BMR Swaybar Problems On Track (Solved) - Page 3

TrackClub · 06-13-2020, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1LE76G

Yeah he has a pic of it on one of his Facebook posts. Was trying to decide if it would be kosher or not if I posted it on here

Right. Up to you obviously, but i gather FB is as public as this forum? But I respect your decision either way. Cheers!

Badmojo · 06-13-2020, 10:22 PM

I haven't checked my bushings after the last open track day at VIR from earlier this week. I had some noise coming from the sway bars, but nothing like what I experienced during the SCCA Time Trials when the bushing split. There was tons of noise and massive oversteer when the front bushing squeezed out. I'll report back after I inspect the bushings, but my feedback to BMR is that they aren't "fit for purpose."

There is a ton of potential benefit from having adjustablility in the sway bar rates, especially if you are running a 305 square set-up like me. If you can't trust the hardware, then it's worthless.

FYI, I came in second place by .182 seconds.

Stephen12ZL1 · 06-14-2020, 06:16 AM

yeah, unfortunately some of BMR's products and instructions aren't appropriate for road course use. Cars and coffee crowd cruising and driving to Wal Mart are the only thing some of their products can actually do. They need to review the directions on all of their products as GM's torque values are not used in some cases.

TrackClub · 06-14-2020, 09:53 AM

Clearly, if a key part responsible for a car balance at high speeds breaks, it is completely unsuited for the purpose not to mention: unsafe. Good to see first hand feedback from track going folks to inform the community here.

Generally speaking, our community would be better off if we posted any issues sooner vs later and with no reservations. Imo it is good to support aftermarket industry, but only if they make quality products that work as intended and as advertised. Otherwise zero progress is achieved and the wallet needs to be emptied again. Cheers!

TrackClub · 06-14-2020, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Badmojo

I haven't checked my bushings after the last open track day at VIR from earlier this week. I had some noise coming from the sway bars, but nothing like what I experienced during the SCCA Time Trials when the bushing split. There was tons of noise and massive oversteer when the front bushing squeezed out. I'll report back after I inspect the bushings, but my feedback to BMR is that they aren't "fit for purpose."

There is a ton of potential benefit from having adjustablility in the sway bar rates, especially if you are running a 305 square set-up like me. If you can't trust the hardware, then it's worthless.

FYI, I came in second place by .182 seconds.

Great driving! Great vid showing effective modulation of controls incl trail braking, to maintain balance and momentum. Great aid for anyone aspiring to go faster.
Congrats on P2! What tires were you running on? Cheers!

1LE76G · 06-14-2020, 10:25 AM

Let me know if this works

carguy55 · 06-14-2020, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1LE76G

Let me know if this works

Looks like impact with the ground during the roll over

TrackClub · 06-14-2020, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1LE76G

Let me know if this works

Thanks! Is this the only pic available? Cheers!

1LE76G · 06-14-2020, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrackClub

Thanks! Is this the only pic available? Cheers!

Yeah that is the only one that I can find.

GTO_Gregory · 06-14-2020, 08:53 PM

Regarding the BMR swaybar bushings splitting. That the first I've seen anything like this.
I've got Hotchkis swaybars and the bushings that come with them. If it were me I'd lookup some circle track suspension vendors and see what they are using. If mine do this I'll find some bronze bearings and get the local machine shop to machine up some aluminum cradles to hold the bearings.

Msquared · 06-14-2020, 10:43 PM

I got mine yesterday and installed it with the supplied bushings. I autocrossed the car today. So far, so good. I'll keep a close eye on the bushings. FWIW, the Hotchkis and AFE bars appear to come with the same bushings, but supplied with machined brackets instead of the stamped ones BMR provides. I'm not sure they should be any better, because that bracket still doesn't look very beefy. If mine have issues, I'll see if those Ford-purposed ones fit our stock brackets.

TheRealJA105 · 06-15-2020, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Badmojo

I haven't checked my bushings after the last open track day at VIR from earlier this week. I had some noise coming from the sway bars, but nothing like what I experienced during the SCCA Time Trials when the bushing split. There was tons of noise and massive oversteer when the front bushing squeezed out. I'll report back after I inspect the bushings, but my feedback to BMR is that they aren't "fit for purpose."

There is a ton of potential benefit from having adjustablility in the sway bar rates, especially if you are running a 305 square set-up like me. If you can't trust the hardware, then it's worthless.

FYI, I came in second place by .182 seconds.

Thanks for chiming in Scott. I agree with the massive oversteer when my front bushing split. I will unproudly admit that the last time it happened I continued to drive the rest of the day even though it split the first session. I just had to slow it down, listen to the banging, and know how it would handle. Was very squirrely in the esses at Pitt Race.

I will also say that the one time i went to the drag strip last year i completely unhooked my front bar. Idk how people do that as the car was scary and almost undriveable on the street. I could keep it on the strip but it was very floaty and I will definitely never ever do that again.

TrackClub · 06-15-2020, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheRealJA105

Thanks for chiming in Scott. I agree with the massive oversteer when my front bushing split. I will unproudly admit that the last time it happened I continued to drive the rest of the day even though it split the first session. I just had to slow it down, listen to the banging, and know how it would handle. Was very squirrely in the esses at Pitt Race.

I will also say that the one time i went to the drag strip last year i completely unhooked my front bar. Idk how people do that as the car was scary and almost undriveable on the street. I could keep it on the strip but it was very floaty and I will definitely never ever do that again.

Ya da very brave man! I will leave it at that

Badmojo · 06-16-2020, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrackClub

Great driving! Great vid showing effective modulation of controls incl trail braking, to maintain balance and momentum. Great aid for anyone aspiring to go faster.
Congrats on P2! What tires were you running on? Cheers!

Thanks for the compliments. I'm running 305-30-19 square RE71R's.

06-14-2020, 06:16 AM	#31
Stephen12ZL1 Drives: '21 ZLE A10 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Mechanicsville, VA Posts: 6,808	yeah, unfortunately some of BMR's products and instructions aren't appropriate for road course use. Cars and coffee crowd cruising and driving to Wal Mart are the only thing some of their products can actually do. They need to review the directions on all of their products as GM's torque values are not used in some cases. __________________ '21 ZLE A10 Wild Cherry PDR 2:00.78 VIR Full 10.68@131.69 1.68 60' '17 ZL1 A10 Mosaic Black PDR/Nav 2:03.08 VIR Full 11.003@129.2 1.75 (sold) '15 Z/28 #325 Black a/c & stereo. 2:10.1 VIR Full (sold) '12 ZL1 A6 Black 10.52@131 1.55 60' 2:13 VIR Full (sold)

06-14-2020, 10:25 AM	#34
1LE76G Drives: 2017 SS 1LE Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: NC Posts: 63	Let me know if this works Attached Images

06-14-2020, 08:53 PM	#38
GTO_Gregory Drives: 2016 Camaro Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Texas & Uncle Sam's Choice Posts: 123	Regarding the BMR swaybar bushings splitting. That the first I've seen anything like this. I've got Hotchkis swaybars and the bushings that come with them. If it were me I'd lookup some circle track suspension vendors and see what they are using. If mine do this I'll find some bronze bearings and get the local machine shop to machine up some aluminum cradles to hold the bearings. __________________ 2024 Chevrolet 3500HD Z71, LTZ, 4x4, 6.6 ltr. L5P long-bed. 2016 Camaro 2SS Six-speed, Hotchkis sway bars, Eibach .750" drop springs, Mamo throttle body, E85, BMR stuff. 2006 Quicksilver 6-speed GTO ERL LS3-430, All-Pro 285cc heads, 262/273 .758/.742 116+3 cam, Sheet-metal Intake, 70lb Siemens injectors, SLP, GMM Ripshifter, QA1 Coil-overs front and rear, nylon suspension bushings, Hotchkis, RPM Trans, SPEC twin clutch, SpinTech, Kooks 1 7/8 -2.0", BMR drive train, Kaaz 3.91, Lingenfelter CAI, Baer brakes, mini-tubs, E85.

06-14-2020, 10:43 PM	#39
Msquared Drives: Chevrolet SS 1LE Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: St. Charles, MO Posts: 1,446	I got mine yesterday and installed it with the supplied bushings. I autocrossed the car today. So far, so good. I'll keep a close eye on the bushings. FWIW, the Hotchkis and AFE bars appear to come with the same bushings, but supplied with machined brackets instead of the stamped ones BMR provides. I'm not sure they should be any better, because that bracket still doesn't look very beefy. If mine have issues, I'll see if those Ford-purposed ones fit our stock brackets. __________________ Matt Miller 2020 SS 1LE

06-14-2020, 09:53 AM	#32
TrackClub Drives: 2020 SS 1LE (previous: 2017 SS 1LE) Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Canada, eh! Posts: 5,091	Clearly, if a key part responsible for a car balance at high speeds breaks, it is completely unsuited for the purpose not to mention: unsafe. Good to see first hand feedback from track going folks to inform the community here. Generally speaking, our community would be better off if we posted any issues sooner vs later and with no reservations. Imo it is good to support aftermarket industry, but only if they make quality products that work as intended and as advertised. Otherwise zero progress is achieved and the wallet needs to be emptied again. Cheers!

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