Grand Am Aluminum knuckles?

[Slinky]

Does anyone know if the grand am (N Body) aluminum steering knuckles will bolt on a beretta and still use same beretta ball joint/strut/wheel bearing ect?

I saw them in this thread and thought it would shave some weight..

http://beretta.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=1317

[Wanako]

nope. you will need the ball joints, wheel bearings and outer CV joints from that grand am. You can use the same strut though, but the thing is that if you're planning on using a n-body steering knuckles, you might as well do the entire n-body brake upgrade mentioned in that write-up because none of the old L-body brake assembly will fit anymore. You will not be able to keep the same 5x100 bolt pattern that you're currently using and it'll switch it to 5x115. Make sure your wheels are dual-bolt pattern wheels. I've been told by many that have done this swap that 5x114.3/5x100 dual-bolt pattern wheels will fit fine.

IF you do happen to go ahead with the swap, be warned, that you won't be saving weight. The knuckles may be lighter than stock but the rest of the parts will be heavier.

Hope this helps.

[Slinky]

thanx for the info dude

[3X00-Modified]

Come on dude... this is how you upgrade to the 11" N-body brakes or the F-body ones. Where have you been?

All the info on the parts needed to use those knuckles is in the big brake thread.

I have some more homework to do on this setup regarding axle length and balljoint angles... Not sure if there are major issues but I know I'm about to frag an inner boot from it rubbing against itself, Not sure if it's the design of the boot, or the fact that the axle is pushed in too far causing it to touch... which would mean I need a shorter axle or axles.

I've also had a vibration ever since I upgraded to this setup... and I'm not sure if thats from an axle binding or not too...

[Kris GTwhat?]

3400-modified, has anyone else had an issue yet similar to what you're experiencing? ive been researching and seems like it hasnt been an issue. might be an axle issue though.. sounds like it to me. most people all have had 5 speed cars that have done the swap, could it be something to do with it being an auto and having the different axle?

[Slinky]

I saw the post about the brake upgrade jon i just didnt know if all the other stuff was necessary to swap the knuckle, i thought you might have to swap the n-body bearing ect just so the bigger calipers could be used, i wasnt sure.

[3X00-Modified]

Kris, I know heavywoody asked me at one time if I developed a high speed shake after doing the brake upgrade... The other common thing is we both have wheel spacers, BUT they are both designed to be hubcentric so they should hold the rim where it needs to be... Mine are so tight they get stuck in the wheel center.

And slinky, even if you used the N-body knuckle you now have the issue of the caliper bolting location changing... Its a all or none swap. And for clarity I was busting your balls on my last post, I wasn't trying to rag on you.

[Cliff8928]

I have no issues at all with my swap. Or my axles (for once!). But then again, I measured the length for the axles with all these parts installed. I'm also running (38mm) wheel spacers.

[weba]

I do remember someone else too mentioning about axle issues with this swap before, i think it was on some other site.

[3X00-Modified]

I wouldn't say its a straight up issue since the car went to chicago and back with no problems, so it may just be right on the edge of too long.

I'll update my post when I do dig into it more. I know for a fact that its the drive shaft shop that was having issues getting the axles the right length for woody.

[90GTZHO]

I rolled around without issues with the axles after my swap. I may have only got about 100 miles on them after i installed them before i tore my car apart again, but never had any problems.

Is the issue only on cars with auto trannies? Also, Jon, didnt you say the N-body swap narrows your front track by a half inch on both sides when you use the spindles and hubs together?

[3X00-Modified]

Yes the N-body setup does pull in your wheels hence why I have th 1/2 spacers just like Heavywoody. If you have factory offset or 35 offset and 225 tires they will rub against the spring perch without the spacers... Also I do not think the Axle issue is specific to Auto's because Heavywoody has a 5-speed.

The one thing is I NEVER measured between the trans and the outer knuckle to see how much that distance changed... Unfortunately since the 95 is under a foot of snow thats going to be next to impossible for me to do till it melts... but I do have a factory setup to get that measurment.

[Kris GTwhat?]

sweet. so low offsets in the front then to avoid a spacer?

[3X00-Modified]

correct... Probably around a 22mm offset will net you exactly the spacing I have... But you can probably work with a 25mm or maybe even a 30mm, but that my be cutting it close and it all depends on what tire your running too.

[heavywoody]

I saw the post about the brake upgrade jon i just didnt know if all the other stuff was necessary to swap the knuckle, i thought you might have to swap the n-body bearing ect just so the bigger calipers could be used, i wasnt sure.

Why would I put the parts there if they weren't needed? lol

I think my vibration issue was due to the worn tire I was running; with the new Dunlops, I don't have any vibration issues now.