Please help diagnose ... suspension?

[clueless1]

I was driving today, going around a corner in a parking lot (very slowly, thank goodness), and my steering suddenly went out. Meaning the back end is looser than a porn star. Feels like I am driving in snow on summer tires, and I cannot keep the car straight, even when I am driving in a straight line.

I managed to pull it back home (verrrrry slowly), and after I pulled in and parked I noticed that that the left REAR tire/wheel is NOT pointing straight ahead (it is pointing significantly to the left as if it were one of the front tires with the steering wheel turned left). When I had looked at the rear earlier in the parking lot the tires were straight, so I am assuming that one (or more) of the parts that stabilize the position of the left rear wheel went kablooey. Could a wheel bearing do that?

I should also note that both rear cv joints are known to be bad (and I have the complete rear cv axles, which I will be replacing).

Can anybody help diagnose or narrow down?

Thanks.

[clueless1]

Ok, I was right. something went kablooey.

I think it is the rear control arm ball joint. It is the connection on the most rearward arm that connects to the hub, sheared off at the top. That is why the wheel is not straight.

Is this part available (is it serviceable)? Any suggestions for how to go about repairing the ball joint only?

Thanks.

[blue2000s]

Originally Posted by clueless1

Ok, I was right. something went kablooey.

I think it is the rear control arm ball joint. It is the connection on the most rearward arm that connects to the hub, sheared off at the top. That is why the wheel is not straight.

Is this part available (is it serviceable)? Any suggestions for how to go about repairing the ball joint only?

Thanks.

Check out http://www.****************************************.com/

[clueless1]

I have attached two photos of the part (not the broken side, instead I photographed from the GOOD side). The shear occurred at the ball joint near the hub displayed in the second close-up picture.

I am not familiar with the nomenclature and I don't have a good schematic. There seem to be a number of (different) rear control arms I see listed at parts sites. Can anybody give me the name I am looking for?

Re Vertex ... they do sell the ball joint (which would be all I need) but it says on the vertex site it is only for the UPGRADED control arm. Is there any way to repair the ball joint without buying and installing a new control arm?

Thanks.

[blue2000s]

Originally Posted by clueless1

I have attached two photos of the part (not the broken side, instead I photographed from the GOOD side). The shear occurred at the ball joint near the hub displayed in the second close-up picture.

I am not familiar with the nomenclature and I don't have a good schematic. There seem to be a number of (different) rear control arms I see listed at parts sites. Can anybody give me the name I am looking for?

Re Vertex ... they do sell the ball joint (which would be all I need) but it says on the vertex site it is only for the UPGRADED control arm. Is there any way to repair the ball joint without buying and installing a new control arm?

Thanks.

The ball joint is an integrated part to the control arm. Vertex takes out the ball joint, threads the hole, and installs a new one.

[clueless1]

Still not sure about part names. Did I break the "control arm ball joint" (and if so, which rear control arm????) or is it the "rear track rod" or is it the "rear axle strut" ball joint that is shown in the second picture? (or something else???)