Thread: Front Suspension Bent

While I've never driven on such harsh corrugations, I've never heard of people bending their upper control arms. To be honest I don't really see how they could bend.

If it was me I would be getting a second opinion, or I would be showing up at the workshop and getting them to show me how its bent, using a new arm as a reference.

I'd also be checking the bushes to make sure they're not flogged out.

Best of luck with it.

The force required to bend both arms would be enough to bend the steering rack ends and possible destroy the rack, seems strange to me.

Update
Both strut towers are bent.
It gets worse.

Better not spend any more money until its totally assessed for a possible insurance claim.

Did you fall off a cliff and not notice? Incredible damage for potholes.

Originally Posted by rhinosm

Update
Both strut towers are bent.
It gets worse.

Hiya Rhino,
Firstly- I've been running the ARB steel bullbar with a warn 9500 winch for over 250 000k's and have been down all the same roads you mentioned, broken alot of things but not in my wildest dreams would I have thought it would be possible to do the damage you have "apparently" done. I have also been caught in those same sort of washouts and potholes that bottom out the shocks and feel like they're trying to drive the front struts through the bonnet and yet have not ever bent any of the control arms. Seriously shortened the life of the bushes, almost certainly but never bent them. No one, mechanic or other has ever told me that the bullbar/winch combination is to heavy for the car.

Secondly- OE replacement upper control arms are only about $130 each and take about 1-1.5 hours to fit per side. ride height sensor I think are about $120 OE {don't quote me this I'm not sure}. Whilst I realise you went to a dealer and would have been supplied genuine parts I still hope you had more done for you $2500???

There some good indies in Melbourne. Perhaps you should try AMV at ringwood, Greg is brilliant to deal with.
Just a thought
I hope you have a solution soon

Update
After further investigation and input from various sources, Diagnosis is
Air Bag Shockers are bent
Upper & Lower control arms and bushes
Anti roll bar links bents

Waiting on quote and will be putting thru insurance.

The dealer expert told me that bull bars are not recommended due to weight load and stress on front end.
We also talk about overall weight restrictions which a much discussed topic on another thread.
I will comment, that a seven seater vehicle in stock trim, can't actually carry 7 people, crazy.

The expert is not an expert.