1979-1993 & 94 Conv [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
I always used to admire the metal-sparing design of the "double wishbone" control arms of the 99-900, as contrasted with the giant pressed slab of sheet steel used on American cars. But having this arm crack apart on the car I have been driving and trusting, at high rates of speed, has shaken me a little.
It wasn't under any special stress when it happened, just a firm application of the brakes at a speed of maybe 20-25 miles an hour. I haven't skidded it sideways into any curbs, nor had its prior driver as far as I've heard. I have not abused the car at all and even if I had it should not have wheels falling off, even at 18 years of northern-climate age (it's an 89). It has for us moderate rust, some door-bottom holes near weatherstrip attaching holes, lower frame rail on RH side could stand to be repaired, but body is pretty sound still
What I think happened is that rust scale thinned and weakened the web of the rear arm near where the pivot shaft comes through it, and that's plainly a point where stress is strong. No prior warnings of trouble.
I can fix it but need to go used - - ScanTech doesn't make the upper arms or Eeuroparts at least doesn't sell them.
I've spotted Sven-Erik Jonasson's post of last April 29 reporting that he was able to install a new upper LH control arm with engine in car, after removing alternator, coolant reservoir, and oil filter mounting from block, then finding just the right angle and bending-pushing the last 4-5 millimeters - - I hope he means the sheet metal.
And Gorper's post of Feb. 10 '05 relaying an old shop trick for beating book time by cutting the pivot rod and bending the forks in enough to get the arm in from the wheel well, then re-forming into shape and welding the rod back whole.
I also recall a post on here that showed the rally drivers' reinforcement of the A-arms by welding a solid web of steel across the open interiors, though I doubt I could motivate for that unless I take one of these babies entirely apart and rebuild for speed.
I've got to repair this car as it's one I've been borrowing. Hope one of the local indies will sell the arm off a parts car cheap enough. Then think I'll try Sven-Erik's approach.
I'll post my results on here.
Since I haven't found a single other report of the upper arms cracking, and since no one has reported a catastrophic wreck after a lower one cracked, mostly parking-lot incidents, and since the lowers can be inspected easily and replaced pretty easily, I guess I'm still a believer in the car.
What gets me is, what if mine had broken after hard braking AT SPEED in traffic or near rocks and trees? Front wheels shouldn't fall off and mine did.
posted by 71.241.194...
1
, Fri, 2 Mar 2007 10:21:20, Sat, 3 Mar 2007 12:05:17
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