Top arms front suspension

[wooly350i]

Hi, got nearside front top arm off the car this evening, top bolt came out really easy and isn't bent so that's one theory dispelled, bushes look like they could do with replacing but they don't seem bad enough to throw the wheel in at the top too excessively, the next job is to compare the arm with the offside one as we're thinking it may be bent and causing excess wheel lean in at the top, looks like some one in the past has had a go at re-welding the support strengthening bits coz they left tacky bits of welding wire on it, can anyone else say they've experienced this in the past? Also am wondering if the top arms are also MK 5 Cortina or Granada as the front seems to be a mixture of both, help and advice appreciated in advance coz I've got to get to the bottom of this before my lad inherits the wedge off me, wooly

[adam quantrill]

What about the ball joints - all OK top and bottom?

Was the wheel bolted onto the hub properly (well you never know)...

Is the wheel bearing OK?

Can't think of anything else.

[Wedg1e]

The usual setup is Cortina arms and a Granada upright, John. I'd check the lower arm inboard bush as well.

Mine looked like this, the inner sleeve is split along its length in three places...

[wooly350i]

Stood top arm on floor upright against a known good one and chassis ends lined up ok but ball joint end was not a mirror image so reckoning on arm being flupped up, ordered a replacement. Bushes look knackered too.

[Wedg1e]

wooly350i said:

Stood top arm on floor upright against a known good one and chassis ends lined up ok but ball joint end was not a mirror image so reckoning on arm being flupped up, ordered a replacement. Bushes look knackered too.

It hasn't by any chance got a Granada balljoint on, has it? They look the same as the Cortina type but are slightly different sizes.

[wooly350i]

See what I mean about not being quite right, there is a good 6mm difference between the top bolt that holds the ball joint, so the ball joint was in effect further forward than it should be. Found the white arm with a chassis that's just happening to be rebuilt locally.
With arms facing same way there is still a difference of around 3 to 4mm, oh Mr Scrimshaw who owned it all those years ago what the fk happened ?

Edited by wooly350i on Saturday 12th October 20:38

[Wedg1e]

wooly350i said:

oh Mr Scrimshaw who owned it all those years ago what the fk happened ?

If he comes on here and confesses, would that be some sort of Scrimshaw redemption?

[wooly350i]

Wedg1e said:

If he comes on here and confesses, would that be some sort of Scrimshaw redemption?

No, but I would dearly love to know what he chose not to tell me, he had a 400se as well and was based in Sheffield, suppose you know him Ian.
I've managed to locate a second hand one for a small mortgage so waiting for Mr Posty on Tuesday, as I've found it difficult to enjoy the drive in my wedge for as long as I can remember I am hoping the small steps forward in one way or another will eventually change my opinion.
Reckon I will re bush the front with nylon or poly.