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LiveWire 09-30-2014 12:05 PM

Almost crashed today
 
Well I almost wrecked today. Just got Megan racing lower control arms for the rear and an alignment, but when I was getting on the on ramp today a heard a metal clink when I turned. Also hit a bump so I thought it was just bottoming out (it did sound eerie and different tho). When I was going about 50, the rear end did a little dance and I did 2 360s until I stopped. Managed to keep it mostly on the road. No accidents and no exterior damage as far as I know of yet.

Anyone have any idea what broke? Are the Megan adjustable lower control arms crappy? Just a bit shaken up here. The camber bolts look like they haven't moved.

200.mph 09-30-2014 12:17 PM

did you just get the alignment? who installed the arms? i would get it on a lift asap and look for damage/anything broken before driving it again

hoosier1104 09-30-2014 01:31 PM

Pucker moments are always fun. Get it on a lift and try to isolate the source like 200 recommended.

Loki 09-30-2014 02:44 PM

Well the original camber bolts wouldn't move if you're using the new lower links to adjust camber, right?

Are the links still attached to the wheel hub? If it clinked when you compressed the suspension, that could be your link coming out, and as soon as you let off the throttle the weight transfers off the rear and you get surprise variable toe which would definitely spin you. I'd look there...

Ber1n 09-30-2014 06:33 PM

Visually inspect it. Tug, pull, push on the newly installed parts. You may have something loose. Slight play at high speeds could possibly cause your car to fish tail, and if you can't manage to control it ( which is hard with a rear wheel that steers as it pleases), you could spin out.

I had a similar thing happen, one of the trailing control arm bolts in the rear came loose, and the arm eventually slipped out of it's bore to the wheel hub. My car fishtailed like it was on ice so I had to slow down, and drive it side ways to the nearest parking lot and go through an ordeal to get a nut and secure the arm. Luckily, I was on a 25 mph road with no one around, so no damage done to me or anyone else.

LiveWire 09-30-2014 07:58 PM

After inspection everything seems to be fine. Honestly I'm flabbergasted I thought for sure something had broke. No wheel play or anything, all bolts are tight and intact. Pillow mounts seem ok as well. I contacted the friend who did my alignment and I am going to bring it back in to check the alignment to be safe. Plan to troubleshoot from there.

What loki described seems pretty close to what happened, as I lifted off the throttle (not completely) the back end shook like a ducks but and then shot out on one end. However, all parts seem intact.

I suppose it is possible that my tires wore funny due to weird toe angles before alignment. The road was slightly wet and my swaybar is off atm, so those do contribute to bad handling. HOWEVER, I had pushed the car harder, about 10mph faster in the same turn earlier in the morning when the ground was wetter. All evidence seems kinda contradictory.

Is the quality of the megan racing control arms good? I was eventually going to replace some of my other control arms as well, should I reconsider?

LiveWire 09-30-2014 07:59 PM

Also thanks for the support!


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