yup true, it always seems to happen to my too...

I've seen the left rear control arm break twice -my old 1994 SLE had it happen the very first time I drove it after getting the front end on (bought it with front end damage). I had 4 passengers in the car when it happened going around a corner in town at a low speed -under 15mph.
The other one I saw break was my friends old 1995 SLE. His broke when he was turning into his driveway.
Both of ours broke further back towards the unibody more. If you were to look inside the rims on those two cars you will find one rim on each car with a big groove from the control arm grinding into the rim.

dont forget, on the steel wheels, there is already a groove in the wheel near the rim anyway. Becuase, there is a bead "lip" on the wheel to keep the bead up against the rim edge. Aluminum, probably not, as they're cast or forged, not stamped.

Wow that sucks. I can't believe how much rust that has on it, my '87 was a minnesota car all it'* life and my control arms were like new. I know how it feels to have one break though, my mazda broke a front lower driver side balljoint. Luckily i was in a parking lot doing about 15 miles an hour, but it didn't help me out none. Pulled the axle out of the tranny, shoved the tire up into my fender, all that fun stuff. Besides that i had to beat the crap out of the remainder of the balljoint to get it out (press fit). Hope it all works out for you.

Bandit...the rust level on your car and control arm are uh...yeah..rusty.

Being up here in the northeast...there aren't many cars quite that rusted looking. While I agree..something happened to see that let go and there does appear to be a good thickness of metal left.

yeah i think maybe this car might have been sitting in some water for a period of time, thats why it has more rust on it then it should for a 94 with 153,000 miles on it.... :(

Looks like there was a fracture. All of the other edges look clean.

oooo also..

here in up State NY, about 6-8 years ago they switch to a cheaper road salt...

cheapers but 6 Times more corrosafe the regular salt