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Hauser717
07-29-2009, 02:50 PM
So I'm stopped at a flashing stoplight. People are acting dumb and not moving. So I get tired of people starting and stopping and not going through the intersection. I give about 3/4 throttle and move through the intersection. When I'm about 1/2 way through, I feel/hear a thump from the rear. Sounded like something moved in the trunk, but nothing is back there. So I stop and look and don't notice anything. I continue on, but when I get to about 40 mph, the rear starts vibrating. I then take it to the dealer that I trust and ask them to take a look. After it's been in the shop for about 15 min, the service guy comes back and says "You've heard that a picture is worth a thousand words, right?" So I follow him to see what's wrong...

Both rear control arms are broken. The axle is now turned upwards so where the drive shaft connects with the differential is rubbing against the floor of the car. It is turned a bit farther on the driver's side so that the axle was pushed against the shock, thus bending the shock. Plus, the seal on the driver's rear wheel is leaking axle fluid so that has to be changed as well.

I have no idea how this happened as I drive like an adult and don't punch it at every stoplight let alone hardly at all. The service guys don't have an explanation for me either. Have there been issues with the rear control arms breaking or did the original driver drive it much harder than I ever do?
ImpalaSlayer
07-29-2009, 02:53 PM
the stock CA's are JUNK. however ive never herd of this. good luck
Spectragod
07-29-2009, 02:54 PM
I have a spare set. Let me know if that will help you out.
Stranger in the Black Sedan
07-29-2009, 02:55 PM
Wow! I bought an extra set of arms to box them myself but haven't gotten up the motivation to do so. This post, might be that motivation.
fastblackmerc
07-29-2009, 02:55 PM
Sounds like your in the market for some Metco rear upper & lower control arms. Once you see them the factory ones will look like they are made out of tin foil.

http://www.metcomotorsports.com/products.asp?cat=114
BLACKMARAUDER04
07-29-2009, 04:01 PM
I replaced mine with the Z&M rear control arms. Best $400 spent on this car besides the SCT Tune. Thanks Zack.
Hauser717
07-29-2009, 05:11 PM
Oh, how I'd like to replace them with aftermarket ones. But it's in the Ford shop and I can't wait a week for the parts to show from aftermarket mainly because the MM is my daily driver. And to add to my woes, my financial situation has been very bad since being laid off last October. I'll check on some things in the morning.
RF Overlord
07-29-2009, 05:41 PM
Both rear control arms are broken. Have there been issues with the rear control arms breaking or did the original driver drive it much harder than I ever do?WOW! :eek: As others have already said, the stock arms are flimsy, but I've never heard of them breaking.

What exactly broke? Did they snap in the middle?...break at one end?...mounting come loose?...bushing come out?...
Krytin
07-29-2009, 06:24 PM
That sounds very wrong.
A NA car should not be able to break both CA's!
The leaking axle seal is a smoking gun for a shot axle bearing.
The two SHOULD be unrelated but but I've never seen or heard of broken control arms.
Was it both lowers/both uppers/or upper & lower on one side?
Spectragod
07-29-2009, 07:00 PM
You can have the set I have for free, just pay the shipping.
Hauser717
07-29-2009, 08:35 PM
Both rear uppers broke. The break was from around the mounting on the axle end.

The leak is from the axlerod rubbing against the seal due to it having too much play. New limited slip clutches is the long term repair, but that's another few dollar bills I don't have.
DOOM
07-29-2009, 09:37 PM
Wow!!! :eek:
I think this is truly a first!
Bradley G
07-30-2009, 03:24 AM
I have an OEM boxed set ready, not as pretty as these;http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=37587http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=24647&page=2

or after the whole set Watts links & Stock upper and lower Control arms got painted:http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=37587
Back in the day Jerry Barnes, CEO of Trilogy International (Trilogy Motorsports) Twisted a set of stock control arms like a pretzel
babbage
07-31-2009, 07:01 PM
Both rear uppers broke. The break was from around the mounting on the axle end.

The leak is from the axlerod rubbing against the seal due to it having too much play. New limited slip clutches is the long term repair, but that's another few dollar bills I don't have.

I have an OEM LSD set I can send you - just pay shipping. I guess you can have the ring and pinion too if you need it PM me. (Hauser only)