Hi,

I have a question for those who're using the Alta rear control arms for some time.

I've noticed a loose metal clonking sound developing at the rear while driving these days, especially on rough roads at low speeds. When I jacked up the car at the workshop, I shaked the Alta control arm and noticed a bit of play. When the spherical bearings are worn and rusted, do you hear any noises at the rear while driving?

Has anyone replaced these spherical joints? If so, can you please PM me the cost?

Thanks!

 

I have had some noise in the past but no wear...I would call ALTA directly, I am sure they will be able to help you and give you a good price

Also, is this the heim you are having trouble with or the black bushings?
Heim>$>black bushings...

 

Rod ends do not last long on the street, not even the best available.

 

I hear that heim joints need to be replaced every season on race cars.

 

Mine lasted about 6,000 miles - 2.5 months of driving. Rod ends feel great and help maintain good geometry, but they are short lived on bumpy public roads. I knew this going in, but decided to find out for myself how long they would last on nasty New York roads. Your mileage may vary...

 

http://www.midwestcontrol.com/catdis...ort.php?pg=230

 

That looks like a good investment! I have looked at doing the rear control arjms from Alta after I get the koni yellows. Not sure the route i'm going to go as of yet.

 

I am looking at these as well. I also found some here..http://www.speedwaymotors.com/p/1528...int-Seals.html
Inexpensive peice of mind..and I need all the help I can get..not much mind left.
http://www.speedwaymotors.com/m/105_...s-Sleeves.html

 

Thanks guys, guess it would be the heim joints.

Is there an explicit noise when these joints are worn? I'm having a headache trying to diagnoise the source of the noise....

 

Just by looking they appear to be toasted. Arm should not have any "play" when "jiggled" or noise if you smack it with the palm of your hand up from the bottom. Back to the Holiday Express for me.

 

So what's the answer to the problem? Do the manufacturers sell replacement heim joints or are the whole arms replaced?

 

if you have a "self lubed" joint, the material lining of the ball joint affects "wear" also.

unfilled teflon will cold flow with even slight loads. glass-filled polymer, like tefzel, will resist cold flow longer. dry film lube doesn't cold flow, but will wear out - much more quickly if dirt gets in the joint.

i have a set of steel-on-steel greaseable arms from out pace racing,

http://www.out-pace.net/

but haven't put them on yet.

 

Contact Alta and tell them how old the rear control arms are and what the problem is and ask them what you can do.

Not sure how much of this can be covered by warranty.

I have four year old H-sport rear control arms that are doing fine.

 

I quick way to check the noise is to jack up the car and pull and push on the tire at the 12:00 and 6:00 position. I would expect more wear on the inner lower arm than anywhere else.