control arm broke and oil pan destroyed

[Aptyp]

Still want better pics, that break looks odd. Forged control arm wouldn't break like that, unless what you got from ebay wasn't forged.

[moatilliatta]

its china's finest pot metal...

[Adrian_Visser]

probably one of those high strength lead alloys

[blck325is]

Absolute suck. Good to hear you and the car survived the break.

[lowlightbw]

lemforder ftw

[reccaoconnor]

Lesson learned: Don't buy structural suspension parts on Ebay.

This.


I almost went with them (FCP Groton) when I was redoing my front suspension, then decided suspension wasn't something I trusted in the hands of ebay. Glad I decided to just save up the extra 100 or so bucks and go OEM.

The big stopper for me was that FCPGroton gets thier parts from 1 of 3 manufacturers, and you don't know which you're getting until it's at your door.

[5KWattson]

what do you mean ebay parts aren't reliable...thats crazy talk

[Cobra Jet]

IMO, I don't understand why folks spend $$$ on complete aftermarket (ie: cheaply made) control arms (or even original Lemforder Dealer or vendor CA's) and just don't save $$ by replacing just the inner/outer ball joints... The ball joints can be replaced and for about $80+/-, you can replace all (4) BJ's without having to spend nearly $200+ on complete control arms.

If the factory original E30/E36 control arms are not bent or damaged (which most likely 98% of the time they won't be damaged on a highway driven vehicle) - you can get away w/ just replacing the ball joints. Plus, I've never heard of the factory original control arms failing during normal driving useage. Balljoints can fail sure, but not a CA busting into 3 pieces for no reason at all, especially if it was not IMPACTED OR HIT FIRST BY AN IMMOVABLE OR STATIONARY OBJECT.

Sure, maybe you or your friends don't have the press to pop out or install the BJ's, however, most local shops or garages will do this for you for very little cost if you bring the control arm + new BJ's... and you would still be saving coin...

~~

To the OP - did you contact FCP and send them pictures of the busted arm? Are they going to replace this part for you, or even reimburse you for any other damages caused by the failing part??? If it were me, I would have been on the phone to them right after having the vehicle towed back home... especially if I had purchased the part from them. What's the FCP warranty on such parts w/ regards to manufacturing defects?

[twright]

I have had very good luck with FCP Groton replacing defective parts. They always did it, with no questions asked.

Give them a call.

[nando]

would you really want to use those cheesy control arms twice? even if they replaced it, I wouldn't want it on my car anyway.

[e30Rob]

Man talk about a shifty situation!...I'm glad ur ok and all goes well with ur repairs