Anyone have access to some illustrations showing a Chevy Astro front suspension (2 wheel drive). A friend of mine has an Astro van that, from what I could tell without getting underneath the car, has a broken fastener that holds the inside part of the drivers side upper control arm to the frame. With this part broken it makes the top of the tire go toward the center of the car REAL BAD - essentially undrivable. I will go by the dealer Monday and try to figure out which part it is but was just wondering if anyone on here had an illustration that I could look at between now and then.
thanks

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Jim

anybody?

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Jim

Any vehicles that we have fixed with the problem you describe is usually a failure of the unibody where the upper control arm mounts, and not just a part breaking. You might get lucky, but chances are,,,,,,,,,. We fix tons of stuff like that and if it is the unibody be prepared for a pricey repair, and MAKE SURE you trust the people making the repair, as this is a very critical operation.

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95 SL500 Smoke Silver, Parchment 64K
07 E350 4matic Station Wagon White 34K
02 E320 4Matic Silver/grey 80K
05 F150 Silver 44K

Thanks PG - I was planning on having him bring the van to my house and do the work for him. He took it to a tire shop and they pretty much indicated to him the same thing you are saying - something with the frame section tearing away causing it. From what I could tell when I looked at the car all I saw was the broken fastener. I may try to get down there with a jack and see if I can get a better look.
thanks

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Jim

I got it apart today and found the attached broken fastener. I am planning on replacing both of these while in there. The vehicle is my boss squared car so I guess he got lucky.

These fasteners hold the drivers side front upper control arm support to the frame member. The guy drove the vehicle to the house (15 miles) with just one of these holding the upper control arm to the frame . Vehicle has 212k miles.

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Jim

Jim,

You might want to consider replacing the bolts on the other side as well given the mileage and one broke fastener already.

Unless of course you have designs on your boss' postion .

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Mike Tangas
'73 280SEL 4.5 (9/72)- RIP
Only 8,173 units built from 5/71 thru 11/72

'02 CLK320 Cabriolet - wifey's mid-life crisis

2012 VW Jetta Sportwagon TDI...at least its a diesel

Non illegitemae carborundum.