Broken Lower Control Arm Mount

[AWOLASAP]

I had a lift and steering stabilizer installed. Needless to say, I was a little too careless on some trails going too fast and found that I broke part of my driver-side lower control arm front mount, the piece the steering stabilizer was installed on. I was wondering if anyone has had this happen to them and what they did to fix it.

I was thinking of just rewelding the broken-off piece, however, a welder told me I would end up heat-treating the rest of the mount and weakening it. I can't seem to find an aftermarket part, so should I just hit the junkyard and cut a whole one off another frame and replace my broken one?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[OR VietVet]

I used to have a serious off road vehicle and it was a 73 Blazer and all one ton drivetrain and I had a ram steering assist and gusseted all over for strength. I would weld that back on there or do a custom design one and weld it to the frame piece.

If you lift your vehicle it puts more stress on some components that are not designed for it. Steering, suspension and frame, even if it is an asphalt queen and never sees dirt.

 

[Doubeleive]

I would have that welded with a extra brace if possible, that metal is already soft it's unlikely to weaken any more than it already is
that is not hardened steel

 

[Doubeleive]

@randeez @iamdub

 

[randeez]

@randeez @iamdub

junk

is that how the forward mount for the control arms are on 2000-2006? not sure if i never noticed or what but i cant seem to picture them like that

 

[Doubeleive]

junk

is that how the forward mount for the control arms are on 2000-2006? not sure if i never noticed or what but i cant seem to picture them like that

there all like that in the front, it's soft metal you can bend it with a wrench, my 00 had a 6" section cut out and welded back in, why I don't know I wasn't the original owner
figured maybe since you had modded yours so much you might have some input

 

[iamdub]

I had a lift and steering stabilizer installed. Needless to say, I was a little too careless on some trails going too fast and found that I broke part of my driver-side lower control arm front mount, the piece the steering stabilizer was installed on. I was wondering if anyone has had this happen to them and what they did to fix it.

I was thinking of just rewelding the broken-off piece, however, a welder told me I would end up heat-treating the rest of the mount and weakening it. I can't seem to find an aftermarket part, so should I just hit the junkyard and cut a whole one off another frame and replace my broken one?

Thanks in advance for any advice.View attachment 401754View attachment 401755

It's not heat treated/hardened or anything like that. It's actually good steel and welds easily. As pointed out, and as you found out, it's just adequate for a stock setup.

Remove the stabilizer from the broken piece and weld it back in place. Add plating.

If it were mine, I'd box in that whole lower half to tie both sides together. Picture a piece of flat stock, positioned vertically and trimmed to fit inside those radiused edges, spanning the control arm bolt holes. Then, a piece of flat positioned horizontally, on the bottom, welded to the top side of the gussets (after you weld that broken one back on). I don't know the dimensions of the factory stuff, but you might be able to trim down a piece of 2x4 box tubing or 2x4 angle. I'd use 11 gauge.

 

[randeez]

yea the stabilizer is what broke the mount, guessing it was putting force up and down on that tab that wasnt reinforced for that. i say weld it back on also, box in atleast the angles to the crossmember. if you absolutely have to have the stabilizer on there, i would add some sleeves between the mounting tabs and bolt it all the way thru both

 

[nonickatall]

I would weld that too. You need someone how know how to weld, but a welded connection is stronger that the material itself.

And the manufacturer welded that too. And they don't harden that after welding.

 

[Trey Hardy]

I had a lift and steering stabilizer installed. Needless to say, I was a little too careless on some trails going too fast and found that I broke part of my driver-side lower control arm front mount, the piece the steering stabilizer was installed on. I was wondering if anyone has had this happen to them and what they did to fix it.

I was thinking of just rewelding the broken-off piece, however, a welder told me I would end up heat-treating the rest of the mount and weakening it. I can't seem to find an aftermarket part, so should I just hit the junkyard and cut a whole one off another frame and replace my broken one?

Thanks in advance for any advice.View attachment 401754View attachment 401755

Just weld it back on there then weld a 1” plate on both sides to Brace it up some more maybe even add a couple gussets to Brace it even more and you’ll be good to go

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Welcome to the Forum from NH.

Lots of knowledgeable folks here who freely share their knowledge, experiences, and perspectives. Knowledge is power.

I hope that you will become a participating member in the Forum's discussions.

Pics of the truck, please.

You are already receiving sage advice from the knowledgeable folks on this Forum, and that is why this Forum ROCKS!

 

[AWOLASAP]

yea the stabilizer is what broke the mount, guessing it was putting force up and down on that tab that wasnt reinforced for that. i say weld it back on also, box in atleast the angles to the crossmember. if you absolutely have to have the stabilizer on there, i would add some sleeves between the mounting tabs and bolt it all the way thru both
View attachment 401769

I like this idea, probably go ahead and do it here this weekend. Thanks to all who gave their 2 cents. I don't think I am going to put the steering stabilizer back, it's an IFS so I don't see much benefit. Doesn't feel any different without it really either.

 

[AWOLASAP]

Welcome to the Forum from NH.

Lots of knowledgeable folks here who freely share their knowledge, experiences, and perspectives. Knowledge is power.

I hope that you will become a participating member in the Forum's discussions.

Pics of the truck, please.

You are already receiving sage advice from the knowledgeable folks on this Forum, and that is why this Forum ROCKS!

Here are some pics of my rig. Got a bumper from Baseline Overland coming in the next couple of months I'm excited for, should change up the looks a good bit. I'm grateful this forum exists, found many answers here.

 

[OR VietVet]

I like this idea, probably go ahead and do it here this weekend. Thanks to all who gave their 2 cents. I don't think I am going to put the steering stabilizer back, it's an IFS so I don't see much benefit. Doesn't feel any different without it really either.

The steering stabilizer is to help control "bump steer" and if you don't have bump steer, you don't need the stabilizer.

 

[Matthew Jeschke]

View attachment 401807View attachment 401808
Here are some pics of my rig. Got a bumper from Baseline Overland coming in the next couple of months I'm excited for, should change up the looks a good bit. I'm grateful this forum exists, found many answers here.

Dang dude! Love the stance of your truck. What size wheels and tires are those? From looks of your previous pictures you're not lifted...?

Also I LOVE the baseline overland stuff. However, darn you must be rich! Their stuff is super spendy! I've been considering modifying the factory bumper on mine. I do like the idea of it being able to still crumple when I hit something.

 

[AWOLASAP]

Dang dude! Love the stance of your truck. What size wheels and tires are those? From looks of your previous pictures you're not lifted...?

Also I LOVE the baseline overland stuff. However, darn you must be rich! Their stuff is super spendy! I've been considering modifying the factory bumper on mine. I do like the idea of it being able to still crumple when I hit something.

I have wildpeak at3w 285/70r17. Has a little rubbing when the front end drops, but only at or near max turn angle. Its just the 2in rc lift so not much. Thinking about doing more, but I might just get atomic fabs coiliver conversion and bump it up to 3in on the front with that.

The bumper is a way of spoiling myself. Excited for it to come in. I could definitely see a modded stock bumper looking pretty good though.

 

[Matthew Jeschke]

If I had unlimited budget (kind of like my engine build haha) I'd have tons of the Baseline Overland stuff... Your rig looks killer

My trick to budgets... don't add up until project is done. Then cry haha

 

[nbscade]

okay so i have this same issue but slightly worse and i let it go on for too long, any ideas on how to fix this properly?

 

[mikez71]

Maybe weld a washer in there.. ?

 

[nbscade]

Maybe weld a washer in there.. ?