Bent Lateral Link Arm?

[ninjanick]

36449
So I was preparing my rear lateral links for some paint and noticed that one has a slight bend to it. Any cause for concern?

[Frank818]

I don't think it's good to have any bent part, but I can't tell how important having this one bent is.

[RM1SepEx]

The length of a part with pivot points on both ends is defined by the distance in a straight line between the two points. So that arm is effectively just a smidgen shorter than intended. IIRC that stock center to center length is about 16 inches. Once a steel part experiences stress beyond its yield strength it deform as that strut has. Stresses below that level, the part bends and bends back. That part has been overstressed. You could straighten it out if you wish.

I agree with Frank in that I'm not a fan of bent parts however alignment could most likely make a slight bend insignificant. With the $ invested in your kit, it is hard to justify not replacing it since new ones are not very expensive. Mine were the typical Copart bananas!

[Hindsight]

I had the same problem.... not with the those specific links, but with the rear links, as well as the control arms. They need to be straight.

You can get new ones from the dealer or an aftermarket kit consisting of all the links which are adjustable, plus adjustable rear control arms.

[Samiam1017]

if you bought thru a salvage auction chances are they bent from where the fork lift picks them up. I've purchased about 15 cars and all of them had at least one bent arm. I wouldn't use it.

[Hindsight]

if you bought thru a salvage auction chances are they bent from where the fork lift picks them up. I've purchased about 15 cars and all of them had at least one bent arm. I wouldn't use it.

That's what happened to mine, given the location of the scratches on the links.

[wallace18]

You most likely will need adjustable units to get proper rear alignment IMO. There are plenty of options on eBay or ask AJW.