Suspension arm bent

fletch

My Dad was jacking his Mondeo up but accidentally used a suspension arm to do so which is now bent. I have the car while he's on hols and it seems to handle fine however there's one or two things I have noticed.
When reversing there is a rubbing sound coming from the back of the car. The steering wheel is slightly off centre now when travelling in a straight line and when I was driving close to a wall earlier I could hear a kind of grinding noise.
I'll post pictures later....
I'm just wondering should I stop driving the car, like could I be doing permanent damage to any parts etc?

Interceptor

fletch wrote:

I'm just wondering should I stop driving the car, like could I be doing permanent damage to any parts etc?

Accelerated tyre wear is the most likely worst damage that will occur. It should be possible to get it straightened at one of the smaller tyre/brake places (don't bring it to FastFit ) If you turn the steering wheel and try to point the drivers side wheel 'straight', then cross to the other side of the car and see if there an obvious difference in angle of lock, then it needs attention. I thought these had front wishbones and nothing else - please say he didn't jack it on the steering rack track rod. Anti-roll bar shouldn't bend or cause handling to be affected. Pics please...

'cptr

franksm

fletch wrote:

My Dad was jacking his Mondeo up but accidentally used a suspension arm to do so which is now bent.

Is if the track-rod ? ie. the thin one that goes to the steering rack ? If so, those are cheap to replace.

If it's the larger arm that the bottom of the shock connects to, that's a bit more expense.

In any case, the alignment could be out slightly, which will cause the tyre(s) to scrub, so better to deal with it now than later.

Henry Ford III

Your life and those of any passengers you have or even traffic you are coming up against potentially depend on your tyres, brakes, steering and suspension.

If any of these are faulty I'd suggest immediate remedy/replacement.

fletch

Sorry I should have specified it's the suspension at the rear of the car. We had a look at it before it went on hols and it looks handy enough to replace. Anyway will post pics when I get home

Interceptor

Its a flat pressed-steel 'blade' style arm with anti-roll drop links on it - its easy to bend and easy to straighten. A crowbar and some blocks of wood to brace against and you'll be fine. Is the arm rubbing against the wheel?

'c

fletch

Interceptor wrote:

Its a flat pressed-steel 'blade' style arm with anti-roll drop links on it - its easy to bend and easy to straighten. A crowbar and some blocks of wood to brace against and you'll be fine. Is the arm rubbing against the wheel?
'c

The picture on the left below is the rear passenger side and the one of the right is the driver's side that is damaged...you can see the kink in the arm

mike65

Thats gonna kill tyre wear and maybe damage the wheel bearings if left long enough, the good news is that its a stupid bit of steel so can be flattened out again.

Mike.

ps did you tell your dad off yet?!

fletch

mike65 wrote:

ps did you tell your dad off yet?!

It's my Mam we're afraid to tell...she'll go mad! It'll be my welcome home from your holiday present to them
Had a look and it looks handy enough to take off 2 so we'll prob give it a go on Sunday maybe.

mondeoman

you might be better off buying a new one from ford.
you'll never get it the same as it was b4 it was damaged.

ford part number = 6867577 rear bar stabilizer 4/5 door (not estate) you're talking about €80 approx:eek: .

mike65

Scrap yard cheaper still.

Mike.

Alun

mondeoman wrote:

you might be better off buying a new one from ford.
you'll never get it the same as it was b4 it was damaged.

I was gonna say the same. The bit that's currently under compression (the bottom bit) when bent back will be weakened, and may even crack. The part under stress (you've guessed, the top bit) may buckle. If there's something you don't want it's a suspension arm that may snap and fail at any time. Bad news :eek:

fletch

Great thanks for the advice....I didn't like the thoughts of smacking it with a hammer alright.....€80 is nothin to have the car back in proper shape.
Thanks for all the advice

mike65

Well I would'nt recommend slapping it! More a gentle squeeze using wood braces and a few clamps.

Mike.

mondeoman

fletch wrote:

Great thanks for the advice....I didn't like the thoughts of smacking it with a hammer alright.....€80 is nothin to have the car back in proper shape.
Thanks for all the advice

im not sure if that part comes with the 2 bushes included?,or if you can take the old ones off the bent one.
if you do need new ones the part numbers are = 6829045 (€6 approx)X2

lomb

id go with a new one personally. ul never get it true, and it will be weakened possibly enough to snap at a critical moment..

Interceptor

Yeah I'd replace it - I was thinking of the trailing arm on the mondeo estate I had which is different to yours. I'd still buy the replacement from a breakers and save a few quid, but I'm tight like that - Ford get enough money as it is. I can't see any sign of what is rubbing though - if you jack the wheel and spin it you might find it is the brakes or something harmless?


'c