GUYS, Please help me with this RH Upper Control Arm

[jdpolzin]

Hello guys, I have been reading this site for a while but this is my first post. I really need help with the Right Hand Upper Control Arm. Mine is a one piece arm and the parts stores only have the ball joint side of a 2 piece design. From my reading, I have found that there are in fact 2 different designs. Which is better, the one piece design or the 2 piece design? Also, where in the heck can I get a one piece? If I am going to mess with this I would like to utilize the design that is better. I have read that the reason for the 2 piece design is to help with the front end geometery and problems caused with the torsion bars. Please help me with this info, I took the front end apart today and now I am stuck bumming rides until I find these parts. The part number I have is K8710. Thank you kindly! ------Jeremy

 

[John_Rock]

Welcome to the website Jeremy.

Interesting timing on your questions. I don't know which if better.

But, my truck has the two piece design. And I ordered a new one through Bob Utter Ford in Sherman, TX. They gave me the one piece design. The guy said its a newer design. Hmmmmm. Well, I will put it on and try it out.

I paid $78 for it. I think Bob Utter Ford's prices to be very competitive.

 

[IZwack]

I dont think there is a better design between the two and I think the change to a one piece is for ease of manufacturing.

 

[chad551]

The 1 piece is correct.

Chad

 

[CDW6212R]

The two piece started because of worries of achieving proper alignments. Evidently that has not been a problem over the years, so the one piece design is becoming the common choice. I'd use either, but know that the two piece design doesn't leave as much room for larger wheels(inner clearance). Good luck,

 

[jdpolzin]

Thank you for the nice welcome and good advice! My only worry was after reading this:
http://www.carcomplaints.com/Ford/Explorer_Sport_Trac/2003/tsbs.shtml

In the Suspension:Front portion it says there is a new designed upper control arm for torsion bar suspension. I was wondering which was the new design : one piece or two piece?

I also find it awefully strange that none of the parts stores carry the one piece design. All of them just have the BJ portion of the two piece design.

Here is another page on rollovers due to improper right hand control arms:
http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0geu_Mzo...rrollover.com/sport-trac-rollovers/index.html

And here is another talking about this NEW design:
http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0geu_Mzo....com/Ford/Explorer_Sport_Trac/2003/tsbs.shtml

 

[jdpolzin]

Ok guys, here is a link to RockAuto.com. On this page, you will see that they offer the one piece design and the two piece design for the 2wd models. Now if you look at the two piece design, it states "Problem Solver". Do you guys think this is the correct one for comensating for this improper arm for torsion bar suspension? Thank you again for your help! You guys are great!

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,carcode,1414538,parttype,10401

 

[MountaineerGreen]

If you don't have alignment issues, the 1 piece would be my choice.

 

[CDW6212R]

Ditto, there should be no issue. A rare truck might need more adjustment, but as said, most companies are making the one piece design. My two new Ford UCA's four years ago are as original, the right arm is two pieces. Get which ever one is easiest to find, I'd guess a 99.5% chance of nothing being off. Good luck,

 

[jdpolzin]

Ok, I actually took the truck in for an alignment because it is pulling to the left and thats when I was told all 4 ball joints are bad and needed to be replaced. The dealership wanted $1080 to replace them. I told them I could never afford to pay them that much. I will probably just order the one piece arm. We just have not been able to find it becuase they are not in any of the listings but now that i have a part number, we can get it. Thanks for the help by the way!

 

[MountaineerGreen]

Lower and upper ball joints can be done for ~$250 in your driveway, check the "my writeups" link in my signature, I did writeups for both step by step with lots of pictures.

 

[jdpolzin]

I just ordered my MOOG control arm from Oreily's on the phone. i cant say enough about the guys working there! They actually sold me the MOOG one piece part for the same price as the MasterPro two piece part that I bought! That saved me about $38! These guys have been very helpful all day! What do you guys think of their MasterPro brand because thats what the other 3 BJ's are?

 

[jdpolzin]

Actually I have read your posts quite a few times! Very helpful information! I am a member of www.turbobuick.com which is a Buick Grand National forum. I really love these forums becuase they are extremely helpful! I dont know how they ever fixed anything in the old days! Of course aour cars nowadays are much more complicated!!

 

[CDW6212R]

Yes, don't you wish that the T-types had an OBDII computer. We can tune our 96+ vehicles now by internet.

How much were those upper arms? I paid near $90 each from Ford four years ago.

 

[jdpolzin]

Yeah I hear ya!! I run a FAST XFI system in my GN and I just have the stock ECM in my Ttype. If you are running a stock ECM, you have to get a chip burned. The FAST is very cool though! I havent figured out how to tune with it yet becasue the car is not together completely. The MOOG upper arm was $84 for me but they normally charge $129. The MasterPro upper arms were right at $84 each side and the lower ball joints were $14.99. I know some people say dont get the cheaper ones but at least they are greasable and have a lifetime warranty.

 

[CDW6212R]

I just installed $36 Moog lower joints, they are high quality parts. I hope that the top ball joints will last a while, I'm tired of doing maintenance work. Night,