What do control arms do for the rear axle?
For the rear of a vehicle with a solid axle, any style of control arms might be used to connect the rear axle to the frame or unibody. Most often, it is three or four control arms with rubber bushings on each end. These control arms are called “trailing arms” or “rear trailing arms”.
How is the control arm assembly connected to the car?
The control arm assembly joins the car’s suspension to the structure of the car. The assembly is connected via ball joints to the wheels and to the frame by bushings.
Are there upper and lower control arms in front wheel drive cars?
Most front-wheel drive economy cars only have lower control arms, but other cars and larger vehicles such as SUVs and trucks have both upper and lower control arms in a double-wishbone suspension assembly. The end of the control arms that attaches to the steering knuckle has a ball joint to allow the turning movements to transfer to the wheels.
How does rear axle centering link affect chassis roll?
It is possible to conclude that the [rear axle] centering link location in a drag car affects chassis roll. It does not. “On road race and stock cars, the rear centering link establishes the rear roll center height when cornering. The lower it is located, the farther it is from the center of gravity.
For the rear of a vehicle with a solid axle, any style of control arms might be used to connect the rear axle to the frame or unibody. Most often, it is three or four control arms with rubber bushings on each end. These control arms are called “trailing arms” or “rear trailing arms”.
Can a bad control arm cause steering wheel shimmy?
One of the first symptoms commonly associated with bad control arms is steering wheel vibrations. If the bushings or ball joints in the control arm become excessively worn it can cause wheel shimmy, which may cause vibrations that may be felt in the wheel.
What makes a car’s control arm work so well?
A functioning control arm helps with smooth driving. Two other components in this system — a bushing and a ball joint — are also crucial to the operation of control arms. The broad end of the triangle that is connected to the frame moves a bushing while the other end joined to the steering knuckle navigates on a ball joint.
What causes steering to move to the left or right?
Steering wandering. Another symptom commonly associated with bad or failing control arm assembly is steering wandering. Excessively worn ball joints or bushings can cause the vehicle’s steering alignment to shift, which may cause the steering to pull to the left or right when traveling down the road.