CHECK OUT OUR "SSM STAGE 2" KIT!!!
SOUTHSIDE MACHINE PERFORMANCE
Be sure to check out our eBay store
Customer Support
The SSM Stage 1 PLUS goes even a step beyond the Stage 1 Plus
and further corrects the terrible backward geometry
of the factory front suspension, by using Racing Series ball joints, the ONLY
ball joints made 100% from US materials in the USA! They are much stronger,
smoother, and longer lasting, than original GM, or any other aftermarket ball
joint.
Why Front end Geometry
is Needed
If you want to improve the handling of your ride, you must first understand what is wrong with the original geometry. From the factory, these cars were designed to understeer. To make them do this, they used a very short spindle with the upper A-arm at a steep downward angle, which results in a backward camber curve making the tires lean out of a turn, using only the edges of the tire. Not only is this bad for mechanical grip, it's also why every stock Chevelle, S-10 or G Body wears the outside edges of the front tires. Below is a diagram of the stock geometry at rest, and then in a hard turn. Notice the severe angle of the tires. All of the cornering forces are placed on a very small area of the tire.
To deal with this
problem, there are several things that will help. Simply lowering the car will
help to some extent, but not nearly enough to correct the whole problem. Bigger
sway-bars will reduce the amount of bad camber gain, but again, it's not
enough... it's like a band-aid on a gunshot wound.
To fix the bad geometry, you need a taller effective spindle height. The
"effective height" of a spindle is from the pivot center of the upper
balljoint to the pivot center of the lower balljoint. Tall spindles with
stock balljoints, or stock spindles with extended balljoint studs will
both achieve this goal.
Below is a diagram of the same car equipped with a taller effective spindle
height. Notice that the tires remain near vertical using the entire tread
evenly across its contact patch. This is key to getting the most grip, and life
out of your tires.
The 1" EXTRA tall upper ball joints reverse the backward factory camber curves for a huge increase in grip. They also raise the extremely low factory roll center to dramatically reduce body roll.
For
drag racers SSM Stage 1 Plus allows faster weight transfer and more
positive caster for better top end stability.
For lifted
cars this radically corrects poor ball joint angle and helps the arm clear the
frame when lifted properly.
The low-friction ball joints are legal for classes that require non take apart joints or OE style joints. Additionally, all low-friction ball joints have 32 degrees of swing angle for maximum suspension travel and contain no springs or plastic parts. Dust boots are not included but available if wanted. Dust boots can retain dirt and also hinder visual inspections. You get (2t) 1" tall upper ball joints in this kit.
1978 - 1988 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, Malibu, El Camino
1978 - 1988 Buick Regal, Grand National
1978 - 1988 Pontiac Grand Prix, LeMans
1978 - 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass
1982 - 2002 2WD Chevrolet S-10 And S-15
Sales terms can be found at our
website southsidemachineperformanceDOTcom/terms
RETURNS MAY BE SUBJECT TO A 20%
RESTOCK FEE AND IN SOME CASES THE COST OF THE ORIGINAL LABEL WILL BE CHARGED.
FOR RETURNS FROM OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED
STATES. RETURN SHIPPING COSTS WILL BE THE SOLE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PURCHASER.
NO MATTER WHAT.