02 Boxster lower control arm broke - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

Swodawg · 08-25-2015, 09:30 AM

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?

leftfield6 · 08-25-2015, 09:48 AM

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?

EJ-Fresno · 08-25-2015, 10:24 AM

How many miles on the part? :O

Gilles · 08-25-2015, 10:41 AM

Swodaw,

I am glad that the control arm failed while breaking for a red light and not during a spirited drive through a canyon...

Swodawg · 08-25-2015, 01:12 PM

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.

BYprodriver · 08-25-2015, 03:52 PM

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

Is it from Mobile? Salt water corrosion?

jakeru · 08-25-2015, 08:43 PM

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.

Smallblock454 · 08-25-2015, 08:48 PM

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

BYprodriver · 08-26-2015, 09:34 AM

Quote:

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

Is bearing Germ-english for bushing?

spendy · 08-26-2015, 08:04 AM

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?

Smallblock454 · 08-26-2015, 11:05 AM

Hi BYprodriver,

- damn, you're right.

I've meant a bushing. Sorry.

Regards from Germany
Markus

BYprodriver · 08-26-2015, 02:45 PM

Quote:

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?

hancock1701 · 08-26-2015, 03:57 PM

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

Swodawg · 09-08-2015, 10:53 AM

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...

thstone · 09-08-2015, 11:50 AM

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.