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2003 Cambiocorsa GT Spyder - suspension

3K views 19 replies 7 participants last post by  PaulCalvert1969 
#1 ·
I have recently bought the above, which was a Japanese import and only has 18k miles on the clock. The car is immaculate but because it has spent a fair amount of its life in storage, the rubber around the suspension ball joints has deteriorated, which means I have to replace the joints.
Maserati can get hold of a couple of the joints (the front upper) but are saying that the rear upper and lower arms are no longer available.
Basically I want to get hold of all six, my mechanic can do the work rather than pay Maserati's labour charges.
Has anyone had any experience or can help with either:
1 - Sourcing these items
2 - Finding suitable alternatives
3 - Experience of using synthetic alternatives
Your help would be hugely appreciated.
 
#2 ·
Welcome. Fingers crossed you will just have to replace the dust covers? Which is not expensive. The real issue is whether their deteriation has caused "play" in the joints. If so you've got an expensive problem to deal with. New control arms are very rare to find and at present there are no alternatives. Furthermore, the ball joints are considered unrepairable although a firm in Europe claims to be able to remanufacture them. I don't know of anyone who has tried their service though. A chap here (@lambertius) has been working on replacement arms and his thread will give you a good insight into the problem you potentially face.

As a recent import it will have had to pass homologation which includes meeting MOT standards. If there is play in the ball joints this should have been picked up.
 
#8 ·
Re: lack of service history, at the very least it would be good practice to refresh all fluids front & back. Also, the oil & air filters plus the auxiliary belt to err on the side of caution. All small ticket items. What condition and age are the tyres. Brake pads okay? Again, an independent specialist inspection would be well worth it. Which part of the Country are you?

Re: the suspension dust covers, yes, they can be changed. @GP79 did his fronts sometime ago whilst this video shows what's involved for rears:
 
#13 ·
I've also come across this but believe they are specifically for the rear
 
#18 ·
Thanks for all your help on this.
I have purchased all the dust covers as per your sage advice.
My mechanic has replaced the rear lowers and is doing the front ones on Saturday.
The issue he now has is getting to the bolts for the rear uppers. It looks like the whole subframe needs dropping down but he doesn't want to damage the roof hydraulics etc. - is this something I will need to take the car to Maserati to do?
 
#19 ·
Suspect your mechanic means gearbox hydraulics - the roof lines are well out of the way. Lowering the subframe is the accepted way to get the control arm bolt out. You don't need to remove the subframe completely though - undoing the mounting bolts sufficiently to give access is enough.

For these older models (mine included) the last place you want to go to is a Maserati dealership. If your mechanic is uncomfortable doing it your best bet will be your nearest independent specialist
 
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