1996-1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse Upper Control Arms: Have you checked them lately? (Page 1/4)
madcurl NOV 02, 02:58 PM
I had my passenger side upper control arm replaced on Monday. Initially, it was the upper ball joint that needed replacing, but I had bought a extra one from a low milage Eclipse from the salvage yard a year earlier (just in case). My mechanic found a hair-line crack on the upper control arm. I had the driver's side replaced maybe a year ago even though at the time the passenger side didn't show any signs of breakage. As you can see in the pic- the control arm was on it's way out.



It appears that the metal used isn't strong enough. I've checked Mitsubishi web site but no recalls. Normally a ball joint would need replacement, but I never heard replacing a control arm.

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"Friends don't let their friends drive stock."

madcurl NOV 02, 03:08 PM
10/1/2009; Left side a year earlier.

That's the upper control arm;


Mistsubishi cheap control arms;
82-T/A [At Work] NOV 02, 03:13 PM

quote
Originally posted by madcurl:

10/1/2009; Left side a year earlier.

That's the upper control arm;


Mistsubishi cheap control arms;







How could they allow something like that to make it to production? Is there anything different that you did with your car? Maybe really stiff springs, or huge, very heavy wheels?

Hit curbs? Could it be anything you're doing... or is this common for a lot of people?

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Todd,
2008 Jeep Patriot Limited 4x2
2002 Ford Explorer Sport 2dr 4x2
2002 Ford Crown Victoria LX
1987 Pontiac Fiero SE / V6
1973 Volkswagen Type-2 Transporter

spark1 NOV 02, 03:49 PM
At the very least you should file a complaint with NHTSA at https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/

If you aren't the only one experiencing this problem there may eventually be a recall.


edit: I checked complaints for a 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse suspension and found 7 for lower control arm ball joints. Apparently those were once recalled (1995 - 1999 models, NHTSA Campaign ID number: 00V421001). Didn't see any reports of upper control arm problems.

[This message has been edited by spark1 (edited 11-02-2010).]

spud321x NOV 02, 04:47 PM
I had the Lower Ball Joint go out on my Eagle Talon (same thing as an Eclipse). Since it was a recall, it was fixed. They also had to replace my CV Shaft since it yanked it apart when the ball joint gave. I haven't heard about upper ball joint problems before though. It seems to me that you might be getting some extra stress on the control arm from something.

Nick

BTW, How much for the wheels on your Fiero?

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quote
Originally posted by Australian:

Pop 2 viagras and punish it so it is out of action for a week.



I am the signature virus, please put me in your signature so I can spread
madcurl NOV 02, 04:59 PM

quote
Originally posted by 82-T/A [At Work]:
How could they allow something like that to make it to production? Is there anything different that you did with your car? Maybe really stiff springs, or huge, very heavy wheels?

Hit curbs? Could it be anything you're doing... or is this common for a lot of people?




Back in 1999 or so I had replaced the stock ball joints with adjustable after market ball joints. The ball joints were taken to a certified shop and press out the old one for newer ones, the control arms were in perfect condition-up until 9-yrs later when it separated and was hanging on by the grace of God. It tore-up the adjustable ball joint so I opt for a salvage control arm. On the hand, the car was lowered using Eibach springs, but since the springs kept sagging I went back to stock. Other-than-that, the wheels might be a bit heavier compared to stock wheels, but it can't be by that much. The stock wheels are 16" and the ones right now are 18" but are lightweight rims. If anything, I haven't hit any major pot holes or objects in the road. This car is mainly a
work /freeway car-it's not your daily grocery getter.

[This message has been edited by madcurl (edited 11-02-2010).]

Fiero84Freak NOV 02, 05:00 PM
The lower ball joints on 2G DSMs have been recalled. There's no recall on the control arms, but there are many instances of failures on the 2G DSMs.

The front suspension setup really sucks on these cars. I have a 2nd Gen Eclipse Spyder like you do Madcurl, and I've had all kinds of problems out of the front end with it. I've had a tie rod complete separate having only 30k miles on it. Thankfully, I was only traveling 35 mph, or it could have been much much worse. I've had bolts shake themselves out and the lower motor mount shake completely out at 64k miles. One of the worst cars I've owned suspension-wise, and I've been around DSMs for a while but the Eclipse Spyder in particular has all sorts of problems.
carnut122 NOV 02, 05:33 PM
That sure is scary!
pontiackid86 NOV 02, 08:19 PM
This is another thing im going to have to look at my buddys GST (FWD turbo) i know its been making some funny noises from the front end so who knows whats going on in it. I need to check the recalls for my GT i know the service records said some of them were done but im not sure if all were done
pontiackid86 NOV 02, 08:21 PM

quote
Originally posted by Fiero84Freak:

The lower ball joints on 2G DSMs have been recalled. There's no recall on the control arms, but there are many instances of failures on the 2G DSMs.

The front suspension setup really sucks on these cars. I have a 2nd Gen Eclipse Spyder like you do Madcurl, and I've had all kinds of problems out of the front end with it. I've had a tie rod complete separate having only 30k miles on it. Thankfully, I was only traveling 35 mph, or it could have been much much worse. I've had bolts shake themselves out and the lower motor mount shake completely out at 64k miles. One of the worst cars I've owned suspension-wise, and I've been around DSMs for a while but the Eclipse Spyder in particular has all sorts of problems.




I saw this happen on a 2G in philadelphia 2 weeks ago. It was a really beat up eclipse and they were ballin with a doughnut on it but it still shouldent have happend. Thankfuly they were only parking. I stopped off to help them out being a fellow eclipse owner.