Author Topic: Gts Control Arm Info (Read 9823 times)

celica83_gts · « **on:** Jul 05, 2007, 12:07:11 am »

While under my car recently, I discovered a crack in one of my rear control arms. This was the beginning of some unsettling discoveries regarding the strength of these parts as they age.

Here's the broken arm-

It was undercoated and looked OK when installed. I didn't know enough at the time to check for cancer, lesson learned. Rust and torque don't mix!

If water gets into them they can rust from the inside out, weakening them before you ever see a sign. I would recommend checking them with the screwdriver test: if you can punch a hole in it, it's shot. The main trouble spot is near the clamp for the E-brake cable. If they pass the test, pull the rubber plugs and squirt a rust neutralizing agent into all the holes. It'll settle in the same place as water would and treat the area. Once that's dry, follow up with a good dousing of Rust-Check or similar oily rust preventer on the inside, then replace the plugs.

Just for interest, here's the inside of an arm I cut open-

The reinforcement runs from the hub to the inside arm. The outer arm is just the thickness of the stamping, hence it's vulnerability to rust.

I now have a good pair under the car, along with new bushings. It's all good now, tighter than it's felt in quite a while.

celicaskater · « **Reply #1 on:** Jul 05, 2007, 12:30:35 am »

ok, I have ahd the same problem just not as bad... I have looked high and low for control arms. How did you get some so fast?

a2ndopinion · « **Reply #2 on:** Jul 05, 2007, 01:46:06 am »

Damn!
That almost needs its own sticky! I suppose it is much worse up there in the "Great White North" and in NE USofA more so than the rest of the country, but... DAMN! I expect all GTS owners are heading out with screwdrivers as soon as they read this.

celica83_gts · « **Reply #3 on:** Jul 05, 2007, 02:23:50 am »

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ok, I have ahd the same problem just not as bad... I have looked high and low for control arms. How did you get some so fast?

Got "new" arms from the local PicknPull. Had to take one each from a pair of Supra's there, swap backing plates, E-brakes, stub axles, install bushings.... it was a pain.

If you ever have to do this, don't struggle with the outer bolt, it usually seizes tight. Just remove the nut and cut the bolt head off just inside the bracket (or the bracket itself, if you don't need the crossmember). You'll wreck the old bushing, but this is the ideal time to change them anyway. The inner (adjuster) bolt usually comes apart fairly easily.

To remove the old bushings, I drilled holes with a small bit around the inner sleeve to remove some rubber. This relieves the pressure holding the bushing in the arm, allowing you to drive it out with a hammer. They can be burned out if you prefer, I don't like the stink myself. Once the bushings were out, I cleaned the outer sleeves with an abrasive flapper wheel in a die grinder, a drill would work as well. From there just install the new bushings per instructions.

I used Energy Suspension bushings. The outer bushings included inner sleeves and were fine, but the inner bushings reuse the old inner sleeve, which is barbell shaped. This leaves the bushing unsupported in the middle, which I didn't like. Since I have access to a lathe I cut new sleeves, but I'm wondering if anyone has noticed any problem using the stock sleeves.

IMPORTANT! Replace the outer bolt with one of equal or better quality. I picked up new ones from Toyota for $7 apiece.

Quote

Damn!
That almost needs its own sticky! I suppose it is much worse up there in the "Great White North" and in NE USofA more so than the rest of the country, but... DAMN! I expect all GTS owners are heading out with screwdrivers as soon as they read this.

Haha! They'd better not rush out and wreck their control arms until they know where to get replacements! Actually, punching the rusty part out would make little difference in strength.

celicaskater · « **Reply #4 on:** Jul 05, 2007, 02:29:21 am »

I am talking to a guy from celicasupra about one for my car... He wants $160 shipped... He says it is in good condition and was recently painted for protection. Is that reasonable? It is off an 83GT-S, that'll fit right?

tomyc48 · « **Reply #5 on:** Jul 05, 2007, 02:30:42 am »

my GT-S is makign a clankign noise in teh rear too adn i thought it sounded like a loose drive shaft at first but i can't find it. maybe that's my prob. and i'm shovign 319 HP down it;s throght

celica83_gts · « **Reply #6 on:** Jul 05, 2007, 02:32:59 am »

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I am talking to a guy from celicasupra about one for my car... He wants $160 shipped... He says it is in good condition and was recently painted for protection. Is that reasonable? It is off an 83GT-S, that'll fit right?

I don't know if the disc brakes will bolt to an '83 arm. Better look a little closer...

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my GT-S is makign a clankign noise in teh rear too adn i thought it sounded like a loose drive shaft at first but i can't find it. maybe that's my prob. and i'm shovign 319 HP down it;s throght

Check your sway bar mounts too. BOTH of mine were busted off the control arms, I'm guessing that severe squatting puts the links at too much of an angle. And you DO have severe squat, don't you!

I'm looking into making a better end link setup to avoid this issue.

celicaskater · « **Reply #7 on:** Jul 05, 2007, 02:33:48 am »

Isn't the rear the exact same though?

celica83_gts · « **Reply #8 on:** Jul 05, 2007, 02:41:14 am »

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Isn't the rear the exact same though?

'83 has drum brakes and I've never taken them apart to see how the brakes mount to the arm. I'm not saying they WON"T fit, but I'd make sure before dropping the cash.

tomyc48 · « **Reply #9 on:** Jul 05, 2007, 02:44:55 am »

it squat like it was takgin a shit in the woods.

83GTCoupe · « **Reply #10 on:** Jul 05, 2007, 02:59:48 am »

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it squat like it was takgin a shit in the woods.

I can vouch for that!

Probably need wheelie bars on a SRA.

tomyc48 · « **Reply #11 on:** Jul 05, 2007, 03:08:40 am »

maybe on the MK1 whenteh 2J goes in. even if its' just for show.

wyoming9 · « **Reply #12 on:** Jul 11, 2007, 07:56:02 am »

I am really confused I am told by every parts place I call That the Celica GTS has no rear control arms

Rear suspension arms but not control arms

I paid $50.00 for the whole rear suspension

Being used to trucks the control arms ,rear on the sra I would call torque arms Go figure

medeiros2021 · « **Reply #13 on:** Jun 06, 2008, 12:24:02 am »

Anyone know of somewhere to get these NEW. Price doesn't really matter, I'd just prefer to have new ones if they need to be replaced.

83GTCoupe · « **Reply #14 on:** Jun 06, 2008, 01:13:23 am »

Dealer item only new, and I'm not sure what you'll dig up on that. You may get lucky locating it, but it will be spendy. I know my bent strut rod was dealer only new, and roughly $125.00 after taxes.