Do I need new control arms or just new bushings?
Worn out or torn control arm bushings is another reason a control arm may need to be replaced. In some cars, control arm bushings can be replaced separately, but it involves more labor and could cost more. For this reason, the whole control arm is usually replaced if the bushings are worn out.
How often should control arm bushings be replaced?
The assembly is connected via ball joints to the wheels and to the frame by bushings. This setup is normally found in the front of vehicles, as very few cars have these in the rear. Over time, the control arm assembly can become worn or bent. These assemblies normally wear out between 90,000 and 100,000 miles.
Do you need to change the bushings on a control arm?
The bushings can look cracked but be fine – and if the bushings are fine, you simply don’t need to change the arm unless it has been damaged by an impact. As for the part, if you look at the diagram attached, your control arm is part #3 – the y shaped piece, and your control arm bushings are parts 4 and 5.
How does the control arm work on a car?
The bushings provide pivot points, allowing the control arm to swing up and down as the vehicle drives over bumps. The outer end of the control arm connects through a ball joint to the steering knuckle, the part that carries the front wheel. A stabilizer (sway) bar connected to both lower control arms or struts keeps the car stable in turns.
Is it necessary to replace both upper control arms?
It is not necessary to replace both lower or both upper control arms if one is bad, but often they wear out at roughly the same mileage. If one control arm is bad and the other is on its way, it makes sense to replace both arms at once.
Can a control arm be a safety issue?
The control arm does very little in the way of absorbing bumps – it just keeps your wheel properly positioned relative to the other parts. However, if the bushings (there to help keep bumps from being jarring) are badly worn, then the wheel may have too much play, and yes, it can become a safety issue.