Opinions sought - control arms condition

[Andrew Fitton]

So I’ve stripped my front control arms and...if I’m honest hmmm. When my car is back in the road it may do a bit of spirited driving on pennine roads in SW Northumberland (hadrians wall to Alston), it will also likely do 4 or 5 runs pa to my Mums 35 miles away on rural main roads with one of the kids in the passenger seat and possibly a bit of light road rallying and local speed events.

I don’t know suds very well but the control arms seem flimsy and I know they have been a cause of concern and why. I’ve stripped these right back, dipped the ended in hydrate 80 just in case there is something left in a seam and sprayed the rest with zinc rich primer. But are they knackered? I’ve binned wishbones in other cars that have inspired more confidence but I also know new front sud control arms don’t really exist. I’d welcome the views of people who know these cars.

Many thanks

[alfadave]

I must admit, the rear end of those front arms, where they pick up on to the trailing arms always looks flimsy.

The expensive Greek Guy seems to have none left.

The gaps between the pick ups seem to invite rust.

Could you get them welded up and strengthened?

[Andrew Fitton]

I can weld them and I know that is done although I’m a bit up and down about even that. I saw some on a German website which I think are still available (at a price). They are advertised as being 575mm. From the outer edge of mine ie from fork bolt hole to cross member bush hole is 575mm but I don’t know if that is how they are measured. Mine is an early 33 based sprint I think so drums and outboard discs but first registered 1983.

[alfadave]

Pretty sure they are all the same.

If you want extra strength ask the racing people........watch this space!

[KevJTD]

That is a weak point on the front suspension, they usually corrode badly between the two layers where they form the fork. That causes them to swell and separate.
I've seen a lot worse than that though on cars still in use.
Always an option to weld a reinforcing section over each outer side as has been said, but they look good enough to use to me from what I can see, especially as you're now going to treat and preserve them.

[Kegsti66]

Hi Andrew, they look pretty good to me . Mine were worse than that on my car.
What I did was reinforce mine with some plate steel. Plug and welded all around then painted.

[Andrew Fitton]

Well that looks impressive. What gauge did you use for the new re-enforcement. Did you drill the old spot welds?

Many thanks

[Andrew Fitton]

That is a weak point on the front suspension, they usually corrode badly between the two layers where they form the fork. That causes them to swell and separate.
I've seen a lot worse than that though on cars still in use.
Always an option to weld a reinforcing section over each outer side as has been said, but they look good enough to use to me from what I can see, especially as you're now going to treat and preserve them.
[/

You can’t see it on the photo but there is a slight bulge at the base of two of the re-enforcing strips. I took a pin to them to try and clean out any crap in the gap but I felt a bit Canute doing it.

[junior]

Well that looks impressive. What gauge did you use for the new re-enforcement. Did you drill the old spot welds?

Many thanks

I had similar done to mine and they look fine still as checked them recently, but also I may have some spares if your still looking for replacements. Good luck on the task.

[justsuds]

Sud arms - in-board brakes - arm slightly longer than 33 - out-board brakes- so if you are replacing them make sure you have the right ones, - yours do look ok, I've seen plenty worse.

If anyone has spare Sud front arms, good or bad, I will buy them, pm me, or ring/ text 07932 750976, - apologies for the slight hijack !
Cheers, John.

[alfadave]

John,
people might not know that welding is your main occupation.
Do you repair/ strengthen the front arms?

[alfadave]

Andrew, have sent you a PM

Keith, would it be stronger to not grind the welds? Not as beautiful, but stronger!

[Kegsti66]

Well that looks impressive. What gauge did you use for the new re-enforcement. Did you drill the old spot welds?

Many thanks

I just used some 1.5 mm flat steel to reinforce them. The spot welds actually failed with a light chisel and hammer and had hardly penetrated the arm.

Probably would have been stronger if I had not ground down the welds, but the car isn't pushed hard, and they still look good after 7 years, and 10,000 miles.

[justsuds]

Thank you Dave, - yes, my main business is steel fabrication, - so all front arms get shot blasted, the stiffners removed and replaced, then hot dip galvanised, and powder coated - any colour you want, they don't have to be black ! Hopefully they will last a long time !

[KevJTD]

don't think I've any left John but if I come across any I'll bring them to cadwell next time, assuming we get the chance this year!

[alfadave]

John,
maybe you should advertise your stuff?

I'm sure a priced up website is an expensive item......but maybe a list on here?

I remember you had the plastic inserts remade for the S3 Sud ti headlights, where they push on to the brass pins.

But you never told anyone!

[dave.armstrong]

I strengthened mine by welding them when I had them off the car.

I couldn't believe such a weak looking design could take the force of a Sud cornering hard.

Andrew, as you are a Bilt Hamber fan it is worth spraying the insides of them with Dynax S-50 if you've got some.

[justsuds]

Thanks Kev and Dave, - I am very crap in the advertising department, I tend to sell whatever people ask for that I've got, the problem is time, I'm busy with fabrication work , and sidecar racing, I can cope with current the amount of Justsuds enquiries and orders, but would struggle to cope with a large increase, - I would need to employ someone, - finding the right person is very difficult.
I appreciate all the business I do with forum members, - thank you all very much, I have spoken to Shrew in the past, - in very vague terms, about doing something on here so perhaps I need to get my finger out !
Cheers, John.

[Johnboy]

Hi John
Maybe put a list up on here what you do and sell with price list sticky so it doesn't get lost !

[Andrew Fitton]

I strengthened mine by welding them when I had them off the car.

I couldn't believe such a weak looking design could take the force of a Sud cornering hard.

Andrew, as you are a Bilt Hamber fan it is worth spraying the insides of them with Dynax S-50 if you've got some.

I have long learnt to spray dynax s50 everywhere - i like the way it sticks - even when I get it over paintwork and me. I quite like spraying round waxoyl as well though as while it needs topping up regularly it’s so thin when warm it flowseverywhere.

A former sud ti owner with Koni yellows Like I have now took me round the ‘ring in theirs when I didn’t know what held the wheels in line (I had a 75 which is beefy) I shudder when I think how hard we bounced round the carousel.

I may well be welding mine. I don’t think I’ve got some 1.5 or 2mm plate so I’ll need to find some.