My first non donor donor parts

[michael everson]

Picked up a set of aluminum lower contol arms to play around with. My donor has the stock steel units. I plan to sand down all the casting marks and polish the hell out of them. The way I figure it I have at least a half a year to work on them. I also scored a great deal on a complete set of black STI brakes. They should be here by the end of the week.

Mike
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s140/michaeleverson/2002%20subaru/DSC05355.jpg

[bil1024]

Looking good!!!!!!

[longislandwrx]

For a cleaner look, you should be able to grind off the sway bar mounts too, once its finalized that it wont be used for another purpose. They weren't used on the go cart.

Also keep in mind, the casting bumps on the control arm (near the ball joint) may be used as reference points for drilling them for the shocks so you may want to leave those for now.

13556

[michael everson]

Thanks. I will keep that in mind.
Mike

[dbjr63]

how much?

[michael everson]

I paid $200 shipped from a Subaru forum

[RM1SepEx]

nice deal! I paid $250 for mine... :-)

[Nuul]

Nice, good find for $200. Any big advantage to them other than the weight savings?

[michael everson]

If anything I would say they are a little heavier. Just for looks I guess. Even though I will be the only one to see them.
Mike

[RM1SepEx]

2 lbs lighter each... much prettier, I think with the Factory 5 mounting of the shock they "fit" the application better. The steel one is a simple folded metal weldment and I sold my one good steel one for $53 on EBay

[michael everson]

My donor has brand new steels ones. I was told they were replaced under a recall due to premature rot.
Mike

[RM1SepEx]

EBay... :-)

[longislandwrx]

My donor has brand new steels ones. I was told they were replaced under a recall due to premature rot.
Mike

SOA had a recall out for the arms, they punch tested them, if they were too soft they were replaced.

Vehicle Make / Model: Model Year(s):
SAAB / 9-2X 2005-2006
SUBARU / FORESTER 2003-2008
SUBARU / IMPREZA 2002-2007

Manufacturer: SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. Mfr's Report Date: SEP 06, 2011

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 11V464000 NHTSA Action Number: PE11011

Component: SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM

Potential Number of Units Affected: 295,123

Summary:
SUBARU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002-2007 IMPREZA, MODEL YEAR 2003-2008 FORESTER, AND MODEL YEAR 2005-2006 SAAB 9-2X VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 5, 2000 THROUGH NOVEMBER 26, 2007 ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN, MASSACHUSETTS, MARYLAND, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW YORK, PENNSYLVANIA, VERMONT, WISCONSIN, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW JERSEY, OHIO, RHODE ISLAND, WEST VIRGINIA AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS MAY BREAK AT THE HANGER BRACKETS DUE TO CORROSION IF THE HANGER BRACKET IS EXPOSED TO SALTY AND HUMID ENVIRONMENTS SUCH AS ROADS CONTAINING SNOW MELTING AGENT.

Consequence:
A BROKEN CONTROL ARM CAN RESULT IN THE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy:
SUBARU DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DEGREE OF CORROSION OF THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS, AND WILL EITHER RUSTPROOF OR REPLACE THEM. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING NOVEMBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.

Notes:
THIS IS SUBARU'S SAFETY RECALL NUMBER WVX-34. OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .

[Tony Zullo]

200$ is a great deal there a ton around but polished will look great we have them on our rolling chasis.