Upper Rear Control Arms - Advice about identifying play please (Chris Wilson advice?)

[Sheefa]

All

 

Heard mixed reports on these.

 

I picked up some low mileage ones recently, have cleaned up and ready to fit. There is a little play i my existing ones hence want to swap over now.

 

Having spoken to a few people I'm a little confused. Some knowledgable people (mechanics) say that if you cannot manually detect any play in the main joint then they are good and OK to fit. This means mine are good.

 

Others say they use the small rubber dots to detect condition on the bottom of each joint. I.e. if they are worn and only some rubber dots are visible then the arms have been rubbing on the subframe and therefore are wearing/worn and need replacing.

 

Has anybody got some PROVEN information to support any of the above claims? I want my car to be tip top so need to know please. Mr Chris Wilson I imagine your expertise in this area are warranted!

 

Picture of rubber dots attached.

 

 

 

 

Thanks

 

Greg

Edited May 26, 2013 by Sheefa (see edit history)

[bignum]

If there is any play in the bush you`ll feel it by grabbing the centre where the bolt goes through and wiggling it in/out motion and up and down.the rubber does look slightly worn but thats where it moves in the subframe, how "low miles" is that supposed to be btw ive had them out of 100k cars with less wear on them.

[Sheefa]

Thanks Si this was my thinking. Better off to just buy new in that case.

[bignum]

Thanks Si this was my thinking. Better off to just buy new in that case.

 

It may be ok mate, were you thinking of getting them swapped at the same time as the clutch? if not just bring them arms over and i`ll have a butchers. the 8th is ok btw mate!

[Sheefa]

It may be ok mate, were you thinking of getting them swapped at the same time as the clutch? if not just bring them arms over and i`ll have a butchers. the 8th is ok btw mate!

 

Yep! You boys are going to be busy! Would be ideal if I could get it all done mate. I'm going to buy new so I know they're mint, not worth saving a couple hundred when I know they won't last as long as new.