Front upper control arm mounts bent - LotusTalk

xeeeejme · 08-25-2009, 06:17 PM

What do you all make of the slight curve along the top edges of my front most upper control arm mounts on both sides? They've been that way since I bought the car (used) 2 years ago. There aren't any spots that are cracked or de-bonded.

I have seen mounts that are badly damaged or torn from collisions, but these are similarly bent on each side.

Impressions? Sorry for the low-res photos. I'll try to get some better ones.

ECPERFORMANCE · 08-25-2009, 07:39 PM

I`m thinking the car is no longer safe...just give it to me i`ll get rid of it for you

Honesly, as long as nothing changes, no cracking or anything (over 2 years) you should be fine. Maybe just keep checking it every now an then to make sure it`s still the same.

Thomasio · 08-25-2009, 09:59 PM

Better photos needed. From these, doesn't look to be a big deal...

fpitas · 08-26-2009, 04:35 AM

Another vote for "not a big deal". If you're worried you might check the upper arm bolts for tightness.

DrTurbo · 08-26-2009, 04:58 PM

I am considering buying this car from exeeejme and I plan to track it regularly. Is this something I need to worry about? Have people see this kind of suspension mount distortion on these cars before? What about track use of a car in this state? I agree with the general consensus that it is likely no big deal since there is no indication of cracking or debonding and it has been like that for 2 years. But, evidence of this on other cars, especially tracked ones, would go a log way toward providing piece of mind that everything is OK. If anyone has pics from their car showing similar distortion that they would be willing to post, that would be awesome.

apk919 · 08-26-2009, 05:22 PM

After looking at the pictures (and pictures of my own upper arm mounting brackets)... it's obvious that there is a large oval hole cut or punched in the forward mount, and a smaller round one cut in the rear mount. I'm guessing that they're there for ease of assembly (especially those annoying washers that I just rearranged for caster adjustment).

So two thoughts...

1) I doubt that the thin piece on the extreme edge is structurally critical... otherwise there probably wouldn't be a large hole next to it.

2) I wonder if the assembly process sometimes bends that piece slightly; possibly even the process of punching out the access hole...

Just wondering...

xeeeejme · 08-27-2009, 01:59 PM

Better pictures added.

apk919 · 08-27-2009, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xeeeejme

Better pictures added.

I still think that the distortion was unlikely to have been caused by stress on the upper control arm... looks like it might have happened during assembly or reassembly....

EDIT: it looks like someone might have stuck a screwdriver or pry bar into the extrusion to check for play?

08-25-2009, 06:17 PM	#1 (permalink)
xeeeejme Add Lightness Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Triangle, NC Posts: 376	Front upper control arm mounts bent What do you all make of the slight curve along the top edges of my front most upper control arm mounts on both sides? They've been that way since I bought the car (used) 2 years ago. There aren't any spots that are cracked or de-bonded. I have seen mounts that are badly damaged or torn from collisions, but these are similarly bent on each side. Impressions? Sorry for the low-res photos. I'll try to get some better ones. Attached Images __________________ '06 CO Exige - sold Last edited by xeeeejme : 08-27-2009 at 01:59 PM. Reason: new pictures

08-25-2009, 07:39 PM	#2 (permalink)
ECPERFORMANCE Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Memramcook New-Brunswick Canada Posts: 88	I`m thinking the car is no longer safe...just give it to me i`ll get rid of it for you Honesly, as long as nothing changes, no cracking or anything (over 2 years) you should be fine. Maybe just keep checking it every now an then to make sure it`s still the same. __________________ 2006 Chili red Elise

08-25-2009, 09:59 PM	#3 (permalink)
Thomasio really light stuff Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 3,503	Better photos needed. From these, doesn't look to be a big deal... __________________ 07 SY Exige S Really Light Stuff Intercooler . RLS Tubes . RLS Water/Methanol Injection . RLS 3.0" Pulley . RLS Wing Plates . RLS CF Window Panel

08-26-2009, 04:35 AM	#4 (permalink)
fpitas User, Registered Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Leesburg, VA Posts: 1,833	Another vote for "not a big deal". If you're worried you might check the upper arm bolts for tightness. __________________ Francis 2006 Chrome Orange Elise: LSD/TC, Nitron SAs with 425/650 springs, BWR 7/8" Front Bar, Eliseparts bumpsteer kit, VF Stage 2, 2bular Header + Sport Cat + 8x24 GT3 Muffler, ECU Tune by Jermaine, Smaay's fuel rail, ACT XT clutch, Saikou Michi dual catch can, Moroso pan, Manly's mount inserts & FF Engine Damper 2000 Black Integra Type R: - 213,000 miles...running again!

08-26-2009, 05:22 PM	#6 (permalink)
apk919 ΒÄŅNED Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Limbo Posts: 6,281 Images: 20	After looking at the pictures (and pictures of my own upper arm mounting brackets)... it's obvious that there is a large oval hole cut or punched in the forward mount, and a smaller round one cut in the rear mount. I'm guessing that they're there for ease of assembly (especially those annoying washers that I just rearranged for caster adjustment). So two thoughts... 1) I doubt that the thin piece on the extreme edge is structurally critical... otherwise there probably wouldn't be a large hole next to it. 2) I wonder if the assembly process sometimes bends that piece slightly; possibly even the process of punching out the access hole... Just wondering... __________________ * 2009 Lotus Challenge Series Rookie Of The Year * (Thanks Jim, Tom, Jack, Rob & Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch!) My videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/apk919

08-26-2009, 04:58 PM	#5 (permalink)
DrTurbo Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 3	I am considering buying this car from exeeejme and I plan to track it regularly. Is this something I need to worry about? Have people see this kind of suspension mount distortion on these cars before? What about track use of a car in this state? I agree with the general consensus that it is likely no big deal since there is no indication of cracking or debonding and it has been like that for 2 years. But, evidence of this on other cars, especially tracked ones, would go a log way toward providing piece of mind that everything is OK. If anyone has pics from their car showing similar distortion that they would be willing to post, that would be awesome.

08-27-2009, 01:59 PM	#7 (permalink)
xeeeejme Add Lightness Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Triangle, NC Posts: 376	Better pictures added. __________________ '06 CO Exige - sold

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode