Making My Own Control Arms

[lambertius]

I have finally ordered pattern for the lower level and used for the hub, this was not having pattern and new is not in stock, so only choice... Any of you had bad experience with used parts?

Yes, that's why I started doing this.

Tensile strength 2 by 2

You laugh, but wood has great compressive strength... Wood is still used in building some spacecraft components...

Just catching up with this, they do come out, they just like a proper good fight.

We used a blow torch to burn them out...

I will get back onto this before the end of the year, but I promised my fiancee that I would finish another non-Maserati project first. I've got an entire work space with parts stacked up that have been there for a year now so I really need to get it done...

 

[Paulrv2]

I have finally ordered pattern for the lower level and used for the hub, this was not having pattern and new is not in stock, so only choice... Any of you had bad experience with used parts?

Buying SH is always a risk - I’ve bought some with mixed results but where there was issue supplier was happy to refund, replace or reduce the price paid. The risk is more when you are paying someone else to fit the SH part - if it has to be replaced you’ll be up for labour cost twice. From parts availability perspective I’ve used both Eurospares and Scuderiacarparts.com - pricing is similar.

 

[Paulrv2]

My car has turned into a bit of a saga and isn't yet back on the road but shouldn't be too far away. It was a spur of the moment purchase and I expected it to have some of the known issues but not the lot. Problems started with difficulty engaging reverse gear; was caused by a combination of factors - starting with broken T bar (replaced by Hill's product) plus a leaking power unit (replaced with good used unit) and dragging/worn clutch (replaced clutch). Suspension knocks - so new lower control arms all round and upper ball joints for the front. Missed the upper rear control arms when ordering all the other parts and now find these are no longer made! I've ordered some serviceable used units from Eurospares while I track down new - there are some around but those I've found to date are silly money - so I'll persevere with the search and hopefully find some at a sensible price. Eurospares did indicate an interest in producing a pattern part for the upper rear so will keep watching in case they progress that option. With the car apart also inspected the Cats and they don't look in great shape and are likely the cause of one of the car's rattles so I'll replace them with Larini while off the car. Hopefully that will be the lot for now!

 

[Paulrv2]

Yes, that's why I started doing this.



You laugh, but wood has great compressive strength... Wood is still used in building some spacecraft components...



We used a blow torch to burn them out...

I will get back onto this before the end of the year, but I promised my fiancee that I would finish another non-Maserati project first. I've got an entire work space with parts stacked up that have been there for a year now so I really need to get it done...

I'm wondering how you have got on with your ball joint repairs? My old lower control arms are at last in process of being replaced and I have now run into a problem finding new rear upper levers (no longer manufactured and hard to find at a sensible price) so bought some used from Eurospares, which I've been told are serviceable. If the injection process looks Ok I'll get the ones on the car at present done to keep as a spare.

 

[TimR]

I'm wondering how you have got on with your ball joint repairs? My old lower control arms are at last in process of being replaced and I have now run into a problem finding new rear upper levers (no longer manufactured and hard to find at a sensible price) so bought some used from Eurospares, which I've been told are serviceable. If the injection process looks Ok I'll get the ones on the car at present done to keep as a spare.

I think this guy no longer posts here....

If it was me, and Im sure this isnt what you want to hear, I'd get the seconds from Eurospares injected before fitting for a coupe of reasons.
1) Beyond a certain amount of wear, the ball joints dont repair with the same efficacy. In truth, Id assess the arms for condition and pick the best two, have them injected. and fit..
2)...because you dont want to fit twice to find serviceable means anything from a-z. Serviceable isnt exactly an accolade is it...? ie- fitting a known quantity (recently repaired BJ) is the aim.

In essence; buy the best you can get and have them resin injected if that isnt new. Because the longevity of the repair will be increased, you will save money and time in the longer term....

 

[Paulrv2]

I hadn’t really thought about taking that approach but can see the logic and sense behind your suggestion. Something to consider seriously. As an aside I think I’ve located more new units at close to Maserati list asking price of 1200 Euro. It’s still a bit eye watering but not as bad as 1700 Euro, which was previous offer.

 

[TimR]

I hadn’t really thought about taking that approach but can see the logic and sense behind your suggestion. Something to consider seriously. As an aside I think I’ve located more new units at close to Maserati list asking price of 1200 Euro. It’s still a bit eye watering but not as bad as 1700 Euro, which was previous offer.

Hey - I don’t envy you your situation. If you hadn’t just replaced every other part with new, I would likely not be persuaded by the logic either...

 

[MAS430]

I'm wondering how you have got on with your ball joint repairs? My old lower control arms are at last in process of being replaced and I have now run into a problem finding new rear upper levers (no longer manufactured and hard to find at a sensible price) so bought some used from Eurospares, which I've been told are serviceable. If the injection process looks Ok I'll get the ones on the car at present done to keep as a spare.

Hi, Hayden is still on maserati life, he can help you with this and is actually doing his control arms next week with the injection stuff.

 

[Lofty3200]

What do you think will happen if we can't get these arms made? I saw a driftworks video of them making a wishbone on a lambo is this the route we are all going down?

 

[Paulrv2]

Hi, Hayden is still on maserati life, he can help you with this and is actually doing his control arms next week with the injection stuff.

Ok, thanks - I'll be keen to hear how he gets on and whether he's happy with the outcome.

 

[Paulrv2]

What do you think will happen if we can't get these arms made? I saw a driftworks video of them making a wishbone on a lambo is this the route we are all going down?

Eurospares told me they would like to make a pattern part. Manufacture it in Italy as they do with the lower arms. Another option could be a remanufacturing process to recondition existing arms - I'm sure that could be done.

 

[TimR]

My understanding of the parts sold by ES was that they are the same stock that Maserati had made. So, made in the same factory, to the same spec but no longer actively produced; and bought by ES from the manufacturer..? NOT made by ES then. There would be all sorts of intellectual and actual ownership rights involved I would expect....
Crucially then, when they're gone, they're gone but perhaps I wasnt reading it right.
Matt (@conaero) knows as Im sure it was in a thread a while back....( ha, it may even have been this one as i stuggle to stay confused.com with drift thread here...!!)

 

[Paulrv2]

I understood ES have the lower arms manufactured by the sub-contractor who makes (made) them for Maserati. I took it that they were looking at a similar arrangement for the rear upper control arms. It appears Maserati have no plan to produce more

 

[Twinspark]

I understood ES have the lower arms manufactured by the sub-contractor who makes (made) them for Maserati. I took it that they were looking at a similar arrangement for the rear upper control arms. It appears Maserati have no plan to produce more

And likely never will, Fiat group have made reproduction parts for the Delta Integrale recently, hope the support for older models extends to Maserati although the 3200, and Coupe range is a bit unloved.

 

[Paulrv2]

It's January 2021 - almost a year on from my spur of the moment purchase of 2004 CambioCorsa Coupe and as of today its finally registered and on the road. The engine support pads still need replacing but now have the parts so that will be out of way in next couple of weeks - what a marathon it has been to get to where I am!

 

[philw696]

It's January 2021 - almost a year on from my spur of the moment purchase of 2004 CambioCorsa Coupe and as of today its finally registered and on the road. The engine support pads still need replacing but now have the parts so that will be out of way in next couple of weeks - what a marathon it has been to get to where I am!

Well Done you I personally think a 4200 is one of Maserati's finest GT cars that they have made.
Certainly enjoyed the two that I had and the road trips both sides of the World.

 

[rossyl]

Well done Paul

How did you get on with finding/making the rear upper arms?

 

[Paulrv2]

Well Done you I personally think a 4200 is one of Maserati's finest GT cars that they have made.
Certainly enjoyed the two that I had and the road trips both sides of the World.

Thank you - I’ve always liked the 4200 and do think it will become a classic. Car is 17 years old but will always be a classic and stylish design.

 

[Paulrv2]

Well done Paul

How did you get on with finding/making the rear upper arms?

At second attempt I located two good quality second hand units from a low kms car. First try produced two that were already well past their best - bit disappointing as organisation that supplied them should have known better. I could feel the play without fitting rhem.

 

[rossyl]

At second attempt I located two good quality second hand units from a low kms car. First try produced two that were already well past their best - bit disappointing as organisation that supplied them should have known better. I could feel the play without fitting rhem.

Well done. Definitely difficult trying to find certain parts.