Rear upper control arms - ball joints repair

[ecarca]

Dear All,

Does anyone have a clue on how to repair the rear control arms. I purchased the dust covers from Craig but it was already too late and they're gone on both sides. However the dust covers were put to good use on the lower arms.

I am since recently leading a racing team here (one of the reasons I am a bit away from the forum because too busy) and we have access to plenty of suppliers that can do any kind of work. As opposed to the front arms, you can't just cut the back out to put a replacement in because of the design.

At this stage I am left with 2 options:

1. Make replacement arms (we'll use racing technology to make something better than the original, not casting)
2. Buy second hand ones
3. Repair but it seems unlikely doable

I am not sure there is any decent way to repair these. If you have idea, please share.

I'd be more than happy to be able to find a solution that you could replicate in a local machine shop there, or even work with a machine shop here to repair arms sent over.

Cheers

 

[richard_masa_4200]

I'm sorry but you're out of luck. They are a replacement arm job.

 

[ecarca]

It is actually a bit trickier than that

Mine is like this:



But I found this too:



This seems to be the coupe/spyder version of before 2003.

Because of the design of mine (newer version), I cannot try to make a repair like the project going on for the front, like this:



However, it seems to be a job doable on the other design. So then the question becomes: Do the older ones fit on the newer versions and GS?

Because I am sure you can machine the older ones so that they become a repair job like it was done for the front. It seems both version go by the same part number, which means the design on mine is just an update. So probably the older version fits as well.

 

[richard_masa_4200]

Interesting. Why would they change to the throw away version. The older version is much better for repair, but maybe it's a strength thing. Good luck.

 

[ecarca]

Used ones go for about 350 USD on Ebay, not sure if the ball joints are good on these...
Making new race spec ones would cost something like 800 USD, I think new Maserati ones go for 900 USD or so.
Obviously it would be good to repair older versions but if they were updated because of structural weakness then it makes no sense anymore and we are stuck with buying new ones.

 

[Swedish Paul]

Looks like more material on the newer ones, especially around the point where they crack.....

 

[ecarca]

I ended up purchasing a used set from Craig, he is saving my life once again!

Probably that update was done because they were aware they had a weakness so I guess it is not worth repairing an older version... unless you already have it and are sure there is no fatigue in the metal.

 

[hodroyd]

We are working on something, but for the future, not yet..!!

 

[Fair2]

We are working on something, but for the future, not yet..!!

I am very interested to here if there is a work around replacement strategy.i would be very interested in participating /purchasing even if I have to put on a shelf!Can you make this a "Stickey" so it is not missed. Thanks.

 

[onlinesys]

I am interested too and so are all the 3200GT owners over here as a lot of us will be looking for the alternative solution soon.
Thanks

 

[hodroyd]

We will keep Forum Members posted on progress, see the thread.....WARNING..!!

http://www.sportsmaserati.com/showthread.php/16105-Warning!?highlight=wARNING

 

[ecarca]

We are working on something, but for the future, not yet..!!

Let me know if I can help, I have shops here as I said. They are good at doing but not necessarily at thinking or designing. I received my replacement set from Craig in the US, so I am more than willing to take my set to the machine shop and try stuff. Unless you are only thinking about the older design.

The shop I am working with does stuff for AP racing and other good brands, most of the race teams if not all here work with them.

The price for one set of race spec replacements was 800 USD, it might be less for a good quantity and I can give my arms to them too so they can work on it.
If it's a repair only (provided there is a way) it will be cheap.

Cheers

 

[onlinesys]

Hey Ecarca, I am interested and I am in HK. please keep us posted.

 

[ecarca]

Ahah, in the ferry coming back from HK
I will see if there is anything doable when I have spare time on my hands. Will keep you posted. Cheers

 

[Dean Kuan]

Ahah, in the ferry coming back from HK
I will see if there is anything doable when I have spare time on my hands. Will keep you posted. Cheers

Hi, would love to have a new solution.

Did my dust cover replacement on September. Realise that mine ball joint also gone. Wanted to remove the whole arm but seems need to lower the subframe for the upper arm removal.

I spoke to a rally car chasis builder here which can make a steel ones with serviceable ball joint. Just need to send him a set of arms.

At the moment my plan is to get it repaired. Working on the injection kit now.

 

[TimR]

Hi, would love to have a new solution.

Did my dust cover replacement on September. Realise that mine ball joint also gone. Wanted to remove the whole arm but seems need to lower the subframe for the upper arm removal.

I spoke to a rally car chasis builder here which can make a steel ones with serviceable ball joint. Just need to send him a set of arms.

At the moment my plan is to get it repaired. Working on the injection kit now.

https://www.sportsmaserati.com/index.php?threads/making-my-own-control-arms.30592/