Hello TiAgX5,

The driveway has a very slight (2-3deg.) slope. When I park the car, it actually sits "nose up".

I think it has been slowly rusting away for around 4-5 years. Once the rust starts at the bottom of the frame, the rust draws the water up higher and higher above the pools........sort of like a 'wicking' action.

The slight front-end vibration when high-speed braking, started around 1 year ago. It wasn't bad enough to cause me to investigate. I suspect, in hindsight, that that is when the front control arm bracket actually fully disintegrated! Thank goodness the rear bracket was still untouched and is very robust.

Just as well I accidentally dropped that hose clamp down into the engine bay a few weeks ago. Otherwise, I would not have discovered the problem!