PA-28 Cherokee/Archer/Dakota/Pillan/Warrior
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 200; Flight Crew Total 1700; Flight Crew Type 800
Training / Qualification
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control; Ground Excursion Runway
General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
On rollout from landing; the student and I experienced directional control difficulties that led to the airplane exiting Runway 21 on the south side by a few feet. We stopped the airplane and shutdown to inspect the possible damage. The top of the torque link on the left main gear had come apart from its attachment resulting in a counterclockwise twisting of the left main landing gear that caused the airplane to lose control on rollout and yaw to the left. No side loading or unsafe touchdown occurred during the touchdown prior to the incident. Future preflights will consist of examining the torque link attachments with greater scrutiny.
PA-28 flight instructor reported a loss of control and runway excursion after landing due to left main gear torque link issue.