retired

98 Escort. Ft lt lower control arm ball joint breaks at 2 mph driving. I stop car immediately. Towed to home using wheel lift tow truck. Then attempted to be towed by flat bed to repair shop. The car was dragged up the flat bed 10 feet when the ft lt wheel (with broken lower control arm) was at 90 degree angle from direction of flat bed. Wheel further tilted horizontally and was literally coming off the car. Stopped flat bed tow and car towed by different truck with wheel lift to repair shop. Ball joint changed and now severe vibration when accelerating at any speed. Removed ft lt wheel and saw inner boot broken and grease all over the place. I inspect my car every month and no boot issue until tow. I know boot has to be changed but is there also a bent drive shaft on the left? some other cause for the vibration on acceleration?

Attached Images

See Ft Lt Wheel coming off car.jpg (56.7 KB, 6 views)

Bert

It seems like the repair shop should be notified. Can you raise the front and run it to see if you can see somthing causing that? The CV joint was possibly damaged when it was dragged like that. I'd change the whole axle. They aren't that much.

__________________
Bert

R.S.LOGAN

Dragging car as you describe could cause damage to numerous parts of suspension i.e top susp strut mounting , driveshaft . brake flexible hose , track control arm anchorage etc . etc . Sounds like driveshaft c/v has also jumped out and may have been rebuilt / re-assembled with missing needle bearings on joint . Be advised to have a good check on driveshaft .

FordMan59

I'd have to agree with the prevoius posts that dragging the front end is probably related to your current problem. I hope you notified the towing company as soon as you knew about the problem, but if you haven't I'd suggest getting in touch with them as soon as possible and have someone check the car and if they feel it's related have them give you that in writing along with repair estimates to give to the towing company. If that doesn't do any good you might have a case in small claims court. I feel pretty sure that the towing company would have insurance to protect them and their customers against any such damages.