Control Arm Broke
#1
Control Arm Broke
'98 Quattro 2.8 passenger side lower control arm BROKE where ball joint attaches. Fortunately, I was just pulling out of a driveway (10 mph), so damage was limited to slicing one of my brand new tires and wrinkling the fender lip edge. [the car dropped down onto the tire]. Car recently had an alignment; everything was tight. => Has anyone experienced this before? Now I'm wondering if I should do the driver's side??
#2
Its pretty common to do CA's in 4's or pairs (ie both front wheels or both driver's side wheels, or all four at the same time). At the very least, you should do all the arms on a given corner when one of them starts to go. Not only is that a pretty good idea safety-wise, its usually cheaper in the long run. I elected to do them one at a time whenever they would start to squeak or clunk, and over the last 2 years its probably cost me well more than it would if i did them all at the same time.
As for experience, not personally. Though my buddy just had the same thing happen on his Lexus. Quite literally actually. His is still sitting on the tire in the driveway
EDIT: I also thought it would be worth cautioning you about buying control arms. Make sure you're buying the right thing. I say this because, in the front for example, there are upper and lower control arms, forward and rear position. Be sure to be specific when ordering so you get all the right parts. Its also recommended that you change the TRE's when you do the control arms.
As for experience, not personally. Though my buddy just had the same thing happen on his Lexus. Quite literally actually. His is still sitting on the tire in the driveway
EDIT: I also thought it would be worth cautioning you about buying control arms. Make sure you're buying the right thing. I say this because, in the front for example, there are upper and lower control arms, forward and rear position. Be sure to be specific when ordering so you get all the right parts. Its also recommended that you change the TRE's when you do the control arms.
Last edited by CCA4; 01-01-2010 at 01:31 PM.
#3
For safety sake, I would bite the bullet and do the whole kit 'n kaboodle. It'll be a headache now, but will save you from chasing squeaks and clunks in the future. You can try to spend some time to find a shop willing to do the job, but if you are even moderately mechanically inclined, you should be able to accomplish this job yourself.
the Blauparts kit is
what I went with a year ago and I couldn't be happier!!
the Blauparts kit is
what I went with a year ago and I couldn't be happier!!
#4
The odd thing is, the control arm broke right at the balljoint. I put a photo in my album if you want to check it out. Kind of puzzling WHY it broke. https://www.audiforums.com/forum/usercp.php
Last edited by Blueman; 01-02-2010 at 10:31 AM. Reason: added link to the photo
#5
That link is to the User CP, this one is the picture:
https://www.audiforums.com/forum/alb...pictureid=7923
Thats wild man. Glad you weren't driving or anything though. Was it squeakin or clunkin or anything before it broke?
https://www.audiforums.com/forum/alb...pictureid=7923
Thats wild man. Glad you weren't driving or anything though. Was it squeakin or clunkin or anything before it broke?
#6
Its pretty common to do CA's in 4's or pairs (ie both front wheels or both driver's side wheels, or all four at the same time). At the very least, you should do all the arms on a given corner when one of them starts to go. Not only is that a pretty good idea safety-wise, its usually cheaper in the long run. I elected to do them one at a time whenever they would start to squeak or clunk, and over the last 2 years its probably cost me well more than it would if i did them all at the same time.
As for experience, not personally. Though my buddy just had the same thing happen on his Lexus. Quite literally actually. His is still sitting on the tire in the driveway
EDIT: I also thought it would be worth cautioning you about buying control arms. Make sure you're buying the right thing. I say this because, in the front for example, there are upper and lower control arms, forward and rear position. Be sure to be specific when ordering so you get all the right parts. Its also recommended that you change the TRE's when you do the control arms.
As for experience, not personally. Though my buddy just had the same thing happen on his Lexus. Quite literally actually. His is still sitting on the tire in the driveway
EDIT: I also thought it would be worth cautioning you about buying control arms. Make sure you're buying the right thing. I say this because, in the front for example, there are upper and lower control arms, forward and rear position. Be sure to be specific when ordering so you get all the right parts. Its also recommended that you change the TRE's when you do the control arms.
for how long u knew you had to replace control arms?
#8
That link is to the User CP, this one is the picture:
https://www.audiforums.com/forum/alb...pictureid=7923
Thats wild man. Glad you weren't driving or anything though. Was it squeakin or clunkin or anything before it broke?
https://www.audiforums.com/forum/alb...pictureid=7923
Thats wild man. Glad you weren't driving or anything though. Was it squeakin or clunkin or anything before it broke?