I've got a small crack appeared on one of my lower arms about 1.5" long up the side of the tension rod bolt holes.

As in the FAQ section:

 

http://www.300zx.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=22382

 

Only noticed cos I'm changing from poly bushes to the adjustable Powertrix rods.

 

Would it be safe to weld this or am I in for even more wallet pain?

It's not as bad as the ones in the pics in the FAQ thread.

What's involved in changing the lower arm? Big job?

Ask Hellraiser, we did mine, but he did more. Not a hard job, take off wheel, undo a few bolts, remove arm, replace and bolt back on...I think.

id just take it off and weld it

I've got a small crack

 

 

 

 

LOL..................... :wack:

LOL..................... :wack:

 

better than your big crack :shock: :rofl:

better than your big crack :shock: :rofl:

 

 

 

:slap: You been looking AGAIN....lol

id just take it off and weld it

Not worth it with such a critical component IMHO!

Tap Slick Pete,he may have one, I think he was looking into strengthening some for his project. :)

if its welded properly then imo would be fine . take it to a welders they would be able to advise and probably save you a fortune imo

thought about welding mine when I found they were cracked, problem is they are likely to be high carbon steel and the heat may affect the strength of the weld and surrounding metal so didnt take the chance, probably be able to pick up a set of 2nd hand ones cheap enough, I did thanks to Pete and Andy, and speak to Alan (bigmincey) top bloke and currently braking a zed

I've got two, but they are still on the car.

ive got exactly the same problem with mine, looked to get one from courtesy the price wasnt to bad, not sure if i wanna weld it or not, if i do, what would you think is best, to weld the crack over then plate the ender side for some extra strength

Dutchy, you can have mine, you live local too!

how much do you want for them like??? are they in good nick, i.e. no cracking etc....

Im pretty sure they are spot on. I checked them out when I dropped the subframe a while ago.

 

Ill get them off either today or sunday and check condition

 

Send me your number to 07816217708 and ill let you know condition, was thinking £40 for the pair.

just sent you me number, will wait to here from you, cheers

I wouldn't weld an arm that is already cracked but when i fitted my poly bushes i have welded in a stregnthening plate about 4" long with the holed redrilled to stop this happening.

 

Baz

Is there a way of detecting this when braking, I seem to remember someone saying that you get a cracking sound when braking if you have cracked arms.

Is there a way of detecting this when braking, I seem to remember someone saying that you get a cracking sound when braking if you have cracked arms.

 

I don't think you would ever hear this, unless it totally failed and then you'd know about it as the wheel collapsed LOL

The creaking/cracking sounds I used to get were down to the pads moving in stock calipers because the shims were missing.

 

I think I'm going to get a couple of plates welded over mine to strengthen them even though I'm putting the powertrix rods on now.

think thats what i'll do when i change em, i,ll weld another piece of plate in to give some extra strength also i'll think i'll change to rose jointed rods. This is getting expensive now, but the time ive done that i'll pretty much of changed the whole suspension, but oh well. thats old motors for you i suppose

i take it, it will be a good idea to poly bush the lower arms when i have them out

Chris I put a 6 or 8mm plate on mine and welded that fooker on. Gotta be stronger than 2mm stock material ;) And the same will happen to the replacement parts wont it? :)

.........crack i mean....

The arms only crack when the badly designed poly bushes are fitted, because they do not allow for rotary movement of the tension rod with the lower arm.

 

Welding the lower arm is not the answer, getting rid of the poly bushes is the answer!

The arms only crack when the badly designed poly bushes are fitted, because they do not allow for rotary movement of the tension rod with the lower arm.

 

Welding the lower arm is not the answer, getting rid of the poly bushes is the answer!

 

Yeah I'm doing both now to be safe LOL

welded suspension arms would be an mot fail if mot examiner spots them, excessive heat weakens pressed steel parts . personaly wouldnt even consider welding suspension arms unless it was for a get you home type repair.

sorry just double checked wouldnt fail mot still wouldnt recomend it tho