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View Full Version : Review ALERT! Buddy Club rear camber kits for DC5


DakDak
18-10-2011, 12:17 PM
Review: Buddyclub rear camber kit, rear upper control arms for DC5

Hey boys, this my 1st review. I made this to bring to everyones ATTENTION how crap this product is. DC5's are a pain in the arse to lower as you all now with the need for for shortened tie rod ends, and tie rods that connect to the actual coilover. So one would seek out a well respected company for suspension products. E.G - BUDDYCLUB which I am now going to slander and refer to as Buddycrap. I bought coilovers, shortened tie rod ends and a rear camber kit so I could lower my car to my desired height. Roughly 2 finger gap front 3 finger gap rear. I wanted to control how much camber I got at the rear aswell so I got a rear camber kit, my goal was -1 neg camber all round. Not really a fan of camber I'd run neutral but I know that under hard cornering you gain camber. I didnt think I could achieve this with my stock rear upper control arms.

Initially I was a happy camper. I tested my new set up in the dead of night at various industrial areas and RNP and was content. But little did I know that day by day, my rear camber kit was beginning to collapse.

When I bought it, it looked like this.
http://www.google.com.au/imgres?q=buddyclub+rear+camber+kit+dc5&hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=WhR&sa=X&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&biw=1366&bih=681&tbm=isch&prmd=imvnsfd&tbnid=JuwX5balllwQ8M:&imgrefurl=http://www.velocityshop.com/product/buddy-club-p1-racing-rear-camber-kit-dc5-ep3_480.html&docid=AHyCQMckLVlpQM&imgurl=http://www.velocityshop.com/images/products/1255116952-bc-camber-re-rsx.jpg&w=500&h=375&ei=d0edTsKkLYL4mAWh-4yGCQ&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=330&sig=107452497060046898816&page=1&tbnh=137&tbnw=182&start=0&ndsp=18&ved=1t:429,r:10,s:0&tx=102&ty=75


What it looks like now after 5 months of use.
http://s1103.photobucket.com/albums/g476/dakdak1/bc%20crap/?action=view&current=4.jpg
http://s1103.photobucket.com/albums/g476/dakdak1/bc%20crap/?action=view&current=5.jpg
http://s1103.photobucket.com/albums/g476/dakdak1/bc%20crap/?action=view&current=2011-10-15144012.jpg
http://s1103.photobucket.com/albums/g476/dakdak1/bc%20crap/?action=view&current=2011-10-15144008.jpg
http://s1103.photobucket.com/albums/g476/dakdak1/bc%20crap/?action=view&current=1.jpg


About $245 down the drain.

So key points are
- I didnt notice this at all. My mechanic discovered this fault as he was adjusting my new coilovers.
-I would of went to a track day with faulty rear upper control arms and could of been in a serious accident, or worse killed my self or some other poor bloke.
- Just because its a well established company does not make it good.
- Be wary of ebay sellers when it comes to returns, you pay for the faulty items shipping there and the replacements item to you.
- Im now running hard race, you can visually see they are better and more reinforced in the section that broke.
- Check out my DIY for dc5 rear camber kit install - http://www.ozhonda.com/forum/showthread.php?156405-Dc5-rear-camber-kit-rear-upper-control-arm-install


- Happy modding
WATAJK
18-10-2011, 04:23 PM
Photos don't work but i have heard about this happening.. Not just your story
type_AHH
18-10-2011, 04:43 PM
Oh shi*t, and I just installed these very same rear camber kit on my dc5r. I wonder how long my one's will last =\
lilthug
18-10-2011, 04:45 PM
would this be verging on a vendor verdict?
mugen_ctr
18-10-2011, 06:05 PM
realistically, this comes down to manufactures fault, and not the seller, because the seller had no idea as to the fault, the only thing they can really do is either send the product back to BC and rectify the problem , or refund you for the faulty product and tryn recoup there loss through BC, had BC had more testing and quality control, this wouldnt have happened imo.... BC sold out, an used there rep to sell a poor product

Your best bet is to contact ebay them selfs, for the faulty goods, an hopefully resolve ur problem.... best of luck dude
DakDak
18-10-2011, 06:22 PM
Photos don't work but i have heard about this happening.. Not just your story

Images will be up later tonight im not at home I just put [image] in for spacing


Oh shi*t, and I just installed these very same rear camber kit on my dc5r. I wonder how long my one's will last =\

Where did you buy them? Make sure you retain the receipt and keep a very VERY close eye on them


would this be verging on a vendor verdict?

Its been almost a week and no reply. ebay doesnt offer protection for items longer than 90 days old, sadly. All I can do is alter my feedback to bad.


realistically, this comes down to manufactures fault, and not the seller, because the seller had no idea as to the fault, the only thing they can really do is either send the product back to BC and rectify the problem , or refund you for the faulty product and tryn recoup there loss through BC, had BC had more testing and quality control, this wouldnt have happened imo.... BC sold out, an used there rep to sell a poor product

Your best bet is to contact ebay them selfs, for the faulty goods, an hopefully resolve ur problem.... best of luck dude

Yea I definitely did. Im annoyed that the seller doesnt want to abide by his obligations to rectify him selling inferior stuff. Its the ethical thing to do. Lets see where this goes. If I dont get a reply by thursday which will be one week than stuff him.
l__i__l
19-10-2011, 04:47 PM
wat size wheel and offset did u have on?
Tai
19-10-2011, 05:35 PM
http://www.ozhonda.com/forum/showthread.php?156331-Buddyclub-fault
DakDak
19-10-2011, 05:44 PM
wat size wheel and offset did u have on?

I had 17x8+42 and Toyo proxes 4 205/45/r17 i think. Not excessively lowered or with crazy camber.


http://www.ozhonda.com/forum/showthread.php?156331-Buddyclub-fault

forgot about that thread =P linked them together
type_AHH
19-10-2011, 08:15 PM
Where did you buy them? Make sure you retain the receipt and keep a very VERY close eye on them



My bought mine from JDMYard about a year ago but only just installed them about 2 weeks ago. But yeah I'll monitor them thoroughly. If I see any signs of it warping I'll probably go Hard Race as well. Can I ask how much did you picked them up for?
DakDak
19-10-2011, 09:09 PM
I was lucky and able to get mine for $160 brand new of a fellow forum member. There is a company on ebay called Genesis motorsports based in Melbourne they stock them for $160. Check it out.
aaronng
20-10-2011, 09:22 AM
If the items are real genuine Buddyclub, then I can't see how the ebay seller is at fault. This sounds more like a manufacturer fault. Have you contacted Buddyclub?
Killa From Manila
20-10-2011, 01:56 PM
dakdak youre a dumbass, dont go giving the ebay seller neg rep. he did not sell u an already bent camber arm. youre problem is with buddyclub.
DakDak
20-10-2011, 04:11 PM
Update - Ebay seller has replied. Ebay has been notified. Pending reply from Buddyclub Australia.
lemmiwinks
20-10-2011, 06:32 PM
I read on a couple forums that the buddyclub rear camber kits were rubbish, so I purchased ingall's! Hopefully they hold up alright!
WATAJK
01-11-2011, 12:34 PM
Any news on this?
DakDak
01-11-2011, 02:05 PM
No word from Buddy crap. Ebay has been notified but they cant really do much. Seller has told me to send them back for inspections going to cost me 60 bucks to ship it there. I dont think its worth it. I do not want a replacement item. Then I'd have to try and recuperate my losses by selling the replacement kit which I wont because its not the right thing to do.
WATAJK
01-11-2011, 11:24 PM
No word from Buddy crap. Ebay has been notified but they cant really do much. Seller has told me to send them back for inspections going to cost me 60 bucks to ship it there. I dont think its worth it. I do not want a replacement item. Then I'd have to try and recuperate my losses by selling the replacement kit which I wont because its not the right thing to do.

They should reimburse your postage fee with your replacement item.
r3ckless
02-11-2011, 04:58 AM
I have buddyclub p1 rearcamber kit from day one. No problems here, same as my mate. But my other mate also had it and the arm snapped !

Ithink the OP got a dud one? I've ran the camber arms in positive/negative to the max with no dramas.

If i had to buy a set now, id go with hardrace, cheaper. Spehrcrrical bearing. U can get more camber (up to 5deg) :))
Stephen_AUS
13-11-2011, 12:23 AM
They should reimburse your postage fee with your replacement item.

Buddyclub do also have warranty policies. You can only be reimbursed if the product you received was damaged through shipping. Buddyclub offers the 1 year replacement warranty, though the product must be installed by a Buddyclub certified workshop, ie. 999 Automotive. When I had my Buddyclub N+ installed, one of the coilovers were seized and was damaged through shipping, since they were installed by 999 Automotive and also damaged through shipping, it was replaced with a new one. And depending on your workshop, I also received benefits from them due to all the hassles and I knew the owner of the shop. So practically good luck with a replacement, because I doubt you'd get it unless they replace it for a good gesture.
WATAJK
14-11-2011, 02:13 PM
Buddyclub do also have warranty policies. You can only be reimbursed if the product you received was damaged through shipping. Buddyclub offers the 1 year replacement warranty, though the product must be installed by a Buddyclub certified workshop, ie. 999 Automotive. When I had my Buddyclub N+ installed, one of the coilovers were seized and was damaged through shipping, since they were installed by 999 Automotive and also damaged through shipping, it was replaced with a new one. And depending on your workshop, I also received benefits from them due to all the hassles and I knew the owner of the shop. So practically good luck with a replacement, because I doubt you'd get it unless they replace it for a good gesture.

I purely dislike BuddyClub, i dislike there products, i've heard and seen plenty of horror with there products ever SINCE they SOLD OUT due to bankruptcy
Quality of products has gone down.

Thats my opinion
chauster
14-11-2011, 02:31 PM
I purely dislike BuddyClub, i dislike [b]their [\b]products, i've heard and seen plenty of horror with there products ever SINCE they SOLD OUT due to bankruptcy
Quality of products has gone down.

Thats my opinion

I took the liberty to fix your grammatical error for readability.
Buddyclub n+ are ok. Wouldn't put them on my car but I've heard good things too. Bang for buck.
WATAJK
14-11-2011, 02:45 PM
I took the liberty to fix your grammatical error for readability.
Buddyclub n+ are ok. Wouldn't put them on my car but I've heard good things too. Bang for buck.

I don't mind you doing that.
I've heard good things about the N+ myself but i agree with you.
Oxer
14-11-2011, 02:57 PM
Working with suspension components day in day out, you could have those arms fixed/strengthened if you really wanted to...
IV73CI
15-11-2011, 11:30 AM
sorry to hijack ...

WOW .....im about to install these BuddyClub P1's but for EM1 ..

anyone know if this would happen as well to an EM1?

ive seen the structure difference ..whereas the DC5 has the |---[ setup ..where the other types are |---0 eyelet type which appears to be more rigid than the DC5 [ type.

hopefully this wont happen to me :|