Notices
1997 - 2003 F150 1997-2003 F150, 1997-1999 F250LD, 7700 & 2004 F150 Heritage
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Auxito

Rotted upper-control arm mount. Pics inside

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 11, 2015 | 09:52 AM
  #1  
zpike00eb's Avatar
zpike00eb
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Rotted upper-control arm mount. Pics inside

Friends f150 decided to let go of its upper control arm mount this week.

I do alot of fabrication and took on the job for him. I've done a lot of jeep frames, and there are companies that make replacement frame sections, just curious if anyone knew of any that made them for the Fords.

This mounts placement seems very important for correct camber so I'm hesistant to box everything in with 1/8" myself.

Any suggestions?








 
Reply
Old May 11, 2015 | 04:37 PM
  #2  
enriched&beyound's Avatar
enriched&beyound
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,446
Likes: 9
From: NE Iowa JD Country
Hate to point out the bad news but what is rusted is the frame. yikes
 
Reply
Old May 11, 2015 | 05:14 PM
  #3  
scottscott's Avatar
scottscott
Fleet Mechanic
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,512
Likes: 340
From: Wildwood Pa
Time for a new truck.
 
Reply
Old May 11, 2015 | 08:08 PM
  #4  
enriched&beyound's Avatar
enriched&beyound
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,446
Likes: 9
From: NE Iowa JD Country
My apologies...I was so flabbergasted by the photos I forgot to read the post.

Might be better to replace the whole sub-frame. I'm sure it can be done ...but by the time you get everything clamped down so it can't move & cut out the rotten area and fab up the plates and return it to some structural integrity. Not to mention getting the upper A arm mount in a correct location. YA could probably have the whole sub- frame swapped out with a descent donor from a salvage yard.

It beggs the question, what about the other side and the integrity of the engine mounts on the inside of the frame?
 
Reply
Old May 11, 2015 | 08:35 PM
  #5  
steve(ill)'s Avatar
steve(ill)
Hotshot
20 Year Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,931
Likes: 180
If your a decent welder, it can be done. I have done similar, but not on an F150. The "new" mount will need to have the holes within 1/8 inch of the original location so you can do a proper alignment. Note that the bolt thru the rubber mount needs room on each side for sockets to get to the head and nut. You loosen the bolt and push in or pull out the control arm to get proper caster / camber. If you know what your doing, it should work OK ...... watch out of the ABS wire / brake line / other elect cables in the area. Of course, your removing the inner fender and a variety of item for access for the welder....... I agree with the other posters, your going to replace or beef up a section of the frame also, in addition to the mount....... as mentioned, check motor mounts, etc and make sure this is worthwhile and an isolated problem.
 
Reply
Old May 12, 2015 | 07:05 PM
  #6  
brokenleg's Avatar
brokenleg
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,493
Likes: 21
I would get a different truck. Thats just one area. What about the rest of the truck?
 
Reply
Old May 13, 2015 | 07:06 AM
  #7  
96sherm's Avatar
96sherm
Post Fiend
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 20,099
Likes: 7
From: Yorkton Sask
Wow. Thats ugly and 1/2!! Does he live near a salt factory or something? We have a lot of salt on our roads in the winter but I've never seen something that bad on a truck this new before!!
 
Reply
Old May 13, 2015 | 09:43 AM
  #8  
zpike00eb's Avatar
zpike00eb
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
An update:

Went for it yesterday. Tore it down and found a good 6" hole in the frame. Motor mounts were solid. Decided it was worth the fix as the rot seems to be isolated in the front half of the frame. Top is 1/4" sides are 3/16". Boxed the stock mount with 1/8" instead of fabbing one because of time/money concerns from the owner. Ran out of gas so had to use Innersheild but welds come out OK. Got the factory mount as close as possible and replaced the control arm while I was in there because of the operating angle of the ball joint when the mount broke.

Set the camber adjustment to around 50% to allow for stock adjustments. Only the alignment shop will tell the truth. If it's off, cutting the welds for the mount in order to relocate shouldn't be too hard.





 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-3

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
Old May 13, 2015 | 05:16 PM
  #9  
steve(ill)'s Avatar
steve(ill)
Hotshot
20 Year Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,931
Likes: 180
looks pretty good.... they should be able to do a good alignment with that.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
BerndV
2017 - 2022 Super Duty
7
Aug 13, 2023 06:52 AM
fishmanndotcom
Offroad & 4x4
47
Jun 30, 2010 09:09 PM
JPETRO1051
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
1
Oct 17, 2009 09:25 PM
NathanJames
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
51
Jul 13, 2009 01:30 AM
Aussie 53
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
2
May 6, 2008 08:04 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:02 AM.

story-0
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-2
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-7
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE