Prelude Upper Arm Washers

***AZmike*** · 11-23-2002, 01:03 AM

I switched to the Prelude upper arms several months ago and ever since I've had an occasional clunk sound. The sound happens when I know the control arm is being pushed against (sharp low speed turns, changing from accelerating to braking for example). The two mounting bolts fit through the holes in the chassis so I figured I had put the correct thickness of washers on. Now that I've had this noise for a while I'm thinking I might have put the wrong number on.

How many of what thickness washer did those of you with quiet Prelude control arms use, and where (which side of the control oarm on the bolt) did you put them? I put one large +1" diameter 1/8" washer on each side of the arm and another smaller diameter 1/8" washer on one side (I forget which side now). So 3/8" total.

Thanks in advance

**anchovies** · 11-23-2002, 02:07 AM

I couldn't find washers that is sold by thickness. I just used some thick washers, actually more than 2 for a side and put the washers between the bolt arm and stock deep washer. No clunking sound for me.

***AZmike*** · 11-23-2002, 09:54 AM

Did you put the same number of washers on each side of the arm?

**jigga225** · 11-23-2002, 12:25 PM

ah i did i think it was like 2 each side

**Scorpion88LX** · 11-23-2002, 12:28 PM

so whats the advatage of the prelude control arm?

***AZmike*** · 11-23-2002, 01:44 PM

Adjustable camber. Once the car goes below 1.5" drop they are necessary. I got them since both of my ball joints were bad and it was cheaper to replace the prelude ball joints. Later when I upgrade the suspension I'll already have what I need to correct the camber.

**anchovies** · 11-24-2002, 12:48 AM

Different number of washers. I just used what I could find in the garage I was working in to make the bolts go through the fender correctly.

**anchovies** · 11-24-2002, 12:48 AM

Different number of washers. I just used what I could find in the garage I was working in to make the bolts go through the fender correctly.

***AZmike*** · 11-24-2002, 05:23 PM

What diameter were the washers? Just a little bigger than the bolt or almost as big and the metal piece that covers the bushing on the arm? Were they all the same size? I know this might sound stupid, but I'm trying to find all the differences between my noisy setup and those that work correctly.

Thanks again.

**anchovies** · 11-24-2002, 10:54 PM

The real washers (as oppose to the rigged washers I found on the floor and used) are as big as the metal piece. A little more than an inch in diameter. The diameter and inner hole diameter are the same, but the thickness varies. Did you grease the arm up?