I live in New England so our vehicles take a beating form all the road salt applied. I replaced my lower trailing arms a few years ago and when I examined the old arms after removal, I found they looked a lot worse than they actually were. With hindsight, I should have removed the arms, soaked them in oil for a few days and re-installed them then repeat the process once a year.

 

Well I just bought this 97 and am having some replacements made.


I am gonna go with 1.5 DOM with a .250 wall. I think after using bed liner to coat these I should be good to go.

 

...because I just (last Sunday) realized that my trailing arms are also very rusted. After looking through the 'net, and after finding this site, I decided to buy the PMT Fabrication parts. However, I have some misgivings:
1. I could not find any trace of that company prior to 2010.
2. After asking a direct question of how many years they were in business, I was told "many."
3. The business address given on the site is a private residence.
4. After asking when can I expect shipment of my part(s), I was told that my order "is being processed."
5. They are not registered with BBB because "we are not the kind of business being associated with the BBB" (didn't know you had to be some special kind of business to register with BBB).
6. There is no information about the number of employees, annual sales, or, frankly, anything at all that I would associate with a successful web business.
7. They are not associated with the Prosper, TX Chamber of Commerce.
8. I have a suspicion (no proof) they troll the websites like this one to promote their business by posting the question " have you heard of PMT Fabrication? They seem pretty good."

Did any of you guys actually bought/received/installed their product? I would appreciate answers, because, frankly, I'm getting nervous.

 

Try this ebay seller. These arms are made by Moroso, I can't find anything online about them being made but the paperwork that came with the upper trailing arms said Moroso. They are very good quality, have polyurethane bushings installed and the shipping was very quick.

Ford Expedition rear lower control arms - eBay (item 220748608946 end time Apr-01-11 20:19:32 PDT)


Ford Expedition rear upper control arms - eBay (item 220740883542 end time Mar-18-11 17:13:36 PDT)

 

Thanks, JDMitchell. Is that $185 for each or a pair?

Also, unfortunately, I have already made a payment via PayPal to PMT. I'll call them (i.e. April) tomorrow and try to get some answers. If I don't get the right answers, I'm going to stop payment and cancel the order. I'm just a bit nervous when I can see right through a trailing arm of the car my wife and kid drive in every day, so I'm in a bit of rush to get the part...

 

To petesexpy: A number of people on FTE have purchased/recommended PMT and I haven't read any negative comments or problems about them. They have a really good product and far superior than OEM and cheaper. I understand you are in a rush but be patient. I think it will work out just fine.

Check these out on ebay also. I wonder if they are Moroso? A lot less than the others on ebay and even get free shipping!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2000-...#ht_500wt_1182

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1997-...#ht_500wt_1182

 

I just purchased OEM at the ford dealer for 125.67 each for my wifes Nav...she's on her way to pick them up now.

 

The ebay prices are for the pair. PMT has a good reputation from everything I have heard, but you pay a premium to do business with them. That is why I went a different route.

 

They most definently had Moroso paperwork but no logos or other markings were present on the arms themselves. For the price I would reccomend these arms to anyone that is looking for a strong yet inexpensive alternative to PMT or OEM peices.

 

I suggest that you relax, quit bothering them, and just wait for your parts to show up. I installed a pair of lower PMT arms on my vehicle and they were very nicely constructed. Here is my post on the issue:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...ml#post8653438

 

Hmmm... why would you say that I am bothering them? I did not give any indication of it in my post...
Anyway, all I'm saying is that it wouldn't take much to answer a few simple questions (history, location, or where do the parts come from). Incidentally, the business phone number is a cell phone registered in McKinney, TX, and there is no PMT Fabrication in the White or Yellow Pages of that area. So, where do these parts come from? I'm NOT questioning quality, but I would like to know to what and whom am I trusting the safety of my wife and kid, that's all. And I did read yours and others' stories about the PMT arms and that's what prompted me to purchase them. I hope I don't come through like an SOB because that's not my intention.

BTW, just found out the arms are shipping today. I'll keep you posted.

 

My local Ford dealer quoted me $198.99 each with no hardware. For $125 I'd buy them without hesitation.

 

I know a guy at the dealer so I got them cheaper.. forgot to mention that. Check out the link below, a member on the f150forum offers 10% over cost to any members on OEM parts, when I did a look up it was the same cost.

**All OEM Ford Parts at 10% over Cost - Ford F150 Forum - Community of Ford Truck Fans

 

Now I badly need the torque specs for the control arm bolts...anyone know?

 

From my service manual for a 98 (likely the same). All of the bolts for upper and lower arms are 94-127 lb/ft or 128-172 nm. The track bar to rear axle bolt is 125-172 lb/ft or 170-230 nm.