Frequently Asked Questions
The control arm connects the wheel to the chassis through the knuckle. It stabilizes the vehicle and allows the chassis to move with the wheels. The arm is also the pivot point for the wheel. steering system via a swivel ball joint. This ensures good coordination between the suspension and steering systems.
The function of the control arm in a car can therefore be summarized as follows:
1. To connect the suspension to the wheels and allow both to move in unison for a comfortable ride.
2. Helps keep the wheels on the ground and stabilizes the vehicle so you can drive safely.
3. To make the steering of a vehicle smooth and efficient by providing a pivot point for the steering arm.
As you can see from the functions, the control arm has to withstand a lot of forces when a vehicle is in motion. As a result, it must be made of strong materials. The component must also resist corrosion since it is always exposed and located in the lower part of a vehicle's chassis.
Cars typically have between two and four control arms, depending on the vehicle's suspension. However, most modern cars have only one control arm in the front suspension.
Step 1: Mount the car on jacks
Start by jacking up your vehicle. Remember to lift your car on a level surface to ensure it remains stable throughout the work.
Step 2: Remove the wheel
Once the car is on the jacks, the wheel can be removed from the side of the car that is to be removed.
Step 3: Unscrew the control arm mounting bolts
You finally have access to the car's suspension system with the wheel removed. You can now unscrew all of the control arm mounting bolts.
Step 4: Remove the HS control arm
Once all of the wishbone mounts have been removed, you can remove the wishbone itself. The number and location of the mounting bolts may vary depending on the type of control arm.
Step 5: Install new control arm
Install the new control arm by tightening the wheel-side mounting bolts and then the frame-side mounting bolts. At this time, do not fully tighten the mounting bolts. Make sure that the control arm is in the correct position without damaging the flanges.
Step 6: Check wheel alignment
As with most steering or suspension work, it's important to check your wheel alignment after replacing the suspension arm. It's possible that the wheels are out of alignment after this operation.
Although there is no set interval for the life of a control arm, as a vehicle approaches 100,000 miles, the bushings may wear out and need to be replaced. In addition, aggressive driving or driving over rough terrain can shorten the life of these mechanism bushings.
Control arms can be found in every car, truck and SUV on the road today. A car's control arm is the part that attaches the steering knuckle to the vehicle's chassis. It is sometimes referred to as a wishbone or A-arm. Although designs and shapes vary, the typical control arm is a metal frame with joints at each end.
One end of the control arm is attached to the vehicle chassis, while the other end is attached to the steering knuckle. On the wheel side, these arms are mounted on a hinge-type joint using bolts and bushings. On the wheel side, a ball-and-socket joint attaches the arm to the knuckle. The control arm on a car or truck can have a variety of shapes.
