Warning! - Complete Failure of Rear Suspension Arm

dave1850 · 15th March 2015, 19:36

Dear All
Excuse me raising this if it is a phenomenon well known to club members but the rear arm on my 2005 75 tourer recently snapped after traversing a speed bump. On inspection there was major corrosion on both arms but the one that snapped - the driver's/offside had rotted right through from the top.

I attach some photos. You can see the extent of the corrosion, which from below didn't look as bad. It went through an Mot in November without comment presumably in a similar state. I had no idea beforehand how bad it was. Fortunately no one was hurt and there was no damage (except to the rear arm of course)

So my advice is - check your suspension rear arms. I've not seen a modern car corrode so badly at this location whilst less than 10 years sold.

Can only assume that as it sat in a field between registration and first use this might have been a factor.

Dave
[http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/foru...426451670/IMG]

johnnyb44 · 15th March 2015, 19:40

Blimey they do look a little bit on the ripe side.

Billy1mate · 15th March 2015, 19:55

What is the underside of your car like in general? I ask as mine has surface rust on most of it including my rear arms, the paint is flaking off the rear anti roll bar and the fuel tank straps look horrible but are intact.

Richcl · 15th March 2015, 19:57

I think I may renew mine anyway, but paint and rust proof the new ones before fitting!

dave1850 · 15th March 2015, 20:16

The underside was generally good, but plenty of apparently light surface rust. The exhaust rear box needed replacing recently.

It seems there's lots of opportunity for water and mud to sit on the top of these arms unnoticed. You just can't see them without access to a hoist.

D

spyder · 15th March 2015, 20:17

Wow, that is unbelievable. I clean, paint and seal mine every year. MOT in a few weeks so will check on them again.

One has to wonder how yours passed the MOT like that.

trikey · 15th March 2015, 20:18

Mine are the same on my diesel, rest of the car is rust free!

Plans are afoot to replace with something that will last a little longer

minimutly · 15th March 2015, 20:18

Hard to believe how mr tester managed to miss that!
This is not new, quite common in fact. the ones I've changed had rotted near the fulcrum pin, very difficult to spot, but the General condition should have told the tester something was up.
£80 odd pounds plus vat and carriage from Dmgrs I believe.

dave1850 · 15th March 2015, 20:22

Hi Trikey - I like yours - that's what they should look like, although being that solid the extra weight is bound to reduce the mpg

Seriously though I will be taking these rusty units to show my local MoT man. Not as a nag but as a cautionary tale. And maybe going somewhere else next time

D

Dansrockin · 15th March 2015, 22:38

My new 75 failed its mot on the nearside arm, the tester said he's surprised the spring hadn't gone through it was that corroded! Its being sorted tomorrow hopefully, then getting retested in the week.
I'd have a go at changing it myself but it looks an absolute pig to change, and you need to have it on the ground to tighten up the bolts! There's absolutely no chance of me fitting under the car while its on the ground! I only just fit if its on axle stands!

15th March 2015, 19:40	#2
johnnyb44 I really should get out more....... Rover 75 Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: north wales Posts: 2,707 Thanks: 1,774 Thanked 902 Times in 507 Posts	Blimey they do look a little bit on the ripe side. __________________ Replaced pcv filter, springs, plenum spy hole mod,Bonnet cable divider mod. Wax oiled.Air con recharged. Auto box oil changed , Jules plenum guard fitted .Smoked wind deflectors fitted.S/S Compensator.Club Grill Badge kindly donated by Andyg2011..

15th March 2015, 20:17	#6
spyder This is my second home 75 CDT Auto Tourer , Rover 45 , Astra, Zaffira, Chev Captiva Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Wilts Posts: 3,342 Thanks: 203 Thanked 436 Times in 360 Posts	Wow, that is unbelievable. I clean, paint and seal mine every year. MOT in a few weeks so will check on them again. One has to wonder how yours passed the MOT like that. __________________ Chrome skull caps, EGR cleaned (original housing), Mondeo lower mounting, 12V outlets in the armrest and tourer boot, cat fixed, working FBH, Lidl plenum covers, DD with reverse camera.New speakesr/Tweeters with MDF rings. wood dash, Memory leather seats, wooden finished steering and handbrake, Xenon headlights.

15th March 2015, 19:55	#3
Billy1mate Posted a thing or two 120d M Sport Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Sunny Weymouth Posts: 1,815 Thanks: 153 Thanked 142 Times in 121 Posts	What is the underside of your car like in general? I ask as mine has surface rust on most of it including my rear arms, the paint is flaking off the rear anti roll bar and the fuel tank straps look horrible but are intact.

15th March 2015, 19:57	#4
Richcl Avid contributor MG ZT Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Tewkesbury Posts: 172 Thanks: 3 Thanked 31 Times in 26 Posts	I think I may renew mine anyway, but paint and rust proof the new ones before fitting!

15th March 2015, 20:16	#5
dave1850 Regular poster Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Wiltshire Posts: 99 Thanks: 10 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts	The underside was generally good, but plenty of apparently light surface rust. The exhaust rear box needed replacing recently. It seems there's lots of opportunity for water and mud to sit on the top of these arms unnoticed. You just can't see them without access to a hoist. D

15th March 2015, 20:18	#8
minimutly Posted a thing or two mg zt Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: cardigan Posts: 1,087 Thanks: 28 Thanked 187 Times in 158 Posts	Hard to believe how mr tester managed to miss that! This is not new, quite common in fact. the ones I've changed had rotted near the fulcrum pin, very difficult to spot, but the General condition should have told the tester something was up. £80 odd pounds plus vat and carriage from Dmgrs I believe.

15th March 2015, 20:22	#9
dave1850 Regular poster Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Wiltshire Posts: 99 Thanks: 10 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts	Hi Trikey - I like yours - that's what they should look like, although being that solid the extra weight is bound to reduce the mpg Seriously though I will be taking these rusty units to show my local MoT man. Not as a nag but as a cautionary tale. And maybe going somewhere else next time D

15th March 2015, 22:38	#10
Dansrockin Posted a thing or two MG ZT number 1 of 25 celestial!! Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Banbury Posts: 1,967 Thanks: 208 Thanked 242 Times in 166 Posts	My new 75 failed its mot on the nearside arm, the tester said he's surprised the spring hadn't gone through it was that corroded! Its being sorted tomorrow hopefully, then getting retested in the week. I'd have a go at changing it myself but it looks an absolute pig to change, and you need to have it on the ground to tighten up the bolts! There's absolutely no chance of me fitting under the car while its on the ground! I only just fit if its on axle stands!