Color difference on control arms?????

[Musky Hunter]

did you really type "hands" impala?

 

[impalapower]

I spelled it right. Yes I did. I have the basic keyboard, nothin' special.

 

[Frostbite]

I knew it! I always seem to be a little late in answering triva questions like this. Oh well, I have been thinking about putting the aluminum upper A arms on my 03.
I have seen and heard of WAY too many cracked bulkheads on 03 RX-1s. I believe that in addition to saving weight the aluminum A arms act as a sacrificial lamb in a severe impact. In my opinion they were designed to buckle before the bulkhead will crack (or at least in theory they're supposed to).
Does anyone remember how much of weight savings on the 04 model was pinned to replacing the A arms with an aluminum version? How about the magnesium chaincase cover on the 05?

 

[impalapower]

So Frosty, is that why they changed them?

 

[Frostbite]

I'd bet it's at least part of the reason. Those steel A arms can transfer a heck of an impact directly to their cast aluminum mount on frame bulkhead. The aluminum A arms would (at least in theory) dampen a severe impact and in a perfect work absorb much of the energy without transfering it to the bulkhead.
In my opinion it was probably a 50/50 proposition between saving weight and waranty claims. Frosty

 

[Convert]

It wouldn't hurt to try. They'll just slap your hands.

And for repeat offenders we cut off your