This is what happens if you don't replace your control arms (or go aftermarket)

[naughtika]

To quickly explain, I did a wide right turn, I was driving nicely, maybe a little too quick for some but nothing crazy..

several meters after the car wanted to turn left.. feck!

anyway here's what I saw after pulling up..

As you can see the front left tire had pushed in towards the back.. causing it to push into the guard and sideskirts

And upon further inspection, this was what had happened..

and this is when I got dropped off at a train station and the tow truck about to drive away..

Im meant to replace them control arms in 2 weeks time too.. just as a precautionary..

but looks like I was a little too late..

damage isn't that bad, but sure isn't nice..

already got plans on how to attack it..

Paulie's lending me his set of control arms (thanks dude).. so I'll replace all of them once and for all..

then take it to my dad's friend's workshop to get beaten down.. lol I mean straighten up

so to those who hasn't replaced their control arms.. please replace it soon as it can happen when you least expect it..

*update*

and this is how you can determine if its on the way out..

video was from CVR4 which was uploaded by a member..

i experienced the same sound few months then it disappeared before it gave out..

 

[JUSTCRUZN]

O SHIT!!!! that a sad site. sorry to hear mate hope u get it fixed soon

 

[knickers]

That's terrifying, looks like it could lead to quite the accident.

 

[cyber_scriber]

That's terrible news, Christian!

Hope the repairs are straight forward and the car is back on the road soon.

How many K's had the car done?

Which replacement control arms are you getting and where did you get them from?

 

[ed84]

Christ... Good luck with the repair dude.

 

[cittris]

Fark dude! thats insane!

Glad you are ok though. I can't begin to imagine what would happen at high speeds!

 

[naughtika]

thanks fellas.. it should be back on the road by monday, the fender repair will have to wait as I want it back on the road for couple of reasons..

car's done 190k kms.. but I've replaced the control arms about 60k kms ago..

with the replacement, Im getting the ones from Paulie's.. not sure if they're new but we'll see what he says

 

[naughtika]

dont wanna imagine if it happened at 100km/h..

I think I'm going through withdrawals just now... I WANT MY CAR BACK!!!

 

[jungle]

So what exactly happened with what suspension parts? I can see the result, what was the issue with the LCA or was it something else?

 

[cittris]

From what i can see Simon - the ball joint on the LCA collapsed hence the whole assembly.

*shudders*

EDIT: 2nd last pic - You can see the bolt there still.

 

[Guest]

Are the arms you had fitted 60k ago genuine items? I'm comparing them to some on my desk here and they look slightly different.

 

[naughtika]

So what exactly happened with what suspension parts? I can see the result, what was the issue with the LCA or was it something else?

there's nothing wrong with the control arm itself.. its the ball joint that fails on us.. f-ing balls.. lol

luckily the axle got pulled from the hub side and not the transmission side otherwise it'll be more pain for me..

also I see this incident as a sign that I should find a way to upgrade them LCA's looks like Bruce's got another project for me..

my idea is to replace the control arm with high strength alloy and connected to the hub by a heim/rose joint?! I think that's what they're called..

here's a pic of it to give you a better picture.. that item in the picture is used on race cars..

 

[naughtika]

Are the arms you had fitted 60k ago genuine items? I'm comparing them to some on my desk here and they look slightly different.

nah, they're the ebay ones.. can't remember though if they're from world suspension.. I think it would be safe to check and replace them every 2 years?!

 

[Jonson]

Yeah, the actual control arm is fine. The lower ball joint has seperated from the case. The only way for that to happen is for the joint to have significant wear, enough to let it move out of the 'socket', was it noisy or knocky at all? I've had it before with cars, like you said it is MUCH worse when it pulls the shaft out the box (thats what she said) then you have the shaft spinning for a bit smashing into everything it can/cracking housings/Ripping lines and shields etc. So yeah you got out pretty lucky.

 

[unclepaulie]

duuuuuuude! that first pic is a shocker! looks real bad in the pic, at least you got a free guard flaring from it


my LCA's are fine ( i think) i only replaced them cause i could at the time, and i got a new set or arms/bushes from brad(KP) for a great price. ill bring my spares over asap.

 

[naughtika]

duuuuuuude! that first pic is a shocker! looks real bad in the pic, at least you got a free guard flaring from it


my LCA's are fine ( i think) i only replaced them cause i could at the time, and i got a new set or arms/bushes from brad(KP) for a great price. ill bring my spares over asap.

my car's at my gf's place.. I'll be doing the work there.. wanna help on sunday?! I should have power tools and stuff.. so the control arms you got were your previously used ones?!

 

[unclepaulie]

yeah thats cool. and yup, they're my old oem ones. they were replaced in japan under the recall (cant remember the k's, 30ish maybe?) and i replaced them at about 90,000 kms.

ill bring them over anyway, you can decide yay or nay

 

[naughtika]

yeah thats cool. and yup, they're my old oem ones. they were replaced in japan under the recall (cant remember the k's, 30ish maybe?) and i replaced them at about 90,000 kms.

ill bring them over anyway, you can decide yay or nay

cool.. appreciate it

 

[steveP]

That's terrible and something we all worry about happening at high speed. Like someone asked, were they making a knocking noise for a while before it happened?

 

[naughtika]

That's terrible and something we all worry about happening at high speed. Like someone asked, were they making a knocking noise for a while before it happened?

to be honest, there was some knocking sound - more like crunching sound.. but I was certain that it was coming from my coilover's spring seat, that everytime i grease it the sound would instantly go away..