Mk3.1 and Early Mk4 - Please remember to lube your upper control arms

[CDXXVII]

I am pretty sure that the Mk3.1 and Early Mk4 roadsters all had the upper control arms pictured below. These are not SPC upper control arms and they will fail if you do not grease them properly. Mine failed and I did grease them with Royal Purple regularly but not completely disconnected like I show below.
These are not made by SPC and no one seems to know where Factory Five acquired them. I can only guess.

I highly recommend completely freeing up the upper control arms as in the picture below and carefully greasing them. Rotate them, grease them again. Be sure that they are completely free and that grease comes out freely from both ends. Then grease them again. If you do not disconnect them you will not properly grease them and they will fail. There are many threads showing catastrophic failures of these upper control arms. These control arms pivot metal to metal. SPC current UPA's have delrin bushings.

I highly recommend a moly fortified grease - www.valvoline.com/our-products/grease-gear-oil/full-synthetic-grease

I purchased a complete new set like the ones provided from FFR currently but I'll need to modify my brake lines before I can fit them. I was lucky enough to have a friend building an Mk3.1 that had a set just like my old ones so I will continue to run these for now. We upgraded his and I got his new old stock ones. Just remember to grease these carefully and properly and when you get a chance "Replace Them".

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=131627&d=1594517989

[MisterAdam]

What does early MK4 mean.....I am 7785. I grease every year (currently at 22k miles) and your post makes me nervous.

[CDXXVII]

What does early MK4 mean.....I am 7785. I grease every year (currently at 22k miles) and your post makes me nervous.

Pretty sure you have the same uppers since my friend Mk4 7608 and my Mk4 7841 have frame numbers either side of yours. If yours look like mine I would highly recommend taking them apart as in the photo I posted. It only takes a few minutes and it’s worth the peace of mind. My friends MK4 has the same uppers. He thought his were fine but when we unbolted his they were starting to gall. I had one nearly completely seized.

[frankeeski]

A refresher course is always good. And sometimes a heated debate.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?6503-Periodic-Maintenance

[DadofThree]

Will do. Thank you for the post.

[cschwer]

Wow, I had no idea there was a problem! Thanks for posting this.

[NiceGuyEddie]

131801131802

Also includes early MK3.

Here are mine, #4453, after about 8 years and 12,000 miles. I never lubed them. They cleaned up nicely.

[MisterAdam]

Thanks for the post. For lack of things to do i will probably replace mine. Should i stick with factory five or is there an upgrade from others available?

[CDXXVII]

Thanks for the post. For lack of things to do i will probably replace mine. Should i stick with factory five or is there an upgrade from others available?

The Upper Control Arms Sold at Factory Five are actually SPC control arms. You might save a few bucks sourcing the parts yourself but not sure it's worth the trouble. Keep in mind that the new cross shafts are a bit wider overall. In my case it interferes with where my brake line bracket is mounted.

These guys sometimes have coupon codes available - www.sportcompactwarehouse.com

This code will save you 10% HONOR10

Here is a parts list. Pretty sure it's the same you would get from Factory Five Racing

2 X SPC 93400 Build Your Own Control Arm Cross Shaft
4 X SPC 92045 Build Your Own Control Arm Adjusting Sleeve
2 X SPC 92021 Build Your Own Control Arm Race Kit Threaded studs, lock nuts, bolts, jam nuts, offset pivots w/ Delrin Insert Incl
2 X SPC 92002 Build Your Own Control Arm Ball Joint Plate Chrysler Screw In Plate Use w/ Ball Joint 94002
2 X MOOG K772 Suspension Ball Joint Front Upper

[CraigS]

Here is a link to their UCA parts.
https://www.spcalignment.com/race
I much, much prefer the 92025 pivots
https://www.spcalignment.com/component/content/index.php?option=com_spc&task=part_description&pid=92025
because the have grease channels in them and distribute the grease very well.
You also need a cross shaft 93400
https://www.spcalignment.com/component/content/index.php?option=com_spc&task=part_description&pid=93400
and depending which style you have now may need the ends 92005 for the sleeves.
https://www.spcalignment.com/component/content/index.php?option=com_spc&task=part_description&pid=92005
While they grease very well, the bushing is also made of delrin so, if you got lax on greasing it won't be as serious a problem as the steel on steel.
BTW, I usually get the numbers from this link and then go to Summit to order them.