Control arms: purch. from FCPGroton and lower front rear arms seem longer than stock

[jakecro]

FCP insists that they are the same length. Is there anyone here that can measure their front lower rear arms (curved arm) that have been replaced so I may compare the measurement to mine?

The packing list included with my shipment had the following #s listed for the mentioned parts:
4D0407693AC
4D0407694AC

And the numbers on the bags that the arms came in were:
8E0407694AC
4D0407693AC

But the numbers on the arms themselves were:
4D0407693E
8E0407694 7RL

They insist that these numbers are all interchangeable, and they may be, but why are the 'replacement' arms longer than stock. I feel that if these were installed they would not only incorrectly center the wheel but would also cause adverse drive line angles.

I emailed the following picture to them and they insist that there is no difference in length...you be the judge.





This is the measurement I need:



Thanks for the help!

[BlackS4TT(Josh)]

From what i can see in these pictures, the arms look identical in length.

I drew these lines to illustrate: The vertical lines are exactly parallel, and they intersect each arm at the same points. (Left vertical line interesects each arm at the center of the left-hand bushing. Right vertical line crosses through the center of each right-hand bushing.)

[Jsmooth65]

ahhh isn't there an optical illusion test similar to this?

And yes those are the exact same size. FAIL.

[Matt@JHM]

You are a victim of an optical illusion. I took the bottom stock control arm and overlayed it over the top and colored it red.

[quickdub]

The only variation is between the aluminum spindle cars and the cast iron spindles... i believe the ball joint taper part is a different size. I have an extra set of the lower fronts for the aluminum uprights if anyone is intersted... now that i think about it.. LOL!