Control Arm Ball Joint Failure!

["Colin Barfoot" <Colin_Barfoot@email.msn.com>]

I had almost no warning of this failure... In hind sight all I felt  and
heard was a audible "chank" when performing a low speed tight parking lot
turn - about the same feel as if I had driven over a rock of approx. an inch
in diameter.  I had just driven 50 km at 120-140 km/h on the highway home
from work and then had dropped off my carpool buddy in his driveway.  I
thank God that it broke at 50 kmh not 140!.

Just the week before I had the car safety inspected where the ball joints
among other things are checked... so I don't know why it was missed!

I was travelling about 60km/hr on a tight sweeping turn when all of a sudden
the tire was rubbing on the wheel well.  After a QUICK stop I saw the splash
guard had melted onto the tire and as well I had polished the wheel well at
the point of contact.  Foretuneately the steering ball joint was ok.

I took the car to the garage tonight so we'll see about the repair today.

So the warning is - if you hear/ feel a chunk from the steering during a
tight parking lot turn - get those control arm bushings checked!!

Regards
Colin
86 5000 CD Quattro
335000 km