ConcoursMustang Forums

1st Generation 1964 1/2 - 1973 - Questions & general discussions that apply to a specific year => 1969 Mustang => Topic started by: bjf1992 on June 10, 2014, 11:37:03 PM

Title: Rare Parts Diamond Series Upper Control Arms
Post by: bjf1992 on June 10, 2014, 11:37:03 PM

I was researching front suspension parts and ran across what appears to be a factory correct reproduction upper control arm for 1969's.

Has anyone bought these? Looks like this might be the way to go if they truly are accurate.

Part number 10471

Title: Re: Rare Parts Diamond Series Upper Control Arms
Post by: J_Speegle on June 11, 2014, 07:39:50 PM

Depends on allot of details - originals are always going to be your best choice. Not sure what Rare Parts is currently selling but I've seen them sell to the public ones that were powered coated or had other finishes that were not like originals - IMHO more in line with the driver quality. For me the shape and features of the Upper A arm are close enough to do fine in most judged events especially considering the visual access. The inner pivot shafts must be reworked a little to remove the brand emblem from them (a little steel wool or fine sand paper and a coat of gun bluing seems to take care of that. Like the fresh new finish of the upper main bodies with the brightened stretched area like the originals especially.

Not sure if they will sell them to the public in z non- treated/coated configuration but would try that if everything else fills the bill for you. Other option would be to purchase a set of restored originals - Both IMHO better than the expensive, still need to redo most of the service replacement (NOS) ones we see

If you do a search you may find some of the guys that have been mentioned before that will supply or restore original ones - the choose is yours ;)

Title: Re: Rare Parts Diamond Series Upper Control Arms
Post by: Armond on June 12, 2014, 02:18:34 PM

I looked them up online out of curiosity, the cheapest I found was $329 each. They look good but the ball joint is not %100 percent accurate from what I can tell in the pictures. 

Title: Re: Rare Parts Diamond Series Upper Control Arms
Post by: 69cobrajetrugae2 on June 13, 2014, 05:13:38 AM

Here is the part from Amazon a little cheaper.

http://www.amazon.com/Rare-Parts-RP10471-Control-Joint/dp/B00DW5GFTK

I commissioned Rare Parts to rebuild my idler arm a while back for 100 plus shipping. Initially I bought a TRW Moog and found out there are two problems with the TRW Moog idler arm.

Number one it didn't fit, my original has a weird drop head design, it actually looks bent but it's not.

Number two problem is that it was very hard to turn in my vise and had no spring action.

Rare parts educated me to the fact that factory idler arms are set up to have a spring action created by a pinch load between the star washers and the inner rubber bushing.  This design helps the steering wheel to snap back to center when you turn a corner.  I Chucked up the rebuilt idler arm in the vise it turned very smooth and did have the spring action.  I was surprised that the TRW Moog part was so vastly incorrect in this respect.

Have you checked with Rare Parts to see if they can rebuild your existing control arms?