Fed up with adjustable control arms - how low on stock arms?

[jeromium]

As the title states, I'm fed up with my adjustable upper control arms (SPC x axis), having had multiple ball joint failures since installing them and suspension 4 years ago (KW Street Comfort). I've gone through periods where everything was fine for months or close to a year, and other times when I can't seem to go 2 months without one or more failing. It's just not fun anymore, car sounding like a clunker all the time. My shop had parts on the way, but I'm basically over it at this point and tempted to back to full stock suspension and wheels, just call it quits.

But before I do, I am curious if I were to raise it to a much less aggressive drop, and put the stock control arms back on, how much of a drop could I really get and have camber within spec? And given that minimal drop, would my 20x10 et25 wheels with 295/40/20 rubber just look silly? I'm thinking yes but I'm not sure. If yes, then I might as well just go back to stock suspension and wheels.

Curious on anyone's thoughts and experience. Here's the current look, which I love, but...it's exhausting.

Screen Shot 2025-04-13 at 9.32.54 PM.jpg

Screen Shot 2025-04-13 at 9.32.13 PM.jpg

[Smac770]

The front camber is a set formula. As you lower the vehicle, the camber becomes more negative, at -1' (1 minute or 1/60 degree) per -1 mm.

Obviously, to have front camber "in spec" [B8.5 Q5, -24'±23'] requires the vehicle to be near its proper ride height. You'd need to put the arms back on, measure the camber and see how far from -47' you are, and then you'll have an idea how many mm you need to raise it to get back to at least -47'. Or -50' or -60' (-1°) or whatever camber you're willing to run.

For example, the 30mm lower riding RoW SQ5 is -55'±23'. So you could easily go for -78' (-1°18') and be within the 8R 1BD spec. It's really whatever camber you want to run your tires at. Pick a camber, your height is set. Or pick a height, your camber is set.

[jeromium]

That's great info, thank you. I'd forgotten about ROW, that is a great reference point. I remember scouring the forums for pictures of different drops and fitments when I was trying to decide on my setup, and coming across a few ROW mentions. I'll have to look again. I remember it looking pretty good and I'd probably be happy enough with that kind of drop, the main concern at this point is how my wheels & tires would look at that height. I'll do some digging.

If anyone coming across this has a minimal drop with beefy 20s, feel free to drop your info & pics.