How are control arms used in front wheel drive vehicles?
Many front-wheel drive vehicles only use a lower control arm, while trucks and SUVs often have both an upper and lower control arm. A control arm connects the wheel hub and steering knuckle to the frame of the vehicle.
Why are ball joints important to your car?
Ball joints are the critical components that connect your wheel hubs to the control arms. They provide universal pivoting movement between the wheel hubs and control arms to give you a safe, smooth ride and allow you to precisely control your vehicle. While ball joints may last 70,000 miles or more, they don’t last forever.
What is the function of the control arm?
The control arm’s main function is to connect the wheel hub and the steering knuckle to the vehicle’s frame. Usually, the control arm has bushings on one side and a ball joint on the other side. As we drive our vehicles, these components will wear out over time.
Why are control arms, bushings, and ball joints important?
Control arms, bushings, and ball joints may not be common household terms for many vehicle owners. You may have never even heard of them, but they are critical components of your vehicle’s suspension system that allow your tires to smoothly go up and down in a controlled fashion. Without them, your ride probably wouldn’t be very enjoyable.
What does control arm and ball joint assembly do?
Filter your results by entering your Year, Make, Model to ensure you find the parts that fit your vehicle. A control arm and ball joint assembly contains a control arm, ball joint, and bushings and are essential components for suspension and steering. Control arms allow wheels to move up and down while preventing forward and rearward movement.
How are control arms used in a car?
Control arms allow wheels to move up and down while preventing forward and rearward movement. Other vehicles include control arms with built-in ball joints that must be replaced as a unit if they begin to fail. If any of these parts fail, they may compromise handling, comfort, and may result in serious separation…
Why are ball joints important to a vehicle?
Because ball joints are an important component of any vehicle’s suspension. When they begin to have problems or fail, the overall handling and ride characteristics of the vehicle are likely compromised.
What are the symptoms of a bad suspension ball joint?
1. Clunking Noises From the Front Suspension One of the most common symptoms of a problem with suspension ball joints is clunking noises coming from the vehicle’s front suspension. As ball joints wear out they become loose in the socket and rattle and knock as the suspension travels up and down over the road.