Warning!

[Contigo]

Just had a chat with John C at VOSA about this and he said that the report is still ongoing and that Marks arm has been submitted as the only "failed" arm despite the fact that we have shown evidence of cracks along the same forge line etc... Maserati are conducting an Analytical report on Mark's wishbone and they hope to have a report from the senior engineer soon and we should individually receive a response in due course.

Talked to him about the fact that the prices for replacements is so high, that the bushes and joints can't be changed, that they are a timebomb waiting to happen etc and he was in majority agreement.

 

[jluis]

Just had a chat with John C at VOSA about this and he said that the report is still ongoing and that Marks arm has been submitted as the only "failed" arm despite the fact that we have shown evidence of cracks along the same forge line etc... Maserati are conducting an Analytical report on Mark's wishbone and they hope to have a report from the senior engineer soon and we should individually receive a response in due course.

Talked to him about the fact that the prices for replacements is so high, that the bushes and joints can't be changed, that they are a timebomb waiting to happen etc and he was in majority agreement.

More likely a Senior Idiot

 

[davy83]

I found this definition of the difference between forging and casting

1. Casting is the process where metal is heated until molten. While in the molten or liquid state it is poured into a mold or vessel to create a desired shape. Forging is the application of thermal and mechanical energy to steel billets or ingots to cause the material to change shape while in a solid state.
   
   so seems to me that an arm like could not be formed into that shape it must be cast. So not sure if i have got the wrong end of the stick here?

 

[daverichardson]

Davy83
Definitions are correct

 

[jluis]

I found this definition of the difference between forging and casting

1. Casting is the process where metal is heated until molten. While in the molten or liquid state it is poured into a mold or vessel to create a desired shape. Forging is the application of thermal and mechanical energy to steel billets or ingots to cause the material to change shape while in a solid state.
   
   so seems to me that an arm like could not be formed into that shape it must be cast. So not sure if i have got the wrong end of the stick here?

Arms can be forged, they are not that complex.
The corvette arms are forged aluminum

 

[Trev Latter]

Report made to DVSA along with photo. Not hopeful, but if we don't report it, nothing will happen, so nothing to lose.

 

[miket]

In the good old USA wishbones are only £376.01 at today's rate! The question has got to be asked why are we being asked to pay so much for the same item?

 

[jluis]

In the good old USA wishbones are only £376.01 at today's rate! The question has got to be asked why are we being asked to pay so much for the same item?View attachment 30066

I would venture saying that is old stock and whoever is selling it didn't realize yet that Maserati jumped the prices.
Where did you see it for sale?

 

[miket]

I've just run the part number through Eurospares and look below.....

 

[highlander]

WTF!!! I paid over a grand for one arm just 4 months ago from them, just what is going on?

 

[jluis]

Just noticed the same on eurospares site!
They seem to have several part numbers for the same car (4200) with prices completely different
I'm lost now ...

 

[jluis]

I also noticed the RH side is way more expensive than the LH side.

 

[miket]

They are taking the p*ss surely!!!

 

[Contigo]

They are all "to order" part number is wrong too.

 

[Timm]

It would be usefull first to reach out to the German comunity of Maserati drivers to tell them about this problem and report cracked wishbones to the local authority.
Is there a German forum where you can put this info?

Yes of course. We've got a german forum and also a thread about this topic: http://www.m-erdmann.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=5518. The response rate is not very high, but could increase if you describe the things that happened to you.

 

[highlander]

They are all "to order" part number is wrong too.

just checked the site. yes, all the arms seem to be reduced from where they were priced a couple of months ago when doing all four corners would have cost 8k to present price total of just under 5k..............numbers check out if you go in via 3200 AC

 

[davy83]

Don't mean to be cheeky but in my dumb mind forging is a process or rolling and pressing, like pipe mills and giant machines in steel mills that force metal ingots into billets. The suspension arms are clearly cast as they have a mottled surface finish where milling or forging makes for smooth surfaces. So how would you form such a complex shape out of solid metal billets, by force? i have never seen anything like that, so i am curious. I have seen sheet metal formed and stamped (like coke tins) but never aluminium forced into a complex shape like putty?

 

[CatmanV2]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forging#Drop_forging

Might help

C

 

[jluis]

Don't mean to be cheeky but in my dumb mind forging is a process or rolling and pressing, like pipe mills and giant machines in steel mills that force metal ingots into billets. The suspension arms are clearly cast as they have a mottled surface finish where milling or forging makes for smooth surfaces. So how would you form such a complex shape out of solid metal billets, by force? i have never seen anything like that, so i am curious. I have seen sheet metal formed and stamped (like coke tins) but never aluminium forced into a complex shape like putty?

I'm selling you what was sold to me
Yesterday I spoke to a aluminum billet milling company and they said the parts looked casted ... so who knows for sure ....

By the way, if someone has a wishbone laying around that can take measures, I can try to get a quote for machining a replica from billet aluminum.

 

[2b1ask1]

Wouldn't want a machined replica, there are a number of essential improvements that would be needed, including making the ball joints a serviceable item, increasing the material around the bushes to the maximum subframe clearances and anyone making them would need to demonstrate past experience of wishbones and a clear understanding of the loads and stresses involved.