Front Suspension Control Arm Problems of Oldsmobile Cutlass

While driving my fiances Oldsmobile, I noticed a bad shudder under light to moderate braking. Upon investigation, I found that the front left control arm had rusted so badly that it had cracked in several places. The structural integrity had been so badly compromised I am sure that had I needed to brake suddenly the control arm would have failed causing the right wheel to come of the vehicle. I was able to flex part of the control arm by hand upon removal from the vehicle. It seems to me that this is a very excessive amount of decay on such a critical part on a car with less than 100,000 miles. The right control arm was rusty, but it seemed structurally sound. This leads me to suspect the left one may have been defective and that there could be more defective control arms out there. I replaced the control arm but kept the old one in case gm or the NHTSA wishes it to be shipped to them for analysis. I also have detailed pictures of the part to provide upon request. I live in mn which is a state where road salt is used in the winter.

See all problems of the 1999 Oldsmobile Cutlass 🔎.

Description of problems- drivers side rear window replaced at delivery due to large scratch. Tail light cover replaced due to moisture build up. Drivers and passengers window motors replaced due to malfunction. Ball joints replaced at 2000 miles, cv joints replaced at 1000 miles, control arms replaced once at 5800 miles and again at 10000 miles. Steering rack replaced at 12400 miles, by this time the complete front end had been replaced from the factory original. And at 19000 miles it is making noise again.

See all problems of the 1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass 🔎.

The upper and lower control arms were replaced twice; once at 2055 miles and once at 6000 miles. This was due to a noise the driver heard when driving. Also, while driving the vehicle the power steering went out. This happened on December 13, 1997.

Control arms replaced.