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?:mad:


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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?

How many miles on the part? :O

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...

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.

Better check the torque of the bolt that formerly attached it to the chassis.

Is it from Mobile? Salt water corrosion?

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.

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

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?

Is bearing Germ-english for bushing?

Hi BYprodriver,

:D - 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? :eek:

Wow, never thought a chunk of metal could break like that!

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...

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.