Help Needed Lower Front suspension Factory tools

[Fatboy 18]

Hello, we have a problem with trying to separate the front knuckle (Hub) from the Lower control arm on a Gen II Viper.

According to the workshop manual there are two tools required.

Remover, Ball Joint C - 4150A

And

Spacer, Control Arm Removing 6983

I have managed to track down and order this morning The Ball Joint splitter C-4150A, But I can't find the Spacer anywhere!

If any of you have one, would it be possible for you to accratuary measure it and give me the dimensions so I could get one made in the UK.

This part.
27744

Or if you are willing to sell it or loan it out, even better.
Thanks
Mark
UK VP.

And waits for Dave 6666 to come along To say he has plenty in stock! :D

[GTS Dean]

A flat washer with a notch cut out will work. The Miller part is taper ground near the opening so it will slip under the boot easily. The purpose of the washer is to keep the 4150 tool from marring the aluminum upright.

[Fatboy 18]

Do you happen to know how thick the washer is? It would be handy to know the measurements
Thanks

[bluesrt]

a washer that size will be thick enough for you needs/ dealer may be able to get you the tool

[GTS Dean]

Do you happen to know how thick the washer is? It would be handy to know the measurements
Thanks

2"OD, 7/8" opening. Short tapers at opening.

[Fatboy 18]

2"OD, 7/8" opening. Short tapers at opening.

Thank you very much, Exactly the information I was looking for.

[My98RT10]

It is 3mm thick.

[Fatboy 18]

It is 3mm thick. Thank you.

We swapped out both lower control arms yesterday. I purchased the Remover, Ball Joint C - 4150A

It did the job perfectly.

[My98RT10]

Congrats, Mark!

That spacer is part of this suspension tool set. The remover however isn't... ;-)

http://i1359.photobucket.com/albums/q800/My98ViperRT10/Tools/DSC_0121_zps69bctxfe.jpg

[Fatboy 18]

I wonder why they don't include the remover in that kit?

[Fatboy 18]

The Cracked control arms, Both lower control arms were cracked on my friends Viper! Not only was it cracked on one side the other side of the bush had a hairline crack through it, it would have only needed a few more miles and it would have broken clean off!
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4372/37182892155_bbb163d4bf_c.jpg

Purchased the Miller ball joint splitter and the knuckle came clean off, Great bit kit.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4392/37182861785_a6c9246334_c.jpg

New control arm
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4411/36368728283_2b318e5533_c.jpg
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4415/37040741871_d8c57ce7ab_c.jpg

We caught this just in time.

This is the second Gen II UK Viper that I know of, that has had this problem!

For those of you that USE your cars its well worth checking those bush areas on the control arms for cracking!

[GTS Dean]

Good Lord! What do the bushings look like?

[mackzilla]

That would have been a shit show.

[Fatboy 18]

Good Lord! What do the bushings look like?

The Bushings were actually not that bad, the broken control arms were on my friends 1998 GT2 /GTSR.

It could have been seriously bad! We both drive in a (how should I put this.... a spirited fashion) with Neil recently returning from the Ring where he met Russ and Bernie.
Im Just amazed we had to change TWO Front Lower Control arms!
They could have given out anytime!
The replacement control arms came with fitted bushings so we did not disturb them.
The car does need a realignment now.

[Fatboy 18]

That would have been a shit show.

Think that's a bit of an understatement! With both control arms breaking the wheels would have folded up into the front arches ripping the hood sides apart, the cars nose would have hit the deck folding up and the bottom of the engine sump pan would most likely been ripped off along with damage to the bellhousing. if the car had decided to go sideways then it would have ended very very badly, + of course you may have taken someone else out with you!

[GTS Dean]

Besides your other noted failure, I think I've only ever heard of one more in the US. Is there a possibility that some road treatment material (de-icer?) in use over there may have contributed to the problem? What was the year model of the other one?

[Fatboy 18]

I know of this happening on a 2000 Steel Grey GTS and Neils 1998 GT2 All were imports to the UK. We don't often drive these on salted roads, most of these cars are stored over winter. The cars probably do a couple of thousand miles a year if that. Thats why I am always checking mine, better to be safe than sorry! We do a couple of charity Track fun days a year.

[mackzilla]

Think that's a bit of an understatement! With both control arms breaking the wheels would have folded up into the front arches ripping the hood sides apart, the cars nose would have hit the deck folding up and the bottom of the engine sump pan would most likely been ripped off along with damage to the bellhousing. if the car had decided to go sideways then it would have ended very very badly, + of course you may have taken someone else out with you!

Pretty much exactly what I imagined. I've seen rear control arms let loose and cause the car to role. We "box" the thin steel control arms on our early porsches to avoid this scenario from happening.