Potholes and weak rear toe arms don't mix...

[Bunsin]

Well today was exciting. While driving to work in the rain I hit a number of potholes in a row and the drivers side rear tow arm broke. The ABS and some quick hands kept me from a full spin into oncoming traffic. I was running lightweight aftermarket toe arms with anodized bearings. Even though the corrosion was starting to show (I've had them on for about 7 years now), they still moved freely and were set up fairly neutral without binding. Not sure how but the inner bushing housing snapped. Going with Whiteline rear adjustable toe arms this time.

[DarkPira7e]

Originally Posted by Bunsin

Well today was exciting. While driving to work in the rain I hit a number of potholes in a row and the drivers side rear tow arm broke. The ABS and some quick hands kept me from a full spin into oncoming traffic. I was running lightweight aftermarket toe arms with anodized bearings. Even though the corrosion was starting to show (I've had them on for about 7 years now), they still moved freely and were set up fairly neutral without binding. Not sure how but the inner bushing housing snapped. Going with Whiteline rear adjustable toe arms this time.

No pics? no brand name to help us know what product failed? Glad you managed to avoid a catastrophe but help us avoid the same with better info

[marco_mc22]

Hardened steel or aluminium? Did the bushing housing snap? Or the adjustable stud?

[ZDan]

Originally Posted by Bunsin

Well today was exciting. While driving to work in the rain I hit a number of potholes in a row and the drivers side rear tow arm broke. The ABS and some quick hands kept me from a full spin into oncoming traffic. I was running lightweight aftermarket toe arms with anodized bearings. Even though the corrosion was starting to show (I've had them on for about 7 years now), they still moved freely and were set up fairly neutral without binding. Not sure how but the inner bushing housing snapped. Going with Whiteline rear adjustable toe arms this time.

And this is why I'm not a fan of running aftermarket suspension links/arms/primary structural components. Almost never necessary, and nowhere near the level of analysis and testing as OEM.

[RACECAR go brrr!]

Originally Posted by ZDan

And this is why I'm not a fan of running aftermarket suspension links/arms/primary structural components. Almost never necessary, and nowhere near the level of analysis and testing as OEM.

There are aftermarket companies that do a thorough amount of testing, though. Verus Engineering is a good example. Their aluminum rear LCAs are far lighter than stock, and look far flimsier, but they did lots of FEA and testing to ensure they are robust enough to stand up to abuse, and as a result they've been on my car for over 6 years now, and have seen endless Chicago potholes, seasons of autocross, and even some VERY violent impacts with road debris.

You're right, though. There are plenty of companies that do NOT do that kind of testing, which is why buying those kinds of parts requires actual research and not just blindly buying whatever is cheapest or on sale at the moment.

[Bunsin]

Originally Posted by RACECAR go brrr!

There are aftermarket companies that do a thorough amount of testing, though. Versus Engineering is a good example. Their aluminum rear LCAs are far lighter than stock, and look far flimsier, but they did lots of FEA and testing to ensure they are robust enough to stand up to abuse, and as a result they've been on my car for over 6 years now, and have seen endless Chicago potholes, seasons of autocross, and even some VERY violent impacts with road debris.

You're right, though. There are plenty of companies that do NOT do that kind of testing, which is why buying those kinds of parts requires actual research and not just blindly buying whatever is cheapest or on sale at the moment.

I'm running RSR coilovers and LCAs but the toe arms were Versus. Indianapolis is in the freeze thaw zone so potholes abound. I've hit some pretty bad ones and never had an issue before this. The breakage makes sense if the bearings were bound, but I checked them in Nov when I switched to winter tires on the OEM wheels and everything was OK.

[Bunsin]

Originally Posted by DarkPira7e

No pics? no brand name to help us know what product failed? Glad you managed to avoid a catastrophe but help us avoid the same with better info

Sheesh couldn't wait a minute to get the broken parts off the car and the new ones ordered

[Bunsin]

Originally Posted by marco_mc22

Hardened steel or aluminium? Did the bushing housing snap? Or the adjustable stud?

See pic in the response above. The bearing housing is aluminum.

[DarkPira7e]

Originally Posted by Bunsin

Sheesh couldn't wait a minute to get the broken parts off the car and the new ones ordered

The way things typically work here, you can't blame me.

Thank you for posting a photo!

[ZDan]

Originally Posted by RACECAR go brrr!

There are aftermarket companies that do a thorough amount of testing, though. Versus Engineering is a good example.

Do you mean "Verus"?

Originally Posted by Bunsin

I'm running RSR coilovers and LCAs but the toe arms were Versus.

"Verus"?

Originally Posted by Bunsin

Sheesh couldn't wait a minute to get the broken parts off the car and the new ones ordered

Indeed, Verus:

[RACECAR go brrr!]

Originally Posted by ZDan

Do you mean "Verus"?

Damned spell check!

[Clay_from_Verus]

Originally Posted by Bunsin

Sheesh couldn't wait a minute to get the broken parts off the car and the new ones ordered

Hey man! Sorry to see this happened. Can you please email me with photos and more details on what happened? We do not manufacture the rod ends and I've never seen one fail like that. clay@verus-engineering.com

[Clay_from_Verus]

Originally Posted by ZDan

Do you mean "Verus"?

"Verus"?



Indeed, Verus:

These rod ends are FK units, and we've never had one fail like that. That's wild.

[norcalpb]

OP how close are you Verus HQ? It may be a good idea to drop off the broken bearing with them so they can send it to FK for inspection.