131mirafiori forum

131mirafiori home => The Garage => Topic started by: simon131 on April 22, 2008, 10:48:32 AM



Title: Front Track Control Arms
Post by: simon131 on April 22, 2008, 10:48:32 AM
Hi Guys,

This time it's my turn to ask for your assistance. ;)

My Abarth managed to pass it's MoT today? ;D but there were a couple of 'advise's that I need to attended to. The first is easy - an intermittant horn, which is an earthing problem. The second is a bit more serious. The front passenger side (on a LHD car) track control arm has wear in the ball joint. This needs urgent attention if I'm to drive it all the way to Scotland for the 3MA08 weekend in a few weeks, so....

I'm pretty sure that the Abarth arm has an 'extra' fitting for an additional anti-roll bar bush, so I doubt that anyone has one just laying on a shelf, but I'll consider a 'standard' one that I can have this 'additional' fitting welded onto.

Obviously, if anyone knows where I might get an Abarth one for half reasonable money that would be great too. So all suggestions in this regard would be gratefully received.

Thanks a lot. 8)



Title: Re: Front Track Control Arms
Post by: chris131 on April 22, 2008, 11:10:28 AM
Hi, I have new 131 sport one's if they're any good to you?


Title: Re: Front Track Control Arms
Post by: Thotos on April 22, 2008, 11:20:35 AM
Yes, the Abarth Track Control Arms have an extra bit for the Anti-Roll bar drop links

(http://131mirafiori.com/smf/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=445.0;id=354;image)

Tristan on this forum was after some a while ago (see posts at http://131mirafiori.com/smf/index.php?topic=445.0) so maybe if Tristan is reading this he can tell Simon the outcome of his searches.

I thought it's possible to simply replace the ball joints on the arms. It's certainly possible on the standard 131s and I've seen them on eBay before.

Simon, I have some new track control arms for a standard 131 so you may be able to either adapt those to the Abarth by welding the extra bit or (even better?) removing the ball joint and fitting it to your existing TCA.



Title: Re: Front Track Control Arms
Post by: Thotos on April 22, 2008, 11:29:19 AM
Isn't this all you need?

(http://i1.ebayimg.com/04/i/000/83/b5/6db9_1.JPG)

If so, grab them off ebay at http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/FIAT-131-SUPER-MIRAFIORI-NEW-LOWER-BALL-JOINT-75_W0QQitemZ200151432096QQihZ010QQcategoryZ31352QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1638Q2em118Q2el1247


Title: Re: Front Track Control Arms
Post by: Thotos on April 22, 2008, 11:31:14 AM
Here's another one

(http://i22.ebayimg.com/05/i/000/d1/09/9b14_1.JPG)

Also on ebay at http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/FIAT-131-BALL-JOINT_W0QQitemZ300217427639QQihZ020QQcategoryZ31352QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1638Q2em118Q2el1247


Title: Re: Front Track Control Arms
Post by: simon131 on April 22, 2008, 11:33:30 AM
Thanks Chris and Theo - I'll certainly be taking one of you up on your kind offer that's for sure!

The photo clearly shows the difference doesn't it. If it is indeed possible to change just the ball joint on the Abarth item then that is surely the way to go. ?;) I'll keep you all posted.

Thanks again.


Title: Re: Front Track Control Arms
Post by: simon131 on April 22, 2008, 12:28:17 PM
Ball joint now purchased and on it's way to IRS in Basildon for my Abarth. ;D

Thanks very much guys. I'll let you know whether it fits the Abarth arm. If not I'll have to buy and modify a complete standard arm - which, believe it or not, are still available from QH for about ?25!

Thanks again guys.


Title: Re: Front Track Control Arms
Post by: hicky131 on April 23, 2008, 06:57:03 AM
Hi Simon,

If the new ball joint doesn't fit,give Mick131 a PM as he's still got some genuine Fiat arms left.
In my experience,the pattern type ball joints don't last as long as the genuine ones do, but that might be down to my old car being used every day.(needed replacing nearly every year for the mot!)

The current car has the genuine arms on it and has never needed them replacing.
Saying that though,it's only done 7000 miles in the last three years.

I'm sure Mick would do you a pair for a good price.? :)?