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Folks,
The rear bolt on the lower torque arm snapped. Not a big deal in itself and it can be easily fixed. But it has got me wondering. The car (1990 740 GLE wagon, 4sp/od, 400,000 km) is getting on but has been reliable, if free of rust(RustChecked annually) and in good repair. I am concerned that so major component will let go in some unsafe manner at 100km on a crowded highway. I would have suspected that the bolt had loosened giving some play that would lead to failure. But the end of the bolt is well threaded into the threaded socket with no signs of having been loose. It cleanly snapped. So is this a sign that more metal fatigue is lurking or is this a one-off?
Yes, I know, your crystal ball is no better than mine but what is the collective experience? Anyone got any stats?
Given that the car has no airbags and was not designed to meet current side impact standards, is it time to say goodbye? If so, would most modern cars be as safe or safer? Ir is it the fatigued nut behind the wheel that is the domimant factor?
Bill
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