning for the optimum launch. These Extreme-Duty control arms are robust enough for hard launches at the strip with 1,000 rwhp on slicks.

  • Rated for Big Power: 1,000 rwhp
  • Adjustable ride height allows installing common late-model Mustang rear springs without excessively lowering the car.
  • Adjustable ride height lets you change your instant center location to tune the anti-squat percentage for optimum traction.
  • Improves traction by removing unwanted sources of deflection.
  • Eliminates deflection allowed by rubber or urethane bushings and the stock stamped-steel control arm.
  • Does not cause the suspension binding typical with common urethane bushings and solid bushings.
  • Once deflection is eliminated, so is wheel hop. The quad shocks are often unnecessary.
  • Improves rear suspension stability and consistency.
  • Easy adjustment; no need to jack the car off the ground.
  • Fits both stock-style Mustang springs.
  • Fits with 2.5" coil-over style springs.
  • Large spherical bearing at both ends of each control arm completely eliminates unwanted deflection, while allowing proper articulation of the suspension.
  • Plated steel reducer inserts in the spherical bearings
  • Strong and stiff round steel tube construction
  • Adjustable-height spring perch
  • Durable black powdercoated finish
  • Hard-anodized aluminum jack-bolt
  • Grease fitting to easily lubricate jack-bolt threads
  • Designed and manufactured by MM in the USA.

MMRLCA-41 Heavy-Duty series Adjustable Rear Lower Control Arms for 1983-1988 Thunderbird

Fits

  • 1983-1988 Thunderbird with Mustang Rear springs.

Does NOTfit

  • Thunderbird springs
  • 1979-2004 Mustangs, or any other Fox chassis vehicle (exception noted below) due to differences in control arm length.
  • Although the length is correct for the Fox chassis Lincoln Mark VII, this control arm will NOT fit because the airbag suspension does not have the proper spring perch on the chassis.

Some answers to commonly asked questions:
http://www.maximummotorsports.com/faq_rlca.aspx

We're working on FAQs for this product. If you have a question, please use our Contact Us page to email your question. We'll answer by return email, and also consider it for possible addition to this FAQ section.

For detailed technical information:
http://www.maximummotorsports.com/tech_rear_susp_rlca.aspx

2-1/2" springs with MM RLCAs
Using the MM Adjustable Rear Lower Control Arms along with our weld-in upper spring adapter allows the use of standard 2.5" (inside diameter) coil-over springs.

Why use coil-over springs in the stock location, on the control arm?
Because the coil-over springs have a linear rate, and are available in a much wider range of spring rates. This can help when fine-tuning a car's handling to suit the driver's preferences. It's particularly useful when coil-overs have been installed on the front of the car, but not the rear.

We recommend this setup for track use only; for street use a traditional rear spring is much more suitable.

Important Note
Fine-tuning of spring rates in 25 lb/in increments is possible by using this control arm along with standard coil-over springs and the MM 2.5" rear spring adapter.

You can read Maximum Motorsports' highly detailed MMRLCA-40 Thunderbird Extreme-Duty Rear Lower Control Arm installation instructions before purchase.