Rear Upper Arms
 

Has anyone come across STARLINE rear upper uspension arm?
Available from ECP.

Get the ones from dmgrs . He has some specials listed that have been worked. You know what your getting. .. ;)

agree with the above.. I have found Starline not to be of the best quality.

Another shout here for the DMGRS ones they may cost more than the Starline ones but the DMGRS are quality parts.

Until your post I hadn't heard of Starline let alone their 75 upper rears. I was only aware of three after market ones the DMGRS, Indian or Chinese ones. These Starline ones must be new to the market and are likely untested with us 75/ZT owners.

Go for the DMGRS ones plus you're supporting a company that specially caters for the Rover 75/MG ZT (plus 25/45/ZR/ZS).

I would say avoid these they are most likely renamed Indian ones, i doubt any more have been made by someone else since, there are thousands of Indian ones out there that sellers are stuck with.

Are yours anywhere near the one below.

https://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/for...73#post2994273

Hi Steve,

ATM, I believe the answer is NO.
Looked ok last I was under the car. but I know these are a potential issue and I am planning to drop the subframe etc during the summer for some TLC as the car is 19yrs old, so just looking around for parts. I know that I have a broken spring (about 1/4 turn has separated from the bottom of one) so need to replace both (hence my post on the springs). Got a subframe sorted, (thanks Andy) got a pair replacement shocks in the garage, so now looking around for the arms.

I know that DMGRS have had some made to their 'revised' spec and that they get good reviews. However that does not mean that the STARLINE ones are rubbish, though they may be. Since I have NO direct experience with any STARLINE products I though I would ask.

Hi Stephen.
I see therefore it maybe worth asking ECP a few questions, where they are made, and by whom, wouldn't it be great if we had try before you buy :D:D

I did my rear subframe and upper lower arms including the roll bar, drop links on the tourer just before i sold it.

I managed to get hold of a sub frame from seller whom them from Spain which had all the above attached.

Treated and painted the whole lots a couple of coats.

https://i.imgur.com/eZm6A1Ul.jpg1

https://i.imgur.com/MVP5BOel.jpg2

https://i.imgur.com/UpxSKL5l.jpg3

https://i.imgur.com/8eHoLeDl.jpg4

Made a wooden jig to lift it up level, also used some all thread bolted into the subframe has guides to make sure it went onto the subframe correctly, they have just been borrowed to Devlish whom is doing his this come few weeks.
https://i.imgur.com/ydtQjAml.jpg5

https://i.imgur.com/nAqRktTl.jpg6

New bolts and washers used also.
https://i.imgur.com/owKalMjl.jpg7

My arms when taken off.
https://i.imgur.com/FhpQBDml.jpg8

When they got poked a little.
https://i.imgur.com/48mLXfUl.jpg9

None of the above was seem or noticed until i poked into the cup after a spring broke.

Hi Steve,

Your last 2 pics are what I fear.
My plan is similar to yours, get the bits and prep/assemble prior to taking my old stuff out. Though I have found out that I don't need the rear droplinks I have already purchased:duh: Then another thought I have had, is that if I can't get the correct springs (RM violet) and end up going back to the original springs, should I re-instate the torsion bar???


PS: what's with the gold paint?? or is that gold leaf :)

Not sure I understand your post, 1000s of Chinese ones? Weren't the 1000's of unsold stock the Indian ones as tested by MarinaBrian?

DMGRS themselves sold Chinese SAIC upper arms before their own came into production.

I was once part of a group buy and because of differing production, DMGRS wanted to supply me with one Chinese and one Indian one, I refused, insisting on the Chinese SAIC ones which I got. At the time the Chinese SAIC one were considered as OEM. I then heard that the tooling had been destroyed.

I've now got a set of new DMGRS ones up in the attic (although we don't know where they are made).

Keep well

[QUOTE]HI Mike.
Yes sorry my bad it should read Indian arms :duh:

The tooling for the saic Chinese made arms haven't been destroyed, these arms are still stocked and sold by xpart and the quality imho is top notch having all three versions of arms.

Seems we have differing information: I believe, relying on my ageing memory, that DMGRS said the tooling had been destroyed.

I do agree that the quality of the SAIC arms was as original, true original, had a pair. However, a quick search of Xpart's upper arms on eBay reveals ones with offset mounting holes, etc. ie not the SAIC upper arms which were perfect - these now being sold are most probably the Indian ones.

If indeed there are three version around then there is only one way to beat the lottery - buy DMGRS' :}

Regards

Can you explain a bit more for this blind man to see :)

One of the local ECP stores had one of their arms in stock, so went to have a looksee.
Not much to see as they are bagged up:
https://serving.photos.photobox.com/...e13e86af87.jpg


What I was able to do was open the bag a liitle and do a 'Kipling test' with a business card I had.

It passed, in that the card would NOT push in more that 2-3mm.
I guess the only way to prove they actually fit is buy one/pair.

Hi Steve.
Did you notice if the drip link ancor was in the centre or off set to centre if off set they are Indian ones.

Hi Steve,
In short NO I didn't notice, I assume this is what 'vitesse' was refering to.
Would this be an Indian arm:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/304158836971


It looks like the drop link anchors are offset.

If so I can always go back ans ask to have another look now I know what to look for.

Yes, off-set probably Indian made, if I remember correctly there are other differences too besides the all important welding: the spring cup is not in the centre and may mean you have to trim the rubber isolator to fit correctly.

All in all, why bother? DMGRS stock upper-arms that they describe as superior to the original Rover ones and correctly made, their aftersales service is exemplary - you will not get that level of service from Xpart (from bitter experience).

Good luck

These I've had for ages "just in case"
No idea of their provenance 😎https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...4c6a399b13.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...43f0e8d64b.jpg

Sent from my SM-A145R using Tapatalk

Yes those are Indian ones as stated above drop link ancor off set, also the drain holes will not match up with the rubber isolator.

Note the difference in the ones in the photos by Ron (suzablu ) how the drain holes are more away from the edge of the cup.

Those are SAIC ones Ronnie, in my opinion the best ones that were available.

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Thanks mate, good to know 👍

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Hi David,
I've not decided to buy these, just investigating them as anothe option.
Though through the replys here I do now know how to identify the Indian versions, which is a bonus :) (thanks to everyone on that point)


I do intend to get more info, pics if possible, of the drainage hole locations and thedrop ling lugs.

The Indian versions are I believe plain with no markings or logos on them, mine came in a clear bag with Made In India on it and a stick on supermarket style price tag of £5.00 (it cost me about £109)

The DMGRS ones have DMGRS stamped on them.

The Chinese ones have a picture of an elephant on them. The SAIC ones pictured in this thread have MG on them and are referred to as Chinese ones if they don't have an elephant on them then it looks like there are two types of Chinese ones.

No elephants on my saic arms 😎

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Ok that definitely means there are two types of Chinese arms then.

Hi Steve, I wonder if I may ask how you painted these and what did you use,and how did you rust proof the inside area, did you spray them inside with say Waxoil or something similar?

If you want to paint the arms, por 15 is an expensive but good paint. Don't drip it on the edge and then put the lid back as once the paint dries, you wont get the lid off.

macafee2

Something I shouldn’t let my other half get hold of then. She has a nasty habit of ruining tins of paint :mad:

HI Mac.
Because i had a subframe that had come from Spain through a local chap whom used to take apart R40 but now does FL2, i the inside was extremely clean, even so i used some Krust to spray inside, let that dry off.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/145663593557

You can get the above from B&M stores about half that price.

Once dried out i then sprayed inside with some Simoniz red oxide primer car spray paint.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/372673423394

Once dry i then used lots of spare spray paint i had, my local hardware stores keeps any small cans that are more or less out of date or do not sell good and let me have them for 50p per can.

The gold colour was from Aldi metal paint, the it had a coat of black, a coat of green and finally a coat of purple metallic :D

https://i.imgur.com/FWTvnptl.jpg1

https://i.imgur.com/UpxSKL5l.jpg2

https://i.imgur.com/wkPeJC0l.jpg3

https://i.imgur.com/5sZDxGxl.jpg4

Spray inside with Waxoyl rustproofing before fitting to the car.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/185714164127

I'm not one for lathering the under side or parts in brushed on waxoyl because it can and will attract dirt and mud to cling to it under the car, which includes the salt put down on the roads in winter.

Today I painted mine up ready to be fitted on the 7th of May.If it's dry tomorrow I will waxoyl all the insides.
Hopefully this will keep them in good order for a few years to come.
I I'm entrusting the local garage to do the job, how long should it take to do the pair.

I've done a pair on the driveway in an hour and a half!

Everything went perfect though (Actros car)

Normally I would say 2hrs per side if the inner bolt is being a pain.

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Cheers Trikey

All done and sorted today.
I had a look the old ones in the scrap bin at the garage and they weren't a pretty sight.Alot of the top side had disappeared completely leaving gaping holes everywhere.I think another couple months and the suspension would of collapsed.
The mechanic said he was cursing me because I had plastered everything in wax oil which in turn was covering him in it whilst working on the car.He also said if it wasn't for the liberal wax oil the bolts would of been a right battle to remove (swings and roundabouts I suppose)
He said everything came apart quite easily and didn't fight him every way.
It ended up costing £240 which I was happy with.
One thing I immediately noticed is that the rear end of the car is now sitting slightly higher.Over the last few weeks I've been noticing that the rear end was looking ever so slightly lower and was putting it down to my over imagination,but today when I saw it I realised my observations were right

Mine had the XPart hologram sticker on them and I didn’t notice any issues when fitting. The antiroll bar link mount looked ok and the insulator fitted ok but the arms only lasted 7 years and need replaced again.

DMGRS stock one side as class b with some issue including welds out of position, a bolt hole out of alignment etc. I’ve already done this job once so I’d rather not do it three times… I’m waiting to see if DMGRS get better quality right hand arms or I can find some Chinese ones

I'd prefer to fit arms that may only last 7 years but fit correctly and look safe to fit to the car over anything else.. last thing I'd want to be doing is facing the decision of fitting a poorer quality looking component that brings about the question of it's structural integrity that could ultimately lead to catastrophic failure of what is a fairly major suspension component.

Let's face it, 7 years isn't too bad for an arm either, seeing how the cars were only meant to last circa 10 years anyway.

The arms we have with the 'Grade B' tag are still the best we can find out there - they're made to our specification which is over and above the original part.
We're just incredibly fussy on quality when it comes to these items as we've had plenty of experience with the others out there - hence the mention of the minor cosmetic issues.
None of the issues with the Grade B items will in any way impact the strength of the arms. :)

Just a couple of months to go until our new batch is here - we've had samples delivered a couple of weeks ago and they're spot on. If anything, they're even better than the original batch!

Drop me a PM if you'd like to pre-order a pair so we can get them out the door as soon as they land. :)

The pair of grade B arms that l bought from DMGRS fitted fine & l have no qualms about carrying on using my car as my daily transport.

Thank you, I’ll do that. I’ll sort it in a week or so as you’ve got other issues going on at the moment