left front control arm failed while driving on highway
Driving west bound on Route 100 in Pasadena/ Glen Burnie Maryland. Just passed over the Rt 100/I-97 over pass in the left lane of the two lane highway. Speed was 55mph and the road turns to the right slightly. I heard a loud snap like noise from the front end, and the left front dipped down and the steering wheel jerked in my hands. At the same time the back end of the truck slipped out and to the right as I grabbed the wheel with a more firm grip.
I tapped the brakes to slow down a bit, and pulled the wheel over to straighten out the truck as best I could. It pulled me left into a guard rail and I eventually ended up in the grass median between Rt. 100 east/west bound. The left front tire was off, the control arm was snapped. The axel was still attached to the wheel that I was able to retrieve. Damage to the front end of the quarter panel, and front driver side door.
I've read where others have had similar problems with the steering, and regretfully I wasn't aware of this problem when I purchased the truck used back in 2012. I really loved this truck, and it was actually purchased to replace my Taurus that was destroyed in car accident when I was struck from behind. I felt much safer in this larger vehicle.
Luckily I was able to control the truck on the highway, avoid other vehicles that were traveling to work in the morning and not get seriously hurt.
I will post some pictures that were taken at a later date.
left front control arm failed while driving on highway
Driving west bound on Route 100 in Pasadena/ Glen Burnie Maryland. Just passed over the Rt 100/I-97 over pass in the left lane of the two lane highway. Speed was 55mph and the road turns to the right slightly. I heard a loud snap like noise from the front end, and the left front dipped down and the steering wheel jerked in my hands. At the same time the back end of the truck slipped out and to the right as I grabbed the wheel with a more firm grip.
I tapped the brakes to slow down a bit, and pulled the wheel over to straighten out the truck as best I could. It pulled me left into a guard rail and I eventually ended up in the grass median between Rt. 100 east/west bound. The left front tire was off, the control arm was snapped. The axel was still attached to the wheel that I was able to retrieve. Damage to the front end of the quarter panel, and front driver side door.
I've read where others have had similar problems with the steering, and regretfully I wasn't aware of this problem when I purchased the truck used back in 2012. I really loved this truck, and it was actually purchased to replace my Taurus that was destroyed in car accident when I was struck from behind. I felt much safer in this larger vehicle.
Luckily I was able to control the truck on the highway, avoid other vehicles that were traveling to work in the morning and not get seriously hurt.
I will post some pictures that were taken at a later date.
- William F., Pasadena, MD, US