| Lower control arm caution notice '73 & '74 [message #349419] |
Fri, 18 October 2019 18:02  |
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Matt Colie
Messages: 8547
Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan
Karma:
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This is a notice of caution to all owners of early TZEs.
Even thought our lower control arms were reinforced per the factory directive, the right side failed at about 170k miles. This happened on an interstate and at highway speed. I have been able to repair the coach, but it was not a simple operation.
Even if the control arm was reinforced, the factory directive is not adequate in the long term. The control arm failed across the ball joint center bolt hole. Evidence is that both the "ears" were secure right up to the failure. One was still attached to the arm but the other is not visible, so loose fasteners were not the issue. The attachment of both of said ears show signs of metal fatigue that is visible on the recovered ball joint.
I do not know the age of this balljoint as it is not the one that I replaced in '08. The carbon copies of the maintenance orders that I have are no longer legible, so I can not supply a true age. I have checked these fasteners at every front end lube including the before departure for Tallahassee, that would be less than 2000 miles prior to failure. I did not inspect this area for possible cracks.
I am working on a complete write-up of the incident, but it is taking more time than I expected.
Be safe
Matt
Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
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