I just bought a set of X-arms from Si at X-Eng, well bartered really

I was currently getting good travel from my QT HD arms and Gwyn Lewis's suspension set up, but I like the design principal behind the ball joint and I wanted to try them out.

First impression are that they are lot more substantial in the flesh than you expect. The CDS arms are lighter than expected though. Here's a pic of the new arms compared to the QT ones I took off..



In the pics on the X-eng website they look smaller than they do in the flesh. So here's a pic with a coin for scale..



Simon warns in his instructions that due to LR tolerances they might not bolt straight on. The first side did..



But the second side needed one of the holes widening...


I thought that was it, but when I went to fit the rear mount it would not slot in due to the bend in the mount. So much for uniform LR mounts


So out came the grinder and now it fits..



I adjusted the arms to the same length as the QT ones and tightened the lock nut on the ball joint. When I have time, I'll check the axle position to see if this is the best length or not.

Here's a couple of pics of the arms in place. The silver stuff, by the way, is an ally based anti-seize...





I've yet to try them out yet on anything taxing, but I'll let you know how I get on with them.

Cheers

Steve

They look good, those joints seem to be a substantial size - look forward to seeing how they perform.

Good piccies Steve!

Si

In a previous thread I siad I thought they looked a bit little and flimsy and fiddly but with those pics they look very beefy. Si, Shoot your photographer, the pics on your site do no justice for your product Pleaes take that in the nicest possible way, I'm chuckling while I'm typing

Having seen those pics I'm far more inclined to buy some when I can afford to upgrade my radius arms. Do you have any front radius arms of a simmilar style planned?

Steve, what are you doing with your QT ones?

get your engine fixed first.

Nige

Uncle Les? The nasty man is dissing my Photographs!

Steve's photos do look much better than mine to be fair. I guess you can't be good at everything!

The QT ones are a lot more chunky (as are Gigglepin etc) - but by adding a bend in the tube you weaken it significantly - so need to beef it up to compensate.

The X-Arms don't need the bend because the joint has so much movement (enough for +/- 45 degrees of articulation without relying on the screw threads for the rotational component!) that it would only loose you up travel if they were cranked. They are made from heavy walled CDS, but are still lighter than most of the competition, reducing un-sprung weight.

If you manage to bend them (without first crushing the tube), which I doubt - I'll replace them for free!

The feedback received so far has been terrific. I had a really nice email from a chap in Poland who used the arms + springs with Gwyn Lewis shock mounts in a big comp in the last couple of weeks saying how well it all worked together and ordered another set for his friend!

Si

We've also fitted them to our modified disco. And they work great together with the X-eng springs.

They even stay in one piece for more then one event. Standard bushes lasted about 1 weekend with 36 inch Simex and Maxidrive portals. 'Great to see they stand up so well to the abuse we throw at them!!

So now the 38,5x14 SuperSwampers are on there way.



Next weekend we will be competing in the Dutch National Challenge competition with our completely rebuilded disco after a heavy roll 2 weeks ago. Amazing what 4 determind guys can do in a short time! (bend chassis, cage, bumpers, rebuild engine, new body)

Glad you like them!

That's a very cool sequence of shots!

I had a nice email from a chap who is using them for Safari Racing. He said previously he had to replace the bushes every couple of races, but these are not showing any signs of wear yet and they have paid for themselves already in maintainance time alone.

Si

I never had a problem with the bushes giving up for 4 years then I came to Romania and I went through a set in several weeks!! Got Dflex bushes on just now and after hearing how crap they are I'm not expecting them to last very long either. Maybe I will be buying a set of these sooner than I first planned. Any chance you can through a little free gift in with a set?? something like a 200tdi disco engine with free postage would be lovley

A disco engine? - Oh, OK then! Would sir like it gift wrapped?

Si

naa. dont be silly. just stick it on a pallet!! Some people take jokes way too far

bit of a thread hijack, but what are those wheels? Need a new set to replace some tatty eightspokes and i like those a lot

They're Australian performance alloys. They are rated to over 1400KG's per wheel but cost about £200 a rim IIRC. They are available from Outback Import.

Cheers

Steve

Steve you're right about the wheel! The price is a bit less steep but still quite expensive. Ours are also fitted with Staun beadlocks. We've just ordered a new 10J set for the new Super Swampers.

Cheers Bowy

Si,
Any plans to do some front radius arms?
Pete

Yes indeed , Any plans Si , I bent both my QT ones on sat .

Interesting write up Steve, they look very good on your 90

Another winner, eh Si, you just can't stop can you

Regards
Mo

There is a plan afoot! Just a question of finding the time for development really. If said plan comes together - I think the end result could be rather cool!

Si

It all looks very good - RV getting a set?

and i cant beleive theres a picture of Steves truck with a drum brake on it.......

Not the current RV.

Wos wrong with the drum , There fine from a 300 tdi on .

not this decade then....... we gotta run with her next year, i might know what i am doing by then



correct they are 'fine' but there are things like X-brakes that are alot better than fine!

So you don't like the Watts Nth degree ones


It hasn't broken yet

Steve

Do you need to use caster corrected bushes with the X-arms? or normally one?

They're for the rear of the vehicle... Castor isn't a problem there normally

Si is talking about some front ones but they are still in development stage....

Had a funny little idea about coiling the rear of my 88" and moving the axle back..... (It's just a thought at the moment) Would these stand up to the punishment of 39's and portals....???

Its just that the X-arm instructions refer to them (offset bushes) and when I got my X-arms Si only sent me the standard bushes....?

They are offset at the axle end by nature of the design of the arms, to better clear the mounts when fully articulated. Bushes used are standard ones.

Here's some pics of messing around with them at Slindon at weekend..















Cheers

Steve

good pictures Steve i am sure though that there was one of someones Quad in that group - do post up!!!

What this one showing better articulation??




Cheers

Steve

Now that's extreme!

Chris

At least he missed the puddle this time.

Hi Steve,

nice setup! ... only one question: is really usefull to have 11" travel shocks in the front using standard LR links? ... you can really use this shock travel or the radius arms bushes will stop the articulation as for any other LR?

CIAO

Sandro

The radius arms do become the restricting factor. With the plus 2 mounts, the front springs dislocate by about 2cm before the arms stop anymore travel. So yes you are right that the shocks are not being fully extended.

The shocks are the same type fitted all round, so handy from a spares point of view and if I ever want to go to a 3-Link I won't have to change them

Cheers

Steve

I'm using the same 11" dampers on the front and I'm getting pretty much full travel out of them. The main part restricing the travel is the bushes between the radius arms and the axle, get these right and it frees it up nicely. I don't have the extra weight of a heavy diesel engine or HD winch bumper to help it flex either.