Limo lower control arms

[torinodan]

For those who thought about them, I now have a set. Like what was said before the lower control arms are the same part# but the overall Assy is not. The defference is the bushings. Besides the bushing shells being green (someone chime in to say what the different color is for) it's the way they are assembled into the arms.

They are pressed in the same way but they are "locked" in so there's less a chance "in a hard turn or something" that they might slip out due to the gerth of a limo. Nothing more than just a peice of mind for our cars. I'm still going to put them in to replace the stock one I have that is twisted. I still might box them in, but I'll let everyone know how the GREEN bushings feel down the road. Here are some pics of what I have. Thanks

[Warpath]

Those are really old and out of production. The new ones are identical to your original MM lowers. The ones you got function just the same as your original arms. That us why the part numbers are the same. The green paint is just for identification. The only difference you will notice will be from the fact yours were twisted.

[torinodan]

Those are really old and out of production. The new ones are identical to your original MM lowers. The ones you got function just the same as your original arms. That us why the part numbers are the same. The green paint is just for identification. The only difference you will notice will be from the fact yours were twisted.
Thanks, that answers all my questions about those. Now time to go get rid of the twisted one.

[Bradley G]

I just got a set of each upper and lower comtrol arms.
The uppers, had the bushing locked in(like the ones pictured here), the lowers did not.

[Warpath]

Those uppers sound really old. The dealer probably had some old ones sitting on the shelf.

[SergntMac]

Wazzup with these pics? Something doesn't look right. Moreover, they don't look any stronger than the OEM Marauder control arm.

Here's pics of "limo" control arms that Warpath posted back in November of '05...

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=45 47&d=1099711925

Will the real "limo" control arm please stand up?

[Rider90]

I was thinking the same thing, they don't really look like an upgrade...??

[ldadiaz]

Wazzup with these pics? Something doesn't look right. Moreover, they don't look any stronger than the OEM Marauder control arm.

Here's pics of "limo" control arms that Warpath posted back in November of '05...

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=45 47&d=1099711925

Will the real "limo" control arm please stand up?

These are the limo upper control arms.

Torinodan is talking about the limo lower control arms.

lddiaz

[Bradley G]

If they are the old style(locked bushings)they may not be modded as easily.
If the new lowers have the locking bushing, I wish I would have known that before I had them welded together.:o
More to come.
Those uppers sound really old. The dealer probably had some old ones sitting on the shelf.

[Warpath]

The locked bushings in the uppers and lowers were produced only for a short time. If you find them, they're just left over stock. The new limo uppers being produced are the aluminum one in the link above. The limo gets the same lowers as MMs (and GMs, TCs, and CVs for that matter).

[Bradley G]

Is it possible to Box the "Bushing type" arms, upper or lower?
It appears that the bushing could be pressed to be flush.
The problem may be getting the bushing out of the one half.
I may ask to exchange the "limited run" for the "New version".
Anyway to ensure, I get the new billet aluminum style uppers?
Thanks for the info fellas!

The locked bushings in the uppers and lowers were produced only for a short time. If you find them, they're just left over stock. The new limo uppers being produced are the aluminum one in the link above. The limo gets the same lowers as MMs (and GMs, TCs, and CVs for that matter).

[Warpath]

I think someone on this board got the aluminum uppers from Ray. So, his dealership should be able to get them for you.

As far boxing the rears, I think Pauls High Performance did that. It was in an issue of either MM&FF or 5.0. I think I also saw someone take two stampings and welded them back to back. Personally, I'm not too crazy about pressing the bushings out. If its not done correctly (read with a hammer, crooked on a press, etc.) they won't stay in when you press them back in. You have to be careful pressing them back in so that they go in straight. I think you're better off with aftermarket arms like Metco's or the aluminum limo uppers.

[Bradley G]

I got one aluminum upper so far, and one boxed lower made.
I agree, about being careful to press it in straight.
What about a tack weld on the new side joining the bushing to the arm?
I realize this may prohibit replacing the bushings later.
I think someone on this board got the aluminum uppers from Ray. So, his dealership should be able to get them for you.

As far boxing the rears, I think Pauls High Performance did that. It was in an issue of either MM&FF or 5.0. I think I also saw someone take two stampings and welded them back to back. Personally, I'm not too crazy about pressing the bushings out. If its not done correctly (read with a hammer, crooked on a press, etc.) they won't stay in when you press them back in. You have to be careful pressing them back in so that they go in straight. I think you're better off with aftermarket arms like Metco's or the aluminum limo uppers.

[Warpath]

Rubber doesn't like heat. So, a tack weld may damage the rubber below it which will cause the bushing to fall apart over time (starting from the tacks). My guess is the tack will burn off the bonding between the outer can and the rubber. The rubber will work itself loose over time. You may be able to tack the flange of the bushing to the arm. You may have to put a collar between the arm and bushing, tack the collar to the arm, and tack the bushing flange to the collar.

Once you press the bushing out, you've committed yourself to periodic inspection of the bushings to make sure they have not walked out or deteriorated. Check them with every oil change or whenever you're underneath whichever is more frequent. Use a paint marker and trace around the bushing where the arm touches it. It will help you see when the bushing moves.

[MAC'n89blckstng]

I boxed my stock stamped control arms on my 89 mustang with 1/8th inch steel and it really stiffened up the rear end of my car up alot. Its sooo easy to do as well.