Thread: Rear radius arm interchangeability fat vs skinny

why do you want to change them?

I thought it was the earlier arms that were narrower?

they are not only different widths but have different pins at the chassis end.....so even if the wider ones fitted in thw narrow type axle housing end the pin is an issue I believe.....

Serg

The very early arms are the skinny type as well (1976) to change those over to the later fat arms requires the chassis bush as it is different. You run into problems with that though because the hole spacing is slightly different on the chassis mount.

Main reason it would be useful for me to swap them is that I could give the fat '88 arms, that are in my shed, to a mechanic to press the bushes whilst I still have use of the car, then swap the arms over in my shed. Would thus save the hassle of getting the car to the mechanic and getting back to pick it up, plus save me paying someone to do the work other than the pressing. I don't have a press. Also wondered whether one type was stronger than the other.
If the bushes I've bought won't fit the older arms, I'll just stick with what i've got.

Originally Posted by uninformed

I thought it was the earlier arms that were narrower?


Serg

My 88RRC had the fat arms (around 1" thick), also a set I have from a 87RRC are the fat ones; my 90RRC, 94RRC with EAS plus my 97D1 all have skinny radius arms (look like around 3/4").

Originally Posted by POD

My 88RRC had the fat arms (around 1" thick), also a set I have from a 87RRC are the fat ones; my 90RRC, 94RRC with EAS plus my 97D1 all have skinny radius arms (look like around 3/4").

where are you measuring them???

fat arms are way stronger..we bent the skinnys on our old D1 beast, but never bent the RR fat ones that replaced them

Originally Posted by INter674

fat arms are way stronger..we bent the skinnys on our old D1 beast, but never bent the RR fat ones that replaced them

So were they a straight swap?

I beleive some people are getting confused with the terminolgy you are using.

By radius arms I assume you a re refering to the rear lower links (these are not radius arms, radius arms are what you have at the front).

The skinny links are rubbish (a joke actually) and are interchangable for the larger diameter units from an 88. But still even these are fairly weak.

EDIT: forgot you already had bushings. The differential bushing is the same. I also beleive the 88 has the same pin size, so the chassis end bushing (bolt in type) should be the same aswell. You mention you have the arms and the bushings so just check the ID of the chassis bush with the OD of the 88 rear link thread/pin.

EDIT2: Another simple upgrade to the standard fatter links is to sleave them with some NB tube/pipe, I have done this to two sets for added strength. So if you have some pipe and welding skills, you can sleeve them prior to fitment.