4200 CC Coupe upper rear control arms

Paulrv2

Junior Member
Messages
87
Hi all. I have a clunking noise on going over bumps on my 4200 2003 47000mls. Not all the time but on bad potholes etc. Any ideas what it could be, as coming from both sides but rhs more noticeable . Any pointers on repairs/ replacement would be great. Thanks very much, neil
You will need to check whole rear suspension. In my case one side had more wear but all upper and lower track control arms were worn to point of needing replacement. Finished up replacing the lot - front and rear ☹️ Rear uppers were biggest issue as new NLA and first set of used rears were no good either. I also found one other cause of rattles in car was Cats were disintegrating so had to fix those as well - went with Larini but long wait for them. I’m finally picking the car up this week having taken 8 months to get it all sorted!
 

Twinspark

Member
Messages
460
I think if you can catch the ball joints early. you can have them injected.

The rear tie rods i think can be sorted with new bearings and they are at least 4 vendors selling the arm new.

But overall the wishbone situation with these cars is sad.
 

Gp79

Member
Messages
1,393
I think if you can catch the ball joints early. you can have them injected.

The rear tie rods i think can be sorted with new bearings and they are at least 4 vendors selling the arm new.

But overall the wishbone situation with these cars is sad.
Where can you get the ball joints injected? In the UK
I have an old rear upper with worn ball joint that would be good to get repaired for a good spare.
I enquired at one place but was told as the wishbone is not steel it wouldn’t handle the injection pressure.
 

Paulrv2

Junior Member
Messages
87
The first pair of used uppers I purchased were clearly worn as I could feel the play. I sent them for injection (Brisbane in Aus) and one came back good but whole BJ assembly started to come out of the aluminium casting on the second one. The guys who did the work have successfully done Maserati control arms before and said this was a first.
 

Paulrv2

Junior Member
Messages
87
Where can you get the ball joints injected? In the UK
I have an old rear upper with worn ball joint that would be good to get repaired for a good spare.
I enquired at one place but was told as the wishbone is not steel it wouldn’t handle the injection pressure.
The injection process is direct into BJ assembly so wishbone shouldn’t be affected. To be successful need to catch it before it has reached metal on metal stage.
 

Paulrv2

Junior Member
Messages
87
Thanks for that, I’m sure you can’t wait to get your beauty back!
Yep - sure am; it was spur of moment purchase at auction earlier this year. I expected some of traditional issues but got the jackpot including control arms exhaust and new clutch!
 

Neil robinson

Junior Member
Messages
110
Hello all, back to the rear lower control arm saga. I see eurospares have replacement fanbloc for the arms. Am I correct in thinking this is just another name for a bushing? If so I think I may have seen somewhere a rear control arm bushing set, but I cannot remember where from, anybody know? Can the bushings be replaced on their own and what has to be bad before the control arm gets replaced. I’m really floundering here so some (much needed) advice would be greatly appreciated. I’m getting clunks from the rear going over potholes etc. TTFN neil
 

safrane

Member
Messages
16,749
it is the name for the rubber bushes.

Is the rear clunky noise not from the lower one as the ball joint is known weak point.
 

Paulrv2

Junior Member
Messages
87
Yes it is the lower one. Can I change the ball joints out?

Afraid not - only choice is to inject ball joint if they haven’t gone beyond repair or replace the whole control arm. I did the latter using Eurospares pattern parts.
 

Paulrv2

Junior Member
Messages
87
Hello all, back to the rear lower control arm saga. I see eurospares have replacement fanbloc for the arms. Am I correct in thinking this is just another name for a bushing? If so I think I may have seen somewhere a rear control arm bushing set, but I cannot remember where from, anybody know? Can the bushings be replaced on their own and what has to be bad before the control arm gets replaced. I’m really floundering here so some (much needed) advice would be greatly appreciated. I’m getting clunks from the rear going over potholes etc. TTFN neil

There are several aftermarket options for the bushes including “superformance” in uk. However, based on my experience most likely cause of the clunks is worn ball joints which means replacing the control arm ☹️
 

Zep

Moderator
Messages
9,110
Hello all, back to the rear lower control arm saga. I see eurospares have replacement fanbloc for the arms. Am I correct in thinking this is just another name for a bushing? If so I think I may have seen somewhere a rear control arm bushing set, but I cannot remember where from, anybody know? Can the bushings be replaced on their own and what has to be bad before the control arm gets replaced. I’m really floundering here so some (much needed) advice would be greatly appreciated. I’m getting clunks from the rear going over potholes etc. TTFN neil

Its another name for a bush, but it is a specific design intended to reduce geometry change under load, so three metal sleeves and a thin bit of rubber.

They can be changed and it does transform the car if they are a bit aged, however it’s not as easy as doing it on a Volkswagen. They need the centre cut out and either a special tool, some precision grinding and a 10 tonne press. They go back in a bit easier.

If your ball joint doesn’t have play, take off the arm (sadly this involves dropping the subframe to get the bolt out), remove the dust seal and re-grease it and it should keep going for a long time. Change the bushes and the toe link spherical bearing and you are good to go.
 
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