I had a similar experience with "British Miles". I crossed them off my list
of suppliers. I gave up on rebuilt A-Arms many years ago. I "bite the
bullet" and buy new ones now.
Larry Miller
-----Original Message-----
From: Kroyell <Kroyell@aol.com>
To: spridgets@autox.team.net <spridgets@autox.team.net>
Date: 06 January, 1998 1:47 AM
Subject: Re: Question: A-Arms
>
>In a message dated 1/4/98 9:37:05 PM, you wrote:
>
>>I have been tearing down the front end of my 74 midget and it was in
>>really bad shape. I think I will have to replace the left A-arm, but
>>before I do, I have to ask a question.
>>
>>On the outer, under side of the trunnion pin there is what I thought at
>>first was a huge crack in the outer edge, or lip of the A-arm. After
>>lurking on the list for a long time, I thought it was a crack from the
>>trunnion pin and thought the A-arm was ruined.
>>
>>So, I went to my 72 parts car and started to remove the A-arm on it and
>>guess what...I found almost the exact same damage on it also. It
>>appears now after closer look that the arm has maybe been hit by some
>>object or the car ran over something and it tore the lip of the A-arm.
>>
>>Is this repairable? Have I described the damage properly to determine?
>>I was wondering if this damage could be straightened and welded?
>>
>>Should I just go ahead a find a good replacement? Comments...Please...
>
>I've been working on the front suspension on my '72 and have found the same
>problem on it as well as the parts from the '70 parts car I have. It seems
we
>are fighting a losing battle when it comes to the design of the lower
fulcrum
>pin attachment. Between the stripped out sloppy fit that most spridgets
will
>reveal and the damage from objects striking them the lower A-arms will
cause
>all of us a problem at some time.
>
>My horror story continues when I triad to save money and buy "excellent
used
>units" from one of the recycle yards. The "Good" people at "British Miles"
>sold me a set of unmatched (one old style and one new) arms. The older of
the
>two actually did have good fulcrum bushings and the newer one was way too
>loose. I sent them back (about 3000mi away) and made it clear what my needs
>were and gave them the chance to make it right by refunding my money or
>sending another set. The next set (no refund yet) where worse than the
first
>and had to be sent back as well. From the time I first ordered with them to
>the time I got my refund was about 9 weeks. I really wanted to drive the
car
>last summer but that didn't happen. I have not tried the rebuilders and
would
>still be curious if anyone out there has had success with them?? By the
time
>you pay for shipping to send your cores to them is the savings still
there???
>So the moral of the story is bite the bullet and buy new units???
>
>Good luck
>
>York
>
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