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11 May 2023 Car control arm: symptoms and replacement cost
A control arm, also known as a suspension arm, is a key component of a car’s suspension system. It acts as a direct link between the car frame and the wheel hub assembly or steering knuckle. As well as being a connection point, this component is designed to help stabilise the vehicle by allowing the chassis and wheels to move in unison when the vehicle is moving and going over bumps, for example. The car control arms are attached to a swivelling ball joint, which allows the car wheels to be steered in either direction when driving. The hinge joint on the other end of the arms ensures that the wheels maintain contact with the road surface in all conditions.
Rear and front suspension arms come in various shapes and sizes, often depending on the geometry of the suspension. Many vehicles use two arms per wheel: an upper control arm and a lower control arm. However, there are exceptions to this, such as cars with MacPherson-type suspension systems where the strut replaces the upper arm. Although the parts are made to resist all kinds of impacts and high loads, they aren’t made to last forever and will begin to wear over time. There are three main causes of control arm failure: frame damage, bushing damage, and ball joint damage. Damage typically occurs due to general wear and tear, corrosion, excessive flexing, or collisions and impacts.
-49%
Article number: 116 050 0029/HD
compared to
RRP
£ 595,51
£ 299,62
price incl. 20% VAT, free delivery
-59%
MAPCO Link Set, wheel suspension
Rear Axle both sides, Upper, Lower, with lock screw set, with coupling rod
Article number: 53742/1
compared to
RRP
£ 761,56
£ 307,39
price incl. 20% VAT, free delivery
-58%
LEMFÖRDER Link Set, wheel suspension
Front Axle, Left, Right
Article number: 31913 01
compared to
RRP
£ 1430,66
£ 593,94
price incl. 20% VAT, free delivery
-60%
Article number: 36856-KIT-MS
compared to
RRP
£ 329,42
£ 130,57
price incl. 20% VAT, free delivery
-57%
Article number: 36831-SET-MS
compared to
RRP
£ 561,43
£ 237,19
price incl. 20% VAT, free delivery
Symptoms of a bad control arm
So what happens when control arms go bad? And how can you diagnose the problem? Find out more about the common signs of a faulty car suspension arm below:
- Unstable or wandering steering. You may find that the vehicle veers to the left or right without input from the steering wheel. This could be a sign of a damaged bushing or a broken control arm ball joint. The issue may be more pronounced when driving on uneven surfaces. You should also check the steering tie rods, before replacing the bushings or suspension arm ball joint for your car.
- Uneven tyre wear. This is another potential symptom, as well as a common sign of wheel alignment problems. When the control arm bushings are worn down, the car’s alignment can be affected, causing the tyres to wear unevenly on the inner or outer edges. You should get this checked and the vehicle realigned by a professional.
- Abnormal sounds. You can sometimes hear a clunking or popping sound coming from the suspension after braking, going over bumps or potholes, and making sharp turns. This is often the first noticeable sign that the component needs to be repaired or replaced. It may be possible to remove the rust from a corroded suspension arm, but installing new parts is often the simpler, more reliable option.
- Excessive vibration. When the bushings are gone, the steering wheel may start to shake as the car wheels wobble due to loose components. The vibrations become more intense when accelerating to higher speeds.
When do you need to change the suspension arm
How much does a car control arm replacement cost?
There are a few things to consider when calculating the cost of a replacement, including the labour costs, the extent of the damage, and the make, model and year of manufacture of the vehicle. In the UK, the cost of a suspension arm replacement can be anything from £150 to over £500.
For most newer vehicles, the ball joint is integrated with the arm, meaning that if the joint fails, the entire arm has to be replaced. On older vehicles, on the other hand, the component can be replaced without replacing or removing the control arm. You may need to use a ball joint separator tool if you want to detach the joint from the arm and steering knuckle yourself.
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