lower control arm carnage

[jnandrsn]

Hi Everyone,

I'm new here, I just picked up a 91 legacy turbo that had basically been sitting for 2 years. Take a look what happened to it! Has anyone seen a control arm break through like that? The driver side has cracks beginning to form.

Passenger side: http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/vu ... wetBQecWrA
Driver side: http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/jK ... PLawdFA1Og

I did a complete front brake job on this car to get it back on the road (in exchange for the car, which seemed like a good deal at the time). I was driving it for about a week after with no issues, then took a few corners reasonably fast on the exit ramp, this happened as I shifted into reverse to parallel park it. The car has crappy generic tires on it...has anyone seen this before and do I have a lot more fun like this to look forward to?

[ericem]

Just replace the lower control arm with a used on that is not nearly as rusted as that one. The lower ball joint will probably be a real pain though.

[evolutionmovement]

First I've seen of that. My car's a New England coast car and the control arms weren't anywhere near that rusty and I didn't really do anything to protect them. The frame, on the other hand, had OEM Subaru precision time-release active anti-corrosion protection (oil leaks) to protect the front and I sprayed rubberized undercoating on the rest every year.

[ericem]

Ya Subaru's anti corrosion protection is awesome!

[Buffman]

most of the rust on my subaru is at the rear wheel wells. I think it's cause the previous owners drove a lot on dirt roads.

Had a big hole in the one wheel well letting dirt in the car. Being a Winter car, I got some steel plate, some self taping screws and some expanding foam. No more Hole:)

[dscoobydoo]

I have a set of aluminum a-arms if interested. No rust issues!!!

[jnandrsn]

First I've seen of that. My car's a New England coast car and the control arms weren't anywhere near that rusty and I didn't really do anything to protect them. The frame, on the other hand, had OEM Subaru precision time-release active anti-corrosion protection (oil leaks) to protect the front and I sprayed rubberized undercoating on the rest every year.

Well at least I'm not the only one. I think that every 15+ year old car I've owned that was from the Chicago area was at least this rusty...never had anything break because of it though. I was hoping to turn this into an autocrosser but I may have to replace (upgrade?) everything first.

[ericem]

Just replace the control arm and driving it. If you are going to autocross might want to consider doing up the suspension either way don't you think.

[93forestpearl]

Hit a pothole in my beater wagon a month ago and noticed the steering wheel pulling significantly to the right. Found this:

[n2x4]

WOW. That is scary. I've seen plenty of bent arms, but never one that was rusted through!

Both of you guys are very lucky that it didn't break any other time!

[evolutionmovement]

Must be salt states. They use sand here.

[AWD_addict]

Damn, those arms are messed up!

[93forestpearl]

WOW. That is scary. I've seen plenty of bent arms, but never one that was rusted through!

Both of you guys are very lucky that it didn't break any other time!

Yeah, I'm glad I was a half mile from home when it happened. If that control arm crunched at 70mph, shit would have gotten real.



I'm in Minnesota, where they put down salt like it's going out of style. We even have technologically advanced salt here. They coat it in molasses so it sticks to the road better.

[chiplrx-sli]

i hate replacing those they are a pain in my arse .