QuestionI was stopping at a light(my car needed brake work), I heard something pop, so I pull over and my drive shaft had come loose from the tranny. I took the car to a mechanic. He said I needed rear lower control arms. He said it was twisted. (not the bustle & bolt.) Were can I find that part? Or do you even think that's what's wrong. I really like my car & I don't wanna get rid of it. Under the hood is perfect; both the tranny & engine. What do you suggest?
AnswerEither you mis-understood him or he doesn't know the right names for parts. The lower control arms are what holds the front wheels on - so I doubt they have anything to do with your driveshaft coming down.
Most likely, either the front or rear universal joint, or else the driveshaft slip yoke is what has failed. There are other possibilities, but the only other one I can think of at the moment is the rear transmission mount.
In any case, whatever part it is, it is still available at any auto parts store - your car isn't that old that parts are hard to find for it. Especially since it's a Chevvy - Autozone has everything it will take to fix it.
If your mechanic doesn't want to work on it, you'll have to find a local shop that has some gray haired guys working there who are not afraid to work on an old car! These are very simple cars - it should not be a big deal to fix it.
(How did you get the car to a mechanic if the driveshaft fell out? - you must have had it towed, I guess.)
Good luck, and take care of those brakes too!
Dick.
