Well, I drove home on the ice today and slammed a curb. Passenger front tire hit it hard enough to ricochet me some. Ruined a hubcap completely . But as I drove the 1/2 mile left home, i realized my steering was awry. Crap. So I got home, and that wheel is definitely tilted inward. Crap. I took the wheel off, and looked for obvious damage. Couldn't find anything that looked real off, just not straight. But I crawled underneath, and the arm that holds the base of the spring (sorry, don't know names of parts well) has a joint on the forwardmost arm. That joint is not seated properly. It is dark now, but I will try and get some pictures tomorrow. This is my '79 240d. I am afraid of the cost, but I may take it to a shop. Suggestions?

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'79 240D 4 speed manual 105k miles

I should define the tilt. If you look at the front of the car, the wheels look like this:

\\---||

not that exaggerated though.

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'79 240D 4 speed manual 105k miles

im not sure of the name either...lower control arm?.... bent is not good. i think it is a forging so theoretically it might be possible to straighten it. but i am not sure if anybody would have the tools necessary for such an operation. the old solid axle cars used to allow bending for fine tuning such alignment issues. perhaps a shop that works on heavy trucks might be able to straighten it.

but i also suspect to do so would best be done with the part off the car, and in that case it might be just as easy to replace it with a good used one. it is not a wear item so any parts car would most likely have a good one on it.

good luck.

sorry for your misfortune!

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Seems to me there actually was a measurement in the service manual for straightness of the lower control arm. Sounds like something that gets bent now and then. I would just get a used arm from a salvage yard. Should not be hugely expensive. Give Bernard (Eurpoean Connection) a call if you can't find one locally. 1-800-654-8632. Also possible you just bent a tie rod. Lot cheaper and easier to replace than the lower control arm. If you replace the arm, be sure to replace the bushings in it while it is out.

Given his depiction of the camber problem, that could not be caused by just a tie rod being damaged.

See if you can find your model here:

http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb0.asp?TP=1

And if you can, post the picture of the affected component.

If you're using firefox, scroll down or you may not see the pages.

Agreed.

I bet that the LCA and the tie rod are damaged.

The replacement of the LCA is a sizeable task. The spring must be removed with a proper spring compressor.

post a pic if you can.. i slammed into a curb couple weeks ago going about 10 mph.. blew a hole in the tire and broke the wheel... my steering is a little off and pulls to the right slightly.. plus some minor posative camber on the right side. i have yet to get an alignment... im totally broke

Will post pics as soon as I remember when it's light out. I think I'm going to take her to the shop. I'm at school with little more than hand tools and a floor jack, and I don't have a spring compressor anyhow. Argh, so frustrating. I hit the curb at no more than 10MPH, and it did crush the hubcap, but the wheel looks ok. I am surprised it did that much damage.

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'79 240D 4 speed manual 105k miles

Here is a picture of the only obvious damage. Tell me what you think, and what is name for this part? (part no.)

Attached Thumbnails

 

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'79 240D 4 speed manual 105k miles

That's your lower control arm. The bushing looks like it was pretty shot and maybe hitting the curb screwed it up even more.

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"spreading a trail of obnoxious where ever we go"
1981 300sd w/ 341,500 miles

http://www.wecrash.com/pics/ddda_banner.gif

i cant see any damage there.

am i missing it?

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Ok, so it's been a bit since I have updated. The poor girl is still in my garage awaiting a fix. I have a couple more questions if any can help. I know that the lower control arm bushing is shot.

1. Can I replace this myself? What will I need to do this?
2. How can I check the arm itself for damage? It isn't a straight shape to begin with.

Thanks in advance. My car is probably sad, I haven't driven it in a week. First time it has sat for more than 72 hours since I got it probably.

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'79 240D 4 speed manual 105k miles

Here are a couple more pictures. Don't know if they will help, but if any of you see something I'm missing, let me know. Also, if you can think of other commonly damaged components in this kind of an injury, it would be helpful. I hate suspensions, and avoid them. But the shop here in town that I like won't work on it. Grr.....
Also, how safe would it be to drive on it, and at what speed? it seems to drive ok, no bad noise, etc. Steers to the right, and the wheel wants to turn to the right.

Let me know if a different pic, etc. would help. Thanks again.

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'79 240D 4 speed manual 105k miles

Lower control arm can be replaced if you have the Klann spring compressor, or the 200 dollar knock off. If you have the money I'd just take it to a good shop. A new arm will probably be somewhere around 200 bucks.

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1985 CA 300D Turbo , 213K mi