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		|  08-25-2015, 09:30 AM | #1 |  
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				Join Date: May 2015 Location: Mobile, al 
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				02 Boxster lower control arm broke
			 
 
			Driving to work yesterday in my 02 Boxster and I hit the brakes for a light and I hear a loud thump and rubbing at my driver's side front wheel area. Evidently my lower control arm snapped. Anyone ever heard of this happening?       |  
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		|  08-25-2015, 09:48 AM | #2 |  
	| Yeah, I've done that. 
				 
				Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Atlanta GA 
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			Holy crap.  That is a pretty robust looking part, I'm surprised it would snap like that without a much harder hit than just braking for a stop.  Sure you haven't had another impact recently that may have cracked it?  Maybe some road debris like a truck tire tread or something?
		 
				__________________1999 Boxster, Tiptronic, Hard Top, Arctic Silver with Boxster Red Interior
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		|  08-25-2015, 10:24 AM | #3 |  
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				Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Santa Rosa, CA 
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			How many miles on the part? :O
		 
				__________________2003 2.7 Boxster - Tiptronic - Carrera wheels - OBC - Red calipers - Cat pipes - Modified muffler - Rear speakers - K&N - Litronics
 2006 V6 Mustang
 2008 ML 350
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		|  08-25-2015, 10:41 AM | #4 |  
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				Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Orange County, CA 
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				wow
			 
 
			Swodaw,
 I am glad that the control arm failed while breaking for a red light and not during a spirited drive through a canyon...
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		|  08-25-2015, 01:12 PM | #5 |  
	| Registered User 
				 
				Join Date: May 2015 Location: Mobile, al 
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			The car has 50k miles. I just bought the car in March with 44k. So, I don't know if the car has been wrecked. I don't think I have hit anything.
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		|  08-25-2015, 03:52 PM | #6 |  
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				Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: O.C.  CA 
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			Better check the torque of the bolt that formerly attached it to the chassis. 
 Is it from Mobile?  Salt water corrosion?
 
				__________________OE engine rebuilt,3.6 litre LN Engineering billet sleeves,triple row IMSB,LN rods.  Deep sump oil pan with DT40 oil.
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		|  08-25-2015, 08:43 PM | #7 |  
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				Join Date: May 2015 Location: Greater Seattle, WA 
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			Wow!  I never would have guessed.  I see both the lateral arm as well as the trailing arm have both just snapped right off there.
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		|  08-25-2015, 08:48 PM | #8 |  
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				Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: LB, Germany 
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			Wow. Never seen something like that before. Especially from hitting brakes.
 Because the lower control arm has a bearing i don't think that too much torque could have caused that.
 
 I think you should investigate the complete car for accidents of a previous owner.
 
 Regards
 Markus
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		|  08-26-2015, 08:04 AM | #9 |  
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				Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: DE 
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			It is not unheard of for GT3 LCAs to break in that area from lots of track use.  Hard to imagine it happening with street use only.  Maybe lots of potholes?
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		|  08-26-2015, 09:34 AM | #10 |  
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				Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: O.C.  CA 
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	Quote: 
	
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					Originally Posted by Smallblock454  Wow. Never seen something like that before. Especially from hitting brakes.
 Because the lower control arm has a bearing i don't think that too much torque could have caused that.
 
 I think you should investigate the complete car for accidents of a previous owner.
 
 Regards
 Markus
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  Is bearing Germ-english for bushing?
		 
				__________________OE engine rebuilt,3.6 litre LN Engineering billet sleeves,triple row IMSB,LN rods.  Deep sump oil pan with DT40 oil.
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		|  08-26-2015, 11:05 AM | #11 |  
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				Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: LB, Germany 
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			Hi BYprodriver,   - damn, you're right.    I've meant a bushing. Sorry.
 
Regards from Germany 
Markus
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		|  08-26-2015, 02:45 PM | #12 |  
	| Registered User 
				 
				Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: O.C.  CA 
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	Quote: 
	
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					Originally Posted by Smallblock454  Hi BYprodriver,   - damn, you're right.    I've meant a bushing. Sorry.
 
Regards from Germany 
Markus |  
  OK, we like your input from the motherland, Danke schon!
 
 I was wondering if it is possible to install a LCA in a bound position with enough torque on the bolt to cause this!  Maybe with alot of corrosion?          
				__________________OE engine rebuilt,3.6 litre LN Engineering billet sleeves,triple row IMSB,LN rods.  Deep sump oil pan with DT40 oil.
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		|  08-26-2015, 03:57 PM | #13 |  
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				Join Date: May 2013 Location: Orange County, California 
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			Wow, never thought a chunk of metal could break like that!
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		|  09-08-2015, 10:53 AM | #14 |  
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				Join Date: May 2015 Location: Mobile, al 
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			Thought I would give an update, ended up having to replace the lower control arm, trailing arm, and had a bent tie rod. hopefully be back on the road soon...
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		|  09-08-2015, 11:50 AM | #15 |  
	| Certified Boxster Addict 
				 
				Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Los Angeles 
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			As Spendy mentioned, I have seen this happen on several Spec Boxster race cars. Some racers will replace the LCA's every two years as preventative maintenance.
		 
 
				__________________1999 996 C2 - sold - bought back - sold for more
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