So today, I was driving down the street and heard a loud popping noise. I pulled over thinking it was a flat tire. I got out and looked at the tire and saw it was fine but also saw that the wheel well was just about resting on top of the tire. I bent down under the car and saw this (see picture below)




Does anyone know what happened, how to fix it, or approximate cost to fix if I take it to a shop? Any input would be greatly appreciated. Things to keep in mind: The car is almost 20 years old, has 120,000 miles, has spent its entire life in the upper Midwest on salted roads in the winter time.

It looks like either the control arm spring bucket rusted away... I have never see that happen before..

Does the spring appear to be broken in an manner?

No it looked okay. It was dragging on the ground for about 300 yards while I drove it back to my garage. I did find a round plastic piece on the ground that looks like it would fit around the spring.

that plastic peice sounds like your isolator. I've never heard of the sring bucket rustin gout. I't possible though givent these cars rust so bad especially on the rear subframe. But looking at your pic what metal I can see doesn't seem to have a lot of rusty, flaky metal buildup on anything. Did you hit any large bumps latly? Perhaps the spring seat at the top rusted away. Can you get more pics to post of the area where the spring is supposed to sit.

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I drove down my street, which never gets plowed, causing many ice bumps/compacted snow everywhere making for a bumpy ride. I didn't hit any major pothole, just a series of many smaller bumps. The top looks fine (see pictures below).


Alright so I took off the tire to get a better look. It looks like the lower control arm rusted so bad the spring broke through the bottom. Take a look at these pictures.











Am I right when I say the control arm needs to be replaced? There's no "quick fixing" this by patching/welding that hole owver obviously because of all the rust.

Yes... Thats the spring bucket thats rusted out... The control arm does need to be replaced.. If you can get the bolts out..

Alright, thanks. I am going to have to take this in to get it fixed then. I will post back on the outcome for others for future reference when it happens.

I would take this oppertunity to do a thorough rust evaluation on the car. Many have gone down due to rust long before their time. See what else is about to go and see if it's worth it to keep on the road.

I do have to give you props though, that's a new one.

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~Randall~


1993 Buick Park Avenue - 197k - Some odds and ends done - Simply won't die
1994 Buick Regal - 78k - Bone stock - Always ready for a good kicking
1990 Oldsmobile 88 - Gone to a better place

The one on my '93 wasn't far behind...




+1 on getting the rest of the car checked out. And blast it with some 'professional grade' rusoleum while you're at it.

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Boost addict


The Fleet:
'93 SSEi - Twincharged + manual Build thread
'97 Camaro - Top swap
'05 STS - V8, AWD, her DD
'92 Trofeo - Fair weather DD
'99 Montana - top swap 3800
'04 Sierra 2500HD - LLY Duramax

Current project:
Something cool, trust me.

Upcoming projects:
'92 Bonneville SSE
'87 LeSabre T-type
'67 LeSabre

Gone to greener pastures:
'84 Sierra Classic - Twin turbo 3800
'97 LeSabre - Top swap

RIP:
'86 LeSabre - pictures
'93 SE - L67

As already mentioned, good job on being the first with a new bizarre rust issue. Luckily it was the spring perch that rusted and the whole control arm didn't bust off on you. Depending on how bad your overall rust issues are though you are aslo lucky the fix will be as easy as replacing the control arm. For most people thier whole subframes rusts away and breaks from the body first.

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UPDATE:

For those who care or for those in the future who google this problem like I did: I ended up having it fixed and getting the car back on the road. I was quoted at $330 USD for parts/labor to replace the control arm (they had to search junkyards for it because you can't get it new anymore). There was an additional charge of $50-60 USD for additional labor because all the bolts were completely rusted out. So my out the door price was $390 USD.

In the mean time, my wife and I bought a newer SUV and so now I am going to be selling my Bonneville. I think its time has come for me!


OH and my mechanic said that this was the first time he has seen something like this in the 35+ years he's been in the business!!

Sad to see, but something else I want to be aware of, to keep my eyes on. Does your car have the self-leveling rear suspension?

Also, as has been mentioned, this is a surprise, since most of the issues seem to come from the other end of the car --> the front subframe. That was the major undertaking for mine a little more than a year ago.

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Alan Sheidler

Proud Third Caretaker of the Family Heirloom '93 SSE
Medium Garnet Red Metallic, Gray Leather Interior
Silver Cross-Lace Wheels (I love this car)