Warning!

[StuartW]

That looks terrifying

 

[T-axle]

Conaero, will see if there is a chance. You're right! Maybe someone can benefit from what was discovered here in this forum.
Btw.:
The euro-palett underneath was just for protection.

 

[T-axle]

Terrifying is...
... when you think of unrestricted Autobahn!

 

[conaero]

Indeed these cars are not granny shopping karts they are performance super cars. I am still trying to get my head round why tye DVLA have not made any enforcements. Maserati obviously have no social responsibility and put profit margins over the safety of its customers.

 

[Swedish Paul]

But this isn't the suspected failure point.

 

[highlander]

But this isn't the suspected failure point.

I agree, looks to have sheared clean higher up with no sign of previous wearing or crack, would take one helluva pot hole to manage that!

 

[Rex B]

Suspension looks like it was clean and in good nick, top ball joint has sheared or come detached from the wishbone, bottom ball joint has sheared and the track rod end arm on the hub has broken, lots of damage ,lots to speculat about.

Rex B
Manual 3200

 

[bossemaserati]

My car is now at the annual service and as it turns out, both upper rear arms need to be replaced as they are also appear to be cracking...
Crazy stuff this ... Glad to have caught it in time though before they crack. Also initially thought this was limited to the front arms but it's not. You have to all get them checked out. It was at autoshield Manchester at the last years service and they did not spot it. The car is now at Bill McGrath and they went through the car thoroughly.
Very happy with them. Very Highly recommended.

 

[Almichie]

To add a little to this...I had a conversation with the MOT examiner when I took my car in the other day. He knows about the wishbone issue because I told him last year and showed him where to check, BUT, since the notification from both Maserati and more importantly, DVSA, there's no notice or any supplementary notes on the MOT system to flag up checks on the wishbones due to potential faults.

I can attest to this; I gave a very good relationship with my MOT man and there was nothing on the system to highlight this. He was very helpful when I asked if we could take a close look, and nothing was found which is a relief.

 

[spkennyuk]

Is that a split i have circled in the picture ? You can see it better if you zoom in on the original picture as it is a higher resolution.

 

[davy83]

it would have been better if you had just got the camera a lot closer? use your phone they are great at close ups.

Is that a split i have circled in the picture ? You can see it better if you zoom in on the original picture as it is a higher resolution.

View attachment 36255

 

[conaero]

I am going for lower wishbone balljoint failure, it looks rust like it's been cracked and waters been getting in.

Second one in the past few weeks.

 

[T-axle]

@spkennyuk: On higher resolution I can't find evidence for a split where you marked it.

@all: Thank you all for bringing in thoughts! On your part it might raise your awareness of a hidden problem.
Though as previously stated, it's not my car and I do not know the owner, I might seek to find out how that poor chap might benefit from your findings.
Thank you! Your words are not in vain.

 

[jasst]

Wow, just worked my ay through the majority of this, starting to have doubts about getting involved with this marque now, so that's Porsche off the list because of engine probs, looks like Maser too, where to look next?

 

[spkennyuk]

@spkennyuk: On higher resolution I can't find evidence for a split where you marked it..

If you follow the black line of the rubber bush on the left of the bit i have circled going towards the bottom then the black line stops and what looks to be the bottom section of metal from the control arm eye seems to have shifted across left. It could be the angle of the picture or a bolt head or something i suppose but its the same colour metal as the control arm.

If it has opened up there then the wheel would bounce upwards into the wing leading to the shear.

Im sure someone with better eyes than me might be able to work out what the metal piece covering the bushing is.

 

[spkennyuk]

Wow, just worked my ay through the majority of this, starting to have doubts about getting involved with this marque now, so that's Porsche off the list because of engine probs, looks like Maser too, where to look next?

Look up any car and you will find issues or flaws with them. The perfect car has never and will never be made. The issue with the control arms may well be different to whatever has happened to the car in the latest pictures. We have no idea what happened that led to the failure. It would be nice to know for sure.

Being aware of any issues and knowing what to look for goes a long long way.

Don't let the horror stories put you off. The control arm issue is well known by the independants and main dealers. Its a matter of checking them on a regular basis.

I have had a fair few cars over the years including three alfas and the car the had the most issues / faults including a top end engine rebuild was a company car Mondeo.

Please dont let a known issue sway you from enjoying a car that will give you more smiles per mile than any other car i known.

 

[jasst]

Yes, your quite right in that most cars have issues, a fact I am only to aware of as I have recently cracked a liner in my Focus st, a potentially very expensive issue, and also one which is well known! These problems just highlight the advice to get any potential purchase thoroughly inspected prior to purchase. I see that eurospares have replacements for £395, which all in all isn't too bad, providing its just the odd one. I paid similar for a pair of uprated ones for my Focus, so double the price for a supercar doesn't seem to be too bad.

 

[T-axle]

@spkennyuk: You're guessing right...
Looking at a higher resolution pic, it's a bolt head.

 

[T-axle]

@jasst: Let your motivation not get drowned but uplifted here!
In this forum you may get educated about possible issues. Value comes from knowing them AND a solution to it.

(A bit OT: When it comes to Porsches, even that should not stop anyone. Either buy a bullit-proof Mezger engine as in GT3, GT2 or turbo OR have a proper rebuild on a damaged one.)

 

[Steve GS]

Had my car up on the ramps today looking under with the mechanic. And my bushes are looking a bit perished on the wishbone joints. The worry of changing them as my mechanic says getting them out is not a problem but putting them back in under pressure. He has come up with a solution but would need a group buy.
As these are not made for our model. he swears by them and they have a life time guarantee. He has fitted them to lots of high end and performance cars even costurmers who race cars have had these fitted by him. Here is where they could be good for us you don't need to use a press to put them in they just push in worse case they need a g clamp or vice if a little to tight. He has spoke to the manufacturer and they could be interested in making for our model if enough buy. They would do a full set of every bush for the car.they just need all the sizes. any thoughts on this. Or is there something similar already out there.