ConcoursMustang Forums
Restoring - General discussions that span across many different groups of years and models => Suspension => Topic started by: ruppstang on October 21, 2022, 09:29:05 AM
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Has anyone used NPD's improved design upper control arm shaft? Also would they pass judging for Concours Driven?
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Haven't seen an example that I know of
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Has anyone used NPD's improved design upper control arm shaft? Also would they pass judging for Concours Driven?
I see a lot of issues - thoughts?
https://www.npdlink.com/product/shaft-kit-upper-control-arm/148496?backurl=search%2Fproducts%3Fsearch_terms%3Dimproved%252Bdesign%252Bupper%252Bcontrol%252Barm%26top_parent%3D200001%26year%3D1968&year=1968 (https://www.npdlink.com/product/shaft-kit-upper-control-arm/148496?backurl=search%2Fproducts%3Fsearch_terms%3Dimproved%252Bdesign%252Bupper%252Bcontrol%252Barm%26top_parent%3D200001%26year%3D1968&year=1968)
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I see a lot of issues - thoughts?]
https://www.npdlink.com/product/shaft-kit-upper-control-arm/148496?backurl=search%2Fproducts%3Fsearch_terms%3Dimproved%252Bdesign%252Bupper%252Bcontrol%252Barm%26top_parent%3D200001%26year%3D1968&year=1968 (https://www.npdlink.com/product/shaft-kit-upper-control-arm/148496?backurl=search%2Fproducts%3Fsearch_terms%3Dimproved%252Bdesign%252Bupper%252Bcontrol%252Barm%26top_parent%3D200001%26year%3D1968&year=1968)
I do not like the looks of the boot. One of the reviews was not favorable. What are the issues you see? Are the Moog replacements best?
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I see a lot of issues - thoughts?
The fact that it has boots and of course the angled zert fittings to begin with so those two details should be seen and found by a competent judges in a concours class IMHO
And of course the fact that the bushings have a hole for the zert would make them not correct for very early cars
Many aftermarket shaft kits included the boots and possibly some service parts so someone may have copied (as often happens) the "improved" design rather than the original design
Would be nice to see a side view to see the shape of the shaft and how its shaped at the attachment points.
Thought they might be Rare Parts reproduction but theirs don't have the boots but they do include zerts - though different shape so you would still need to purchase the plugs
https://www.rareparts.com/MVMS40908-15348-CONTROL-ARM-SHAFT-KIT (https://www.rareparts.com/MVMS40908-15348-CONTROL-ARM-SHAFT-KIT)
Pictures of some originals spanning from early 65-spring 1969. Of course have a fair number more
(https://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/gallery/18/6-221022154201-180432190.jpeg)
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I am pretty certain that the NPD control arms are indeed the same as those marketed by Rare Parts. Rare Parts are cataloged as # 15348, and the manufacturers reference number on those shown in the NPD link is also 15348. (doubt that is a coincidence) Do any of you agree?
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I am pretty certain that the NPD control arms are indeed the same as those marketed by Rare Parts. Rare Parts are cataloged as # 15348, and the manufacturers reference number on those shown in the NPD link is also 15348. (doubt that is a coincidence) Do any of you agree?
Good eye for the part number. Looked at it again and the pictures don't match BUT
In the list of what is included they show
1 Shaft, 2 Bolts, 2 Lock Nuts, 2 Bushings, 2 Grease Seals, 2 O Rings, 2 Grease Fittings
If the 2 grease seals are the boots we can see in NPD and they have changed to right angle zerts then its likely. Maybe I can swing by next week to Rare Parts and see as well as maybe help them a little
One might be able to install everything but the rubber boots and the zert fittings ( changing them to plugs for the post early 65 cars) and be ok. Still would like to see a side view as Rare Parts at one time did sell a shaft that was shaped differently round the mounting points. Think it was also them or another produced that had a name etched or marked on the center of the shaft making it unusable for our purposes. Might have a picture of the marking but it likely would not help here in this thread
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I think I will use the original style. They will most likely last as long as I will need them.
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I have heard that cutting a groove through the shaft threads from the ends to slightly past the o ring will allow better grease flow and longer life. seems to me that when Ford added the zerks it was more of an afterthought.
Being completely sealed it is very hard to get grease in. I have even blown out o rings with grease gun. Cutting a slot through the threads won't show and should slow down wear considerably - since all the wear on these is on the thread to thread contact area.
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Good eye for the part number. Looked at it again and the pictures don't match BUT
In the list of what is included they show
1 Shaft, 2 Bolts, 2 Lock Nuts, 2 Bushings, 2 Grease Seals, 2 O Rings, 2 Grease Fittings
If the 2 grease seals are the boots we can see in NPD and they have changed to right angle zerts then its likely. Maybe I can swing by next week to Rare Parts and see as well as maybe help them a little
One might be able to install everything but the rubber boots and the zert fittings ( changing them to plugs for the post early 65 cars) and be ok. Still would like to see a side view as Rare Parts at one time did sell a shaft that was shaped differently round the mounting points. Think it was also them or another produced that had a name etched or marked on the center of the shaft making it unusable for our purposes. Might have a picture of the marking but it likely would not help here in this thread
I got these from Rare Parts. I was not too happy to find that they were powder coated black.
https://www.rareparts.com/RP17590A-17590-CONTROL-ARM-W-BALL-JOINT?quantity=1&custcol_rp_part_location=REAR&custcol_rp_part_application=409240&custcol_rp_vehicle=1968-Ford-Mustang&make=Ford&model=Mustang&year=1968 (https://www.rareparts.com/RP17590A-17590-CONTROL-ARM-W-BALL-JOINT?quantity=1&custcol_rp_part_location=REAR&custcol_rp_part_application=409240&custcol_rp_vehicle=1968-Ford-Mustang&make=Ford&model=Mustang&year=1968)
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I got these from Rare Parts. I was not too happy to find that they were powder coated black.
Yes we went round an round over the years with different people in control of these things. We discussed this in one of the other threads about the supply and what was available at the time. Not sure if they will supply and want to deal with individual orders for bare ones as they did in the past for me and other members here. They also use to do just the riveting of ball joints into original arms for me and others. Don't believe the new guys running the day to day would do that today
For a time was able to get them bare but the major buyers and in turn likely the every day owners of the cars wanted something that would look great for the long haul and were not interested in being original
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You need something similar to this shaft to be 100% correct.
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Pics of Rare Parts upper control arms after paint removal. Ordered from NPD (3082-2A). Arrived coated black as expected. But unexpected was they appeared to be painted rather than powder coated. Paint lifted very easy using stripper. Will use these as place holders for a while
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But unexpected was they appeared to be painted rather than powder coated. Paint lifted very easy using stripper.
What makes you think they were powered coated for assembly line use?
Jim
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Jim, I was expecting these reproductions to be powder coated upon delivery. Powder coat is a PIA to remove. So I was pleasantly surprised to find out the black coating was easily removed with paint stripper. The photos i posted were after i stripped the paint off of the fully assembled part.
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Rivets and boot leave a lot to be desired. The inner shaft differences are less noticeable. Given their other authentic attempts I am surprised Rare Parts didn't do better in that area . It isn't like correct looking boots and rivets are not easily available.
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I will agree with Bob here. The control arm shafts with the boots on the ends, the Moog ball joints with the Moog boots which are open at the ends have issues with grease coming out of them and the rivets are completely wrong...not to mention they are painted black. Those are all details that in a judged event people will look for. Unfortunately not for concours use.
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Yes it appears that their off the shelf reproductions are no better than the ones they have supplied to other name brands. They have done better in the past but guess that they have choose to go the easier and more profit route since many don't care about the details. Not sure which of the older workers are still there. I know some have moved on leaving others to make and suggest choices. So goes many "reproduction" parts as we have seen in other examples
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The arms are a decent alternative to finding originals without pitting. I have used them, drilled out the wrong rivets, blast/tumble the arms and then install correct shafts and ball joints (with correct rivets)
Wonder if RP would sell the arms without any parts.
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If you got painted ones that is a big improvement. Mine were powder coated and quite resistant to paint stripper.
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If you got painted ones that is a big improvement. Mine were powder coated and quite resistant to paint stripper.
I suggested against the powder coating but they stated the the retails wanted that and they thought they would sell better.