Upper Control Arm Upgrade

[Colin747]

I need to replace the passenger front top arm which I'm assuming is the upper control arm (U shaped part at the top of the suspension).

 

Are these worth upgrading or should I just use an OEM replacement? The car really is only used for road and maybe the odd track day (like once or twice a year).

[ZMANALEX]

Only if you require adjustable top arms.

[MrLizard]

Hi Colin, the oem one is quite good to be honest, as Alex says unless you want to increase the -ve camber or have adjustable there is no point, did yours fail?

[Adrian@TORQEN]

Unless you're on coilovers or springs with serious drop and you want to get optimum camber figures, OEM ones are fine. 

 

Is this the one you need?

 

https://www.torqen.uk/nissan/350z/suspension-steering/arms-links/10861-350z-dorman-control-arm-and-ball-joint-assembly-suspension-front-right-upper-521-606.html

[Paul K]

@Colin747 what are the symptoms that determined the change., clonking or knocking 

[Colin747]

I hadn't noticed any symptoms myself but when it was in for a service I was told it would need replaced for MOT he said it needs a "passenger front top arm" the part he showed me matches the one in the Torqen link.

 

What symptoms would it show if it needed replaced? 

[Paul K]

i was hoping you could tell us!!  most are familiar with the usual clunks associated with banana arms, drop links etc...just wondered if this made a different noise or at particular times (low speed, when turning  etc.....)

[Colin747]

ahh sorry, I'll ask the mechanic how he spotted it and update you all

[Adrian@TORQEN]

Colin,

 

You'd probably be fine with just replacing the bushes on the arms:

https://www.torqen.uk/nissan/350z/suspension-steering/bushes/775-350z-energy-suspension-upper-control-arm-bushing-kit-73121x-uca.html

[Colin747]

He just got back to me there "Excsssive movement in the 2 bushes and balljoint is what they need to check for", in my case it was also causing vibration under heavy and motorway speed braking.

[Adrian@TORQEN]

If the ball joints are gone, you'd need full arms. In stock.

[Paul K]

Thanks Colin

 

[Colin747]

@Adrian@TORQEN is there any quality difference between the Doorman and OEM arms? 

[Adrian@TORQEN]

Dorman has been supplying OEM parts for many, many years, top quality parts, see more details about Dorman here:

 

https://www.dormanproducts.com/Pages/corporate/history.aspx

 

 

[Colin747]

Can't help but notice that didn't really answer my question haha I can understand if you're not allowed to directly compare manufacturers you sell or something though

[Adrian@TORQEN]

2 minutes ago, Colin747 said:

Can't help but notice that didn't really answer my question haha I can understand if you're not allowed to directly compare manufacturers you sell or something though

 

I didn't mean to avoid your question, nor there is any law that forbids me to compare the products. Nissan doesn't really manufacture all their parts, they different suppliers, one of them being Dorman as far as I know. So they're the same parts. Moog ones look a bit different, Dorman look very OEM like. Other than that I don't know how else I can compare  

 

 

[Colin747]

haha fair enough, was just in case there was anything obvious like quality of material etc. I'll get one ordered now, thanks for your help!

[Colin747]

Just to double check, this is the passenger side, correct?

 

https://www.torqen.uk/nissan/350z/suspension-steering/arms-links/10862-350z-dorman-control-arm-and-ball-joint-assembly-suspension-front-right-upper-521-605.html

[Adrian@TORQEN]

LEFT = passenger side on UK RHD cars - https://www.torqen.uk/nissan/350z/suspension-steering/arms-links/10862-350z-dorman-control-arm-and-ball-joint-assembly-front-upper-left-521-605.html

 

just checked, we have it in stock.

[Silverthorn]

@zelda Burn the old bush out and press the new one in  It's a pretty simply job assuming you have some basic tools at your disposal; more than doable at home on the drive.

 

In the past I've used a threaded bar and a socket that's slightly bigger than the bush to pull the bushes in. 

 

Popping the new bushes in the freezer for a few hours before can sometimes help to shrink them a bit so they press in easier.

[andybp]

15 hours ago, zelda said:

Bit of a thread revival.. is it a PITA job to replace just the bushes? What about vs. replacing the whole arm?

 

(E.g. driveway job)

Where are you in essex ?

[ZMANALEX]

For ease of fitment, best just to bang on a good preowned  top arm if you are working on drive way as the bushings will require pressed out and in.