UPDATE: CFM Front Tubular Control Arms

[CFM Focus]

Below are pics of our first set of revised tubular front control arms. They are now gusseted near the heim joint for additional strength. This improvement will eliminate the weak link which led to a failure in the original design.

HTPerformance has offered to assist us with the testing of the current design and will be installing them on one of their daily drivers which sees consistent autocross duty. They will be keeping us updated with results so stay tuned!

[Focusing]

nice nice keep us posted.. this is one of the parts that im looking to buy... i was just gonna ask what happen this control arm... keep up the good work...

[macdiesel]

That looks allot better. Thanks for continuing to develop more parts.

[sweetfocus]

you can adjust camber right !!!!, cause i'm looking to get a set because i can not find a good camber plate.... when do you think they we be available???

[focalized31]

Whooo lookin forward to install pics, an progress notes......

[Take_That_Subspace!]

What is the weight difference between these and the stock arms?

[blueovaldave]

Originally Posted by sweetfocus

you can adjust camber right !!!!, cause i'm looking to get a set because i can not find a good camber plate.... when do you think they we be available???

You don't like the LCR plates??

[HTP Designer]

Originally Posted by blueovaldave

You don't like the LCR plates??

There is no need for the LCR camber plates if you buy these arms. You will be able to adjust the bottom of the link which will then change your camber. Unless you plan to change your camber frequently, then these arms will do the job nicely.

We have run two sets of Focus Central arms on our two cars for the past 4 years with only little problems here and there. I must say that we are glad to have switched to the new CFM units do to the much better material choice and overall setup. The CFM units require less setup and install much quicker than the FC units. We have them on one of the cars now and are extremely pleased so far.

We will be posting pics later today or tomorrow and will be doing a full write up following this weekends autocross. The car will see a full 4 hours of driving round trip plus the autocross time on top of that this Sunday.

[ehancock]

Correct me if i'm wrong on this. If you adjust the camber from the bottom of the strut assembly wont it put more stress on the top strut mount and possibly cause issues?

I'm excited about this. Let us know how it goes!

[HTP Designer]

No, you will see absolutely no adverse effects. Like I said, we have done this for years and so do many other race teams.

[ehancock]

Excellent, thanks

[Chaney]

amazing piece!

[t3-rex]

Cash in hand to order the first set that rolls off the line. PLEASE keep us updated on the ETA of these to go on sale.

[SVTADAM]

I saw these in person this weekend. Though I didnt get a good look at the gusset, they look very nice. I hope to get a set of these eventually.

[sweetfocus]

Originally Posted by blueovaldave

You don't like the LCR plates??

they dont sell them anymore..

[paulhaskew]

Thanks for the update guys, once I see the report from HT Performance and everything checks out I will reorder.

[ClintB1321]

will their be any way these can be avalible with longer ball joint studs to help with roll center correction on lowered track foci concerned about proper camber curve under load?

[HTP Designer]

Product: Central Florida Motorsports Tubular Front Control arms part #6-0050
Includes: Prothane Polyurethane Bushings
Options: New Chassis Hardware with kit part# #6-0050bolts



Test Vehicle: HTPerformance 2002 SVT Focus with D23 Swap
HTP Adjustable Toe arms
Ksport Kontrol Coil Overs
Prothane bushings through out
Eibach Sway bar kit
SVT brakes w/ SS lines Power Slot rotors

Test Vehicle Purpose: Daily Driver and weekend warrior

Front camber: -1 deg

Rear camber: -.5 deg

Suspension system: Ksport Kontrol coil over system.

Amount of drop: ~4”

Tire: Falken Azenis RT-616 215/45R16 200AA 8.7”sec width 23.6” OD 8” tread width

Wheel: 16x7 OZ Ultraleggera 42mm offset



As some know or for those who do not, HTPerformance and Central Florida Motorsports have a good standing relationship with many ideas on the table. In a discussion I had with Hector from CFM, a solution was purposed in order to make the CFM Tubular Front Control Arms stronger so that they could take further abuse, be it driving mistakes or intense track use. With that said, it is my opinion as the Chief Designer here at HTPerformance that with enough stress or abuse, any component will fail. As I like to say, performance is not just strength but rather the highest strength to weight ratio possible. Added material is not always for the best but a light part is not always safe. A well designed part must achieve both within a respectable range of parameters.

We have run Focus Central (no longer exists) Tubular Front control arms for over 4 years now with no issues besides maintenance of the rod ends. The FC arms were difficult to setup because of the stock metal sleeves that needed to be swapped over from the stock arms to the FC units. This usually required heating the sleeve up to press it off then sanding the powder coat off the FC arm in order to press the sleeve on to the FC arm. The FC arms use a thinner wall material that has stood up to most abuse but has been known to fail. I believe some of this could have been contributed to user error but that will never be known nor would I like to open that up for discussion.

The Central Florida Motorsports Tubular Front Control Arms seem to have solved most all the issues:

1. The tube of the CFM arm that retrains the rear Prothane bushing is now thicker wall and has a larger OD (outside diameter). What does this mean? It means the frustrating metal sleeve from the stock arm is no longer in the equation. Install your new Prothane bushings that come with the kit into the rear bushing holder and slide it over the CFM arm. It is as easy as that. Also, this is the point in which the FC arms failed. Since the CFM arms are thicker here, I do not see this happening any longer. Two major points of excellence in the CFM front control arms.

2. The CFM Tubular Front control arms use an improved rod end at the end witch has allowed better alignment with no signs of binding. No binding equals better drivability which equals more fun and control in the driver’s seat.

3. The gusset added to the end of the arm has made the NEW CFM units significantly stronger and I DO NOT SEE THIS PORTION OF THE ARM EVER BREAKING. The gusset has tied to the two end points into a nearly straight line witch will transfer force much better than the previous version.

4. The CFM arms are stiffer and lighter than the stock control arms. This means you can expect less wheel hop and better weight distribution. Both characteristics which are vital to the fun factor and faster lap times.

5. The CFM arms are fully adjustable at the arm/knuckle attachment point. The use of high quality QA1 rod ends have allowed for a huge range of camber adjustment. Those who are running a lower suspension system can now go with out buying camber plates if they so choose. The reason being is that the bottom of the wheel can now be pulled in or pushed out be screwing the QA1 rod end in or out. For those who change their camber frequently at the track, camber plates could still be used which will then nearly allow an infinite amount of adjustment for stock suspension height all the way down to vehicles dropped more than 4 inches like our test car.

We have been running the setup for more than two weeks now with one auto cross and are very pleased. We are happy to have made the switch to the CFM Tubular Front Control Arms. The car feels great; adjustment was easy and straight forward. We were able to get the car right were we wanted it. Minor draw backs that can addressed would be;

1. Advise customers to use blue loc tite on hiem joint jam nut

2. Use two jam nuts on steering knuckle studs instead of nylon lock nut. This will make assembly and disassembly much easier.

After 2 weeks of hard use and a few New England pot holes:





We apologize for the dirt and grit, but that's the real world. This car gets beat on day in and day and we are just not nice to it.

[HTP Designer]

I foresee the need to replace the rod ends about once every year or two. We did order up rubber boots for the rod ends and will be installing them soon. The boots will prolong the life of the rod end and will allow those who would like to install them and forget them, some security that everything is good down there. Checking things over every oil change we feel is good practice for all components.

We do not recommend lubing the rod ends . This can cause grit to stick to the grease which will lap the metal down and cause the rod end to wear quicker.

HTPerformance will be your northeast supplier of the CFM Tubular Front Control Arms. We will be providing the rubber boots with the kits.

Look for further cleaned up pics this week.

[White_Lightning]

Price?

[cfmfocus2]

We are currently working on the price. We make a post once the price has been set.

[HTP Designer]

Quick update:

Finally got around to installing one of the rubber boots onto a new set of rod ends that come with the CFM Tubular Front Control Arms. The fitment was tight but we do like the end result. I think the pictures speak for them selves on how much longer these rod ends could last with the boots on them. We are going to try one set of boots that are one step larger and evaluate which ones are the best choice.

Will update again when we try the next size up.

[sweetfocus]

i just replace the front bushing on my control arm, would i need the new bushing???


Price???

[blueovaldave]

Subscribing to keep up with updates.

PM me when pricing comes out. I daily drive and track my car.

[t3-rex]

I need...I need...must have for track car. I'll be sleeping in your parking lot until you release them.