Does lower control arm come with bushing?
A control arm connects the wheel hub and steering knuckle to the frame of the vehicle. They are typically equipped with bushings on the frame side of the vehicle and a ball joint on the wheel side of the vehicle that allow flex and controlled movement according to road conditions and steering input from the driver.
How many bushings are on a lower control arm?
two bushings
Most control arms have two bushings, which are located where the control arm attaches to the frame of your car. The bushings, which are made of metal but covered in either rubber or polyurethane, keep the metal control arms from excess contact with the metal frame of the car.
What happens if you drive with bad control arm bushings?
Having damaged control arms and worn bushings or ball joints could cause suspension parts to become misaligned. When this occurs, you may experience issues with steering and handling. Usually you’ll notice noises first, either while turning, stopping or driving over speed bumps.
What are the symptoms of a bad lower control arm?
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 felt in the wheel.
What does the lower control arm bushing do?
The function of the lower control arm bushing is to lower the intensity of these vibrations underneath it as much as possible. This will allow the driver to avoid being disturbed by the vibrations while they’re trying to focus on the road.
When should you replace bushings?
While there’s no set schedule, the bushings may wear out and need to be replaced as a vehicle approaches 100,000 miles. Driving aggressively or over rough roads can decrease the lifespan of the control arm bushings. On some vehicle models, the bushings are permanently installed in the control arms.
When to replace control arm?
If the control arm on a vehicle is damaged in a crash or impact with a pothole or parking block, the suspension will be out of alignment and cause uneven tire wear and poor vehicle handling. The control arm should be replaced as soon as possible.