1986 Supra broken control arm.....serious?

[uranium67]

Hey all, I'm thinking about buying a 1986 toyota supra... the problem is, its rear bottom control arm is broken. I would have to drive this from L.A to San Diego before I could do any repairs. Is this problem serious, could I drive the car that far? I really want this car! But I don't know how safe or smart it would be to drive in its condition . Thanks!

[Jeeves]

That screams of bad news. I'd say no. no. no.

If someone managed to break a control arm:
1) How did they do it?
2) What other potential damage did they do to suspension/systems in that are? :-x

[uranium67]

The cause was apparently when the car fishtailed, and the rear tire struck the curb. But everything else seems to be fine

[bgrieger]

If it is truly in good enough condition to save, invest in a tow. Also, count on every one of the arms on that side being bent, and potential damage to the subframe. Check it out closely, or if you are getting it for nearly free, you might take it to a shop local to the car with the replacement arm in hand and get them to install it.

[kamesama980]

You cannot drive the car at all with any control arm broken in back. +1 on counting all the arms on that side as being bad, if not the wheel, tire, bearing, maybe even the subframe. $.02 from a guy that works in a shop that does a lot of suspension work.

[pritty123]

We need to check it out closely, or if you are getting it for nearly free, you might take it to a shop local to the car with the replacement arm in hand and get them to install it.

[mk2-1jz]

if its broken the mounts on the subframe are bent 100% sure. To have this car road worthy your going to most likely need an entire rear end. The CV axles could have suffered damage, the diff as well.

Your going to have to check if the subframe supports are bent as well, and if they are bend you can bet there is some frame damage.

Get it checked out