Longer balljoint control arms/other mods to gain travel

[sparkle]

Evening all,
Am always interested on the topic of creating more front suspension travel once lowered. Because of us having a balljoint at the bottom of the strut, RCA's or something similar won't work. Has anyone experimented with a longer threaded balljoint, or modified arms?
I would eventually rather look at this rather than modifying the crossmember, so I can retain a close to, level bottom arm.

Opinions/ideas welcome!

Sparkle

[polov8]

Not quite sure how the control arm or ball joint is going to effect the travel? The most potentially beneficial things you could do with the arms are lowering the ball joint axis to avoid a subterranean roll centre, spherically jointing where the two bushes are for greater control ( but increased harshness ), and possibly replacing the anti roll bar with a link arm then adding an alternative ARB.
I keep looking at the ball joint and wondering if it's the same dimensions as the inner front ball joint on an E46 as those can be bought separately and would be my basis for some proper front A-arms. Need to pop into euro car parts with a tape measure.....

[rob0r]

Shortening the struts and using shorter length shocks is definitely the way forward, unless you've already done this? I used E30 shocks which are 1-2" shorter than E21 shocks.

[nas80]

I think what he is after is to allow the lower arm / steering arm to be pointing downwards, I have mine level with the ground at the moment and on extreme cornering I sometimes I get wheel hop, I am looking into this also, although Im not sure the sensation is because I am actually lifting the front wheel or not.

[Jason_323i]

Yes modified subframe which raises the inner pivot (and outwards), coilovers so you get suitable compression, fabricated tubular lower arms, also it roll's on 17"s so the top of the wheel well is also modified for more clearance. It's lower than stock but not "stanced" and set up for improved handling rather than looks.

You start to go stupid low and the lower control arm hits the chassis rail and that's what limits your travel.

Jason