VAS PRIMA1 CONTROL ARMS FOR THE 124

[71124spider]

yes, everything is tight and you can move the upper control arm a 16th of an inch foward and backward on the pivot bolt. the bushing is fully seated against the shock tower and the arm moves foward and backward--its slight but its there--its like the bushings really dont fit in the arms correctly--and its the same on the uppers on both sides d/s and pass side--i dont want to take it all apart again to return the stuff--i'm thinking the upper outer bushins are slightly longer than they should be, and its throwing off the taper of the bushing that locks the bushing into the arm when you tighten the nut.--if i was to remove the lock nut right now--i can pull the upper outer bushing out easily-- with my fingers --its not crushing and locking into the arm.

[RRoller123]

I think this may be the same problem that we discovered a few months ago her on the forum. There are some arms that have the mounting bolts threaded such that you bottom out the nut on the threads (and thus show full torque) before the bolt is truly tight. The solution has been to add a number of stainless steel washers to shim out the head side of the bolt. Jay logs everything, I bet he has a link to the thread discussing this. But a search should find the discussion. May help.

[RRoller123]

Here is the link in question: http://www.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic ... ntrol+arms

[vandor]

Yes, but that would not solve the problem of the bushing not being pressed into the arm. One should not be able to removed the bushing from the arm by hand, they are supposed to be pressed into the arm.
The pivot bolts tightens the inner sleeves against the shock tower - it has not effect on the outer steel sleeve being pressed into the arm.
If you it as is there is a good chance that soon the outer bushing sleeve will start turning inside the a-arm, thus causing noise and wear. The time to deal with this is now.
Oh, and there should not be any play in the suspension - if there is, then something is not right.

[bradartigue]

can anyone send me the picture that says these arms are made in china?

It was the picture on their website. There was a lengthy thread on this site about them and it was linked, then it disappeared.

[71124spider]

i just ordered 2 new complete upper control arms today from csaba--i hope this corrects the problem.

[71124spider]

okay so here it is,before i go any further--i want to clarify a few points--everything i ever bought from VAS was always excellent-and i didnt state it before--but i am a ASE certified auto mechanic,NYS inspecter--i am also - ansi certified, air brake certified --and i have been, most all of my life. and i dont believe in bad mouthing anyone.and i will still buy from VAS--as well as all the other fiat parts sellers,because they all have their own niche and unique product lines--but the truth of the matter is--as soon as i put the upper control arms i bought from csaba on the car--it cleared up every noise--the fit from csaba's arms were excellent. upon inspection of the prima 1 control arms --after removal--my opinion is --the compound of the bushings is too hard,or the taper is incorrect--the prima 1 bushings dont compress correctly and lock into the arms--and the arm moves foward and backward on the bushings. maybe i just got a bad batch.but i do think VAS should investigate it.
thank you csaba!