First MOT failure in 14yrs

[Dicky]

 Apparently the offside rear suspension component "Front Lower Link" item 22 in attached diagram is apparently "severely bent"  The attached diagram seems to indicate that its supposed to be bent.

Can anyone confirm if it does have a bend in it and if any of the forum traders can supply one?

 

 

 

[gsexr]

Do both sides of the car look the same or is one bent more than the other ? 

[SHEZZA]

There meant to be bent dicky, though if one is more bent than the other I'm guessing there right. 

[G1en]

That to me is the camber arm. I have eibach adj arms and they are straight although the oem ones and many others  do have a slight bend in as the guys say. If it is severly bent your camber and toe may well be way out as well. Just compare it to the other side. 

[Dicky]

The near side rear does have a slight bend in it while the offside (fail side) one appears to be bent more. Can't think how it can have happened other than careless garage mechanics because I know I would never jack the car up there.

Given the bar is quite thick (poss 15mm dia or so) I can't imagine I could have ran over anything either without hearing it. Must have been a mentally challenged mechanic then?

Tryed a breaker bar on the badly rusted bolts but chickened out when it wouldn't give , so will let the garage have this one to do me thinks!

 

Does Tarmac/ other supply these ?

[G1en]

Lots of traders on here will have new oem or aftermarket options. Tarmac sports, cougar store, clark motorsport, torqen etc.. If you are planning on lowering in the future you may as well get adjustable arms, if not then standard is fine. Zmanalex will prob have new or used available so plenty of options. 

[davey_83]

Crazy pal, sorry to hear this

[nipwahh]

Firstly congratulations on a 14 year pass run!! Definitely seen this arm on my z with a 'kink' to it. Its been on the to replace list for a while, from memory they were £45 approx, might be worth getting one even if its just to see if they have the same kink angle. 

Edited August 15, 2017 by nipwahh

[Dicky]

Anyone have a photo of this part because the stealers wants £143 for it, none of them have it in stock and if bought it can't be returned and I don't know if the bend in mine is as it should be or distorted??

a photo would really help

[Jay M1988]

I wouldn't be using the stealership dicky robbers in stripey jumpers,

Id be using a forum trader and possibly go aftermarket LCA for similar price

[veeg33]

Have you try ZMANALEX?

[nipwahh]

This the one I believe:

 

ebay item: 172056375014

Edited August 15, 2017 by nipwahh

[ZMANALEX]

27 minutes ago, veeg33 said:

Have you try ZMANALEX?

 

 

Plenty in stock: 

[Dicky]

Buggar just booked the car in Alex to have it done. Attempted to loosen the securing bolts with my breaker bar but not much space under the ramps. The bolts are well rusted and frightened I might round the nut so thought I'd take the hit and have it done. To old to be crawling under cars these days especially on potentialy nightmare jobs.

couple of pics below, the offending off side link and the near side link

Edited August 15, 2017 by Dicky

[nipwahh]

Ah it's the lower control arm, every diagram I have looked at shows the arm looking different, I'll take a picture of mine later if it helps

Edited August 15, 2017 by nipwahh

[gsexr]

Top picture does look bent

[ZMANALEX]

Definitely bent, replacement arm and a geometry 4 wheel adjustment and all will be good.

Car must have been handling like a dog:

[The Trouser]

Nevertheless, 14 years without an MOT failure

 

Mileage?

[nipwahh]

Yours is bent yeah, for reference mines here:

[GMballistic]

It's bent the wrong way which would be the first indication to me that it is FUBAR.  

 

Could of been worse though Dicky and as mentioned by Alex you should definitely get 4 wheel alignment/tracking done after the new part is fitted. 

 

Good luck.

 

[Dicky]

3 hours ago, ZMANALEX said:

Definitely bent, replacement arm and a geometry 4 wheel adjustment and all will be good.

Car must have been handling like a dog:

As it happens the car seems to drive fine Alex, unless I've just got used to it. I recall getting an advisory on this some years ago, around 5 yr I think and when I looked at the workshop manual and saw that its drawn bent I just assumed it was right, apparently not.

Wheel alignment & tracking WOW, I'm a pensioner now you know!! Suppose I can't  complain though the only other non rust related expense I've had in all this time was to replace a coil pack. It's been a bloody good car and I still love it an want to have its babies ha ha

[Ekona]

Alignment should really be done annually.

[Dicky]

Well all done now. The arm cost £143 and the whole job £277 and I now have a brand new MOT to file.

Panic now over and into the blue yonder for me!

[Exec]

My car is going in for MOT tomorrow morning. Wish me luck! 

[Exec]

Passed with an advisory, one rear brake line is slightly corroded. Not bad I suppose. Il have to get those sorted at some point.