Gransport Rear Control Arm Ball joint advice

irrational

New Member
Messages
15
Hi.
So while Maserati is sorting out my gearbox oil leak, they said my rear lower trailing arms need replacement due to perished dust covers on the ball joints.
I thought they were joking when they said I need to replace the whole arm, but research showed this is in fact what is normally done.

I searched the forum and there are several mentions but not quite addressing my questions with regards to impressions/performance/pitfalls down the line.

So my questions are these:
1: Are Eurospares trailing arms actual Maserati, better, worse, same? The part number(mathcing what Maserati quoted) seems updated from the original Maserati, so perhaps there was an upgrade to these arms?
2: Has anyone done the fix suggested and documented by Craig Waterman on youtube with the Formula Dynamics dust cover replacements? I would be interested to know about this fix regarding safety and longevity. I am not knowledgeable about splitting ball joints. Is this a simple enough concept without risk as it looks to be from his video. Can I have this done without having sleepless nights?
3: In case of replacement, I would assume its prudent to replace the OEM covers with the FD ones in any case.

Dirk
 

Zep

Moderator
Messages
9,110
1. In short, the ES replacement are from the same place. I know of one which when fitted made a creaking noise, so if you go ahead with them keep an ear out for that.

2. The replacement dust covers are only a solution if there is no play in the ball joints. You will need to ask specifically, are they suggesting replacement because of the dust covers, or is there play? If it’s just the covers then many here have just replaced the covers (@Gp79 has posted about this). Edit - the actual replacement is a bit of a PITA, but if you have the tools and the basic competency then it should be fine.

3. Probably not IMO. The originals seem to be lasting more than a decade, so it seems a waste. Plus, if you change the covers on a new part and have a warranty problem it might make things sticky.
 

TimR

Member
Messages
2,654
Sounds about right above...
If its just perished covers, then a whole arm is "over the top" unnecessary and expensive - Id seek clarification if it's Maserati doing the work because I suspect this is a default response....
That said, if the boots are bad, the ball joints will follow in short order...

FD offer stuff. Some of it decent, some of it not so much. All of it is over priced IMO....!!
 

Chris155

Member
Messages
196
Just be glad it's not the upper arms that need replacing.

As has been said, if there's no movement in the ball joint I would go with replacing the rubber cover.
 

exporschdrivr

Junior Member
Messages
98
So now I have the same problem. I ordered the dust covers in the US and they had to been replaced at a workshop.

As I prepared my 4200 for inspection yesterday I recognize that only 2 dust covers where replaced and the upper ones not.

So 2 Dust covers are now missing and I had to order replacement ones, but in the US they are not available anymore. And also shipping would take another 6 weeks.

Is there any source in Europe where I can order them and where shipping will be done within a week?

Thanks for recommendations
 

gemini

Member
Messages
143
I have fitted BMW telelever dust boots without difficulty on a gransport (same as 3200GT and 4200gt).
They have the same dimension and are a little bit softer than the maserati ones, so easier to put in place.

And cheap.

 

exporschdrivr

Junior Member
Messages
98
They are really cheap in comparison to the ones of FD and also the ones which where offered by a guy in the us.

Thankfully there is also a OE BMW Number. I will also order this ones at my local BMW dealer :)
 

Zep

Moderator
Messages
9,110
So now I have the same problem. I ordered the dust covers in the US and they had to been replaced at a workshop.

As I prepared my 4200 for inspection yesterday I recognize that only 2 dust covers where replaced and the upper ones not.

So 2 Dust covers are now missing and I had to order replacement ones, but in the US they are not available anymore. And also shipping would take another 6 weeks.

Is there any source in Europe where I can order them and where shipping will be done within a week?

Thanks for recommendations

Would this lot be able to supply?

 

exporschdrivr

Junior Member
Messages
98
I have fitted BMW telelever dust boots without difficulty on a gransport (same as 3200GT and 4200gt).
They have the same dimension and are a little bit softer than the maserati ones, so easier to put in place.

And cheap.


Ah, the part number mention is the part number of the ball joint which the dust cover will fit.

But anyways, I will order them since you already tested them. Thank you very much for this link!!!
 

Twinspark

Member
Messages
460
A little known fact but I believe Maserati does sell the ball joint dust boots separately, its in Eurospares as part number (387000200) for the 3200GT but obviously works fine for the later cars.

I bought it and fitted on my GS with no issues.

 

exporschdrivr

Junior Member
Messages
98
A little known fact but I believe Maserati does sell the ball joint dust boots separately, its in Eurospares as part number (387000200) for the 3200GT but obviously works fine for the later cars.

I bought it and fitted on my GS with no issues.


I think the Maserati ones are much more harder/stiffer than the aftermarket ones. And they also crack really fast...
 

2b1ask1

Special case
Messages
20,220
I just get the universal ones from Motex and get pack of 10 for £8, 4 sizes available, always seem to be able to get one to fit. Do invest in a fanny stretcher tool though. Even a cheap Chinesium one will make life s lot easier.
 

tulit

Member
Messages
110
The BMW ones fit well. Didn't even need to fight/stretch it on but it's not loose either. Still need to get some wire to tightly hold it.
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Sent from my SM-A515W using Tapatalk
 

exporschdrivr

Junior Member
Messages
98
First side done. The mentioned boot fits nicely.

Once again thank you for sharing this information.

Is there also a bether/cheaper solution for the rear tie rod? The rubbers there are also gone...
 

Twinspark

Member
Messages
460
You can get the bearings for them the part is SKF GE15C.

A few vendors offer the entire tie rod arms which are Formula Dynamics, AS Motorsports and Auto Ricambi from the top of my head.