Technical Front suspension control arms

[DaveMcT]

Presumably Fiat wanted the 100HP to have a more precise feel in the steering and the wider tyres will increase side forces. But the diesels have heavy engines with much better mid range power so I cant see them giving the suspension an easy time.

The RHS bush on my car was knackered with grey aluminium dust showing. The left looked OK. Handling was affected by white lines but not terribly.

I suspect front arms of either type from a good brand (Original Birth or Magneti Marelli) will do just fine on the 100HP. Avoid the no name stuff even if it's cheap.

The "standard" track control arm OEM part number is 50703129. The Original Birth is £37.80 inc VAT from Shop 4 Parts. The 100HP type bushes will add another £10 so we are already close to £50 each side and still have to press out the "standard" bush and hope the 100HP type will fit.

The 100HP track control arm is OEM 51857135. Magneti Marelli cost £77.76 each from S4P and it will fit straight on. Other suppliers ask a similar price.


If you do not have access to a hydraulic press the options are -
(a) Spend £160 per pair and be done with it.
(b) Fit "standard" arms and save £80 but risk them being too flexible. I suspect they'll be fine.

IMO the cost saving and additional hassle of trying to swap the rear bushes is not worth the bother. But the considerable cost saving of "standard" over 100HP is maybe worth the gamble.

 

[dac69er]

i found cheap no name arms lasted pretty well on my girlfriends 100hp. it did 3 years or so and 40-50k miles and whilst the rear bushes were almost gone, they were still just serviceable.

the balljoints and rubbers as well as front bush are still perfectly fine. i am going to press in the bushes i removed from the ones i put the 100hp bush in to the old arms so i essentially have a spare set with new rear bushes. but i suspect the current arms will outlast the car if the last lot were anything to go by.

its like anything, it depends how much effort you want to put into something. i felt £70 saving and having the correct rear bushes was worth a shot. plus i have a spare set of arms if required in the future, so the saving is even greater.

 

[DaveMcT]

If I had a suitable press I would fit the correct bushes. The hassle and costs of getting a garage to press the bushes spoils the costs benefits.

I might do the old arms as spares but the new arms will probably outlast the car.