Upper rear arm fail @ 3 years!!!!!
 

I changed two sets of rear upper arms three and something years ago. My daughters turbo zt, which had failed, them mine as a precaution.
Well recently while up in North Wales I looked long and hard at my rear wheel.
It was pointing out, and leaning in at the top, guessing 4 degrees or more.
I took the wheel off and had a look at the arm, it had surface rust all over but looked OK. So I made a wire template, following the curve allong the side of the front seam and compared it to my daughters now unused version. That confirmed it, arm buckled.
So I changed the arm, job sorted.
Now, I know parts aren't what they were, but (just under) 3 years? These were bought from a leading Rover (and other BL makes) retailer, cost £99 each, and I would have expected 10 years minimum?

Must have failed the Mr Kipling test methinks!:icon_question:

The Indian arms are not fit for purpose as supplied.......end of story..........

Hopefully the new supplier will be better quality, I'm holding off replacing a pair on Mrs MB's car until I've had a chance to inspect the new stock when it arrives.

Brian :D

Wow, that would imply that no amount of protection against rust would help extend the life of something that is simply not up to the job from the start. :(

Dave, the Mr Kipling test alludes to the go/no go gauge I made from the top of a jam tart box.

This was to demonstrate to the QA department at XPart the fact that of nine spot welds securing the two halves of the arm together at the outboard end of the arm, none were actually connected.

https://the75andztclub.co.uk/forum/a...1&d=1576007824

https://the75andztclub.co.uk/forum/a...1&d=1576007878

https://the75andztclub.co.uk/forum/a...1&d=1576007878

https://the75andztclub.co.uk/forum/a...1&d=1576007878

I spent hours fettling, reshaping shaping and welding these arms before I was prepared to fit them to my own car, and that was only after I'd painted them properly.

When paying for genuine parts, the premium you pay should ensure they are of sufficient quality to be fitted out of the bag.............not the case here :icon_rolleyes:

Brian :D

I filled as much of the gap on mine up with weld, will be nowhere near the quality of what Brian did, but hopefully might help....

When mine were fitted I had the use of a lift for a limited time so they were fitted as quickly as possible without paying too much attention to the new arms as this was before Brian’s discovery. Mine were from an xpart supplier with the hologram stickers, I wonder if you have poor quality arms there’s any comeback as production quality is now known about?

I doubt anyone gives more than a years warranty - so my 3 years life would be deemed to be fine I expect. I will be contacting Rimmers to see what they have to say - need to change the offside one first. It's not likely I'll have the car for much longer so will not be buying new ones.
It really pees me off to be fitting stuff twice...

Have you got any pics of the buckled arm? :icon_question: