Lower Control arm broke!

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Feb 6, 2011 | 07:31 PM

lamar804

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Senior User

Joined: Jan 2011

Posts: 205

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From: Richmond, VA

Lower Control arm broke!

Well, the (ex)wife was going to the store tonight and the lower control arm broke! So I had it towed to my house. I've never had something like this happen on a vehicle so I need some advice.
I started jacking it up, and realized the tire was not going up, I looked under and the ball joint is still in, but the arm has broken off! And, when the arm broke it ripped open the cv axle boot!
What would be the best way of getting the tire off? Has anyone ever had this happen?
Thanks

BTW: It's an '01 Escape

Last edited by lamar804; Feb 6, 2011 at 07:39 PM. Reason: year and model

Feb 7, 2011 | 05:01 AM

tomw

Logistics Pro

Joined: Jan 2002

Posts: 4,907

Likes: 39

From: suburban atlanta

If you can fit it, a floor jack under the knuckle would be the best bet. If this is a corrosion caused problem, I would be looking for a recall or TSB that addresses the issue. This is a definite safety related failure. Can you imagine the carnage of a failure while driving on a freeway?
tom

Feb 7, 2011 | 06:02 AM

npccpartsman

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Joined: Dec 2003

Posts: 15,368

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From: Stuttgart, Ar

I can also tell you that if you'll do a little research it's MUCH cheaper to buy and change the whole assembly with the ball joints already installed and they're NOT that hard to change.

Feb 7, 2011 | 10:48 AM

bmuhlbach

Cargo Master

Joined: Dec 2006

Posts: 2,511

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From: hinckley ohio

I replaced my lower control arms is pretty easy.Two bolts hold it to the frame and 1 bolt thru the ball joint and I think the sway bar end link.I bought my 1st control arms from Car Quest they lasted under a year and the ball joints where totally shot.2ND set I bought from Ford hopefully these will last.