Check your control arms!
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 754
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Check your control arms!
Hey Guys,
I'm sure many of you are aware that the control arm on our cars is a weak spot, and boy did I discover that last night!! I was driving about 55-60mph down the highway when my wheel all of the sudden shifted to one side and the car dropped, I immediately pulled off and there was a NTB directly across the street that I carefully maneuvered the car to. It was jacked up on a lift; the mechanic and myself looked at each other in disbelief as to what we were seeing. The whole shop could not believe their eyes. The driver side was almost completely torn off at the ball joint, it was scary and could have ended badly. I drive my car around windy back roads all the time by my house, I cannot imagine if this happened on a late night on one of these roads.
My car is inspected regularly and has 91k miles, the rust forms from the inside of this part which is hard to see and quickly deteriorates the outside by the looks of it. I never drive the car in winter weather, so rain or either washing the car and then leaving it sit can cause this. I hit a bad pothole not too long ago on the driver side, this is why is was most likely much worse than the other side. Please just check it if you have not already. I have yet to check my spring perches, but plan to soon when this gets fixed.
I hope this helps someone!!
I'm sure many of you are aware that the control arm on our cars is a weak spot, and boy did I discover that last night!! I was driving about 55-60mph down the highway when my wheel all of the sudden shifted to one side and the car dropped, I immediately pulled off and there was a NTB directly across the street that I carefully maneuvered the car to. It was jacked up on a lift; the mechanic and myself looked at each other in disbelief as to what we were seeing. The whole shop could not believe their eyes. The driver side was almost completely torn off at the ball joint, it was scary and could have ended badly. I drive my car around windy back roads all the time by my house, I cannot imagine if this happened on a late night on one of these roads.
My car is inspected regularly and has 91k miles, the rust forms from the inside of this part which is hard to see and quickly deteriorates the outside by the looks of it. I never drive the car in winter weather, so rain or either washing the car and then leaving it sit can cause this. I hit a bad pothole not too long ago on the driver side, this is why is was most likely much worse than the other side. Please just check it if you have not already. I have yet to check my spring perches, but plan to soon when this gets fixed.
I hope this helps someone!!
Last edited by RPB; Jun 30, 2015 at 07:01 PM.
Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 129
Likes: 5
From: Ohio
2001 E55 AMG
Check your control arms!
Here is mine, replacing driver's side tonight. Also what it was doing to the tire. I was hearing a thump or slap of the tire around 15-20 mph. At highway speeds didn't hear it much. The tire wear led me to look for the out-of-camber look as well. New ball and control arm online for $86 shipped. Parts look real good to this weekend mechanic.
