Warning!

Think I will get mine on a ramp, borrow the magnet from work and MPI the bits I can get too, with a camera may try the back side as well.

Especially before 1200 mile trip round Scotland.

Oh errr Misses!

safrane said:

Oh errr Misses!

Click to expand...

You've gone all frankie h Peter.......are you ok? Lol

safrane said:

Oh errr Misses!

Click to expand...

I thought it too ! but you beat me to it

GeoffK said:

It's a month since I posted this and not one independent or specialist replied, so I got on the phone and it was of no surprise that a great many more owners had done exactly the same.
The general consensus of the trade is as we all know there is a problem but its only affecting around 2 to 3% of cars and if checked at service by someone who knows to look for the cars are safe to use, in fact members on here were more than happy to push there cars at a well organised track day.
Surely if you have gone out and bought an expensive super car, that a clutch alone costs around 2k, other expenses such as suspension components must have been considered??

Geoff

Click to expand...

Geoff,

The reason I raised this originally was because the independent I spoke to put the figure much higher than 2% or 3%.. in the tens of percent. It then transpires the independent specialist who had looked after my car for the previous 4 years had never heard of the issue AND suggested it was my fault... clearly they didn't know what to look for.. and the previous independent specialist I had used with my old car wasn't aware of it, but is now finding cracked arms. Another independent was quoted in this thread of being fully aware of the problem, but had never ever told anybody.

Members on here have had their arms inspected and been given a clean bill of health then 2k miles later BEFORE the next service/inspection they've cracked.

I have an arm that the crack is almost undetectable on the outside, however on the inside once the bush is removed it's very clear.

It's like Russian roulette.. do you want to be that "2%" with your family on board? I know what the experience was like at 30mph and I wouldn't want to experience it at anything higher! The other on the road casualty here luckily had his collapse reversing of the driveway. The pair of us have been very, very lucky.

The real kick in the man parts is that when this was raised with Maserati the cost of the front wishbones miraculously went from the mid hundreds to over a thousand pounds.. so whilst the cost of replacing wishbones because of the integrated ball joint was considered during purchase, little did people realise they'd have to be replacing them BEFORE the ball joint blows up and the price would be quadrupling.

Mark

safrane said:

Oh errr Misses!

Click to expand...

Lol - Forgot you have to re-read posts on here about 9 times before committing!!!

Any independent worth a jot will know about this issue. The smart ones will grind the casting lip off the replacement wishbone before fitting to try and mitigate future failure....

mchristyuk said:

Geoff,

The reason I raised this originally was because the independent I spoke to put the figure much higher than 2% or 3%.. in the tens of percent. It then transpires the independent specialist who had looked after my car for the previous 4 years had never heard of the issue AND suggested it was my fault... clearly they didn't know what to look for.. and the previous independent specialist I had used with my old car wasn't aware of it, but is now finding cracked arms. Another independent was quoted in this thread of being fully aware of the problem, but had never ever told anybody.

Members on here have had their arms inspected and been given a clean bill of health then 2k miles later BEFORE the next service/inspection they've cracked.

I have an arm that the crack is almost undetectable on the outside, however on the inside once the bush is removed it's very clear.

It's like Russian roulette.. do you want to be that "2%" with your family on board? I know what the experience was like at 30mph and I wouldn't want to experience it at anything higher! The other on the road casualty here luckily had his collapse reversing of the driveway. The pair of us have been very, very lucky.

The real kick in the man parts is that when this was raised with Maserati the cost of the front wishbones miraculously went from the mid hundreds to over a thousand pounds.. so whilst the cost of replacing wishbones because of the integrated ball joint was considered during purchase, little did people realise they'd have to be replacing them BEFORE the ball joint blows up and the price would be quadrupling.

Mark

Click to expand...

Mark, as someone who has built and restored cars for years it came as no surprise when I first read this thread, most of the cars affected are ten years old or considerably older, so in all that time this problem was never an issue. Wishbone failure is not uncommon on modern cars, due mainly to the use of alloys stiffer suspension and poor roads.
It makes you wonder how 3200,4200 and gransports ever stayed on the road if as you and one or two other contributers to this thread were to be believed.
Writing to government departments will result in nothing I can asure you of that, maserati response was typical by increasing the price of parts, and the public will have no sympathy for super car owners who's old cars are falling apart, remember the top gear thing about buying a super car for £10,000?
It's good that the issue has been brought to our attention but some of the remarks written in some of these posts are rather inflationary to say the least, including your Russian roulette comment!!
The good thing is we all now know to check our suspension, that's a good thing and my advice is if its faulty get it fixed and enjoy your maserati ownership, as one prominent specialist said to me the other day , you can't run a champagne car on lemonade money, .

Geoff

"Wishbone failure is not uncommon on modern cars"

I have never had a wishbone fail or heard of one failing in the manner Mark's did and that is after 30 years in the motor trade and a list of personal cars as long as both arms and legs , maybe I have been lucky.

I know this won't help but i had Morris minor for a while, many years ago, and despite there being many of these over 50 years old and it being a much respected car, it had a weak front suspension design where the lower part of the front suspension would separate from the car. I kept an eye on my suspension once i learned of this problem then, just as i am now with my 3200! I kept driving the Morris Minor and I will keep driving the 3200.

Geoff,

We now have evidence of the wishbones cracking and having to be replaced back in 2005 whilst the 4200 and Gransports were still in production. Age has absolutely nothing to do with it. Also I don't know why you're going on about cost and running things on a budget. We're all quite happy to pay over the odds for parts because of what the car is and accept they cost more to run. However when somebody attempts to milk a situation for their own benefit that has a tendency to rub people up the wrong way. Maybe you're quite happy getting ripped off every day?

There was also speculation as to whether the poor chap who lost his life in his 4200 a year or two back as to whether that had anything to do this issue.. it's a sobering thought.

I too have heard of wishbone failures on other cars, but in each case the manufacturer has done something to rectify it. All Maserati has done is deny any issue and bring out new parts!

I've had the wishbones looked at by people who know far more than me about car design and every single one has said the same thing, poor design and poor quality.

And writing to government departments is a waste of time?... If we all sat back and let "the powers that be" ride over us every day then life's going to turn pretty sh!tty pretty quickly.

Some of us have the luxury of knowing a think or two about cars and having the facilities and abilities to keep an eye on them. A lot however don't, the vast majority of cars are bought by people who are not "enthusiasts". If anybody thinks that this is at all acceptable on a 170mph car then remind me to never ever go anywhere near any car they've had their fingers on!

Mark

davy83 said:

I know this won't help but i had Morris minor for a while, many years ago, and despite there being many of these over 50 years old and it being a much respected car, it had a weak front suspension design where the lower part of the front suspension would separate from the car. I kept an eye on my suspension once i learned of this problem then, just as i am now with my 3200! I kept driving the Morris Minor and I will keep driving the 3200.

Click to expand...

Davy,

Whilst it's not good on the Morris either, I'd be prepared to accept it more knowing the era it was designed/made in and it's VMAX! Things have moved on a long way since those days and modern 170mph cars shouldn't display the same issues.

You like a number of us are lucky in having the skills and knowledge to keep an eye out. There are however lots who aren't and this issue should be known about more widely than just a select few.

Mark

This will probably be my last comment on this subject until we finally receive our letters from Maserati as to what it is they are going to do about this.

People can say I'm being a drama queen or over reacting, whatever, not really bothered about that. I'm not somebody who sits around moaning about the state of things whilst at the same time always pointing out it's somebody else's job to sort out. If something is wrong and I can help in some way, I'll put my hand up and contribute.

Looking at the people on here who were driving around with no knowledge of the suspension issues and have now replaced numerous wishbones I'd be delighted to see them one day and share a beer or two over jokes, tales and stories. If this has only saved a single person from a very bad accident, whether it be Matt (Conaero), Simon (Simon1), Greg (Highlander) or whoever.. then a good deed has been done.

Mark

Mark, i am sure i speak for the masses here, we do very much appreciate your efforts and share in your frustrations.

Having undergone the failure you did i can see why you are pushing hard to get it resolved.

Keep it up.

Conaero said:

Mark, i am sure i speak for the masses here, we do very much appreciate your efforts and share in your frustrations.

Having undergone the failure you did i can see why you are pushing hard to get it resolved.

Keep it up.

Click to expand...

Mark,

Concur with Matt

Whilst we have not seen the problem in OZ, its an important issue that needs to be advised globally - and tantamount for the manufacturer to address the concerns.

This is a primary safety concern and cannot be dismissed with a flippant comments about an aging vehicles

Totally agree with Matt. I'm very much appreciative of the issue being raised. Fortunately, because of Mark and this thread, mine was discovered early and as a result no harm came to the car and far more importantly, to me, my family or any members of the public.

This is interesting! Take note Maserati you Cockwombles!

Conaero said:

Mark, i am sure i speak for the masses here, we do very much appreciate your efforts and share in your frustrations.

Having undergone the failure you did i can see why you are pushing hard to get it resolved.

Keep it up.

Click to expand...

You do indeed speak for the masses Matt. Mark please disregard any negative comments about your efforts. I have been very interested in this thread. Keep up the fight

Conaero said:

Mark, i am sure i speak for the masses here, we do very much appreciate your efforts and share in your frustrations.

Having undergone the failure you did i can see why you are pushing hard to get it resolved.

Keep it up.

Click to expand...

Concur with Matt. Keep up the good work on behalf of us all.
Robert

I agree & support you as well Mark.

Regardless of any recall or any action I feel Maserati SHOULD take at the very least all owners should be contacted & told of this known issue.

This actually helps Maserati kind of defer responsibilty of the issues if this is their only action & not to do a deal or a recall. One serious injury or death is too greater price to pay in my mind. The replacement newer revised wishbones should be a reasonable & not extortionately price & then there is not so much of an issue.

How much is an equivalent wishbone from a Ferrari or other manufacturer of a similar supercar in comparison?