What Does A Rear Control Arm Do? Symptoms Of A Bad Rear Control Arm? new for 2022

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You may be asking yourself, “What does a rear control arm do? Symptoms Of A Bad Rear Control Arm ?”

The control arm is a key part of your car’s suspension system, and it plays an important role in how your car handles.

When your car’s rear control arm begins to wear out, it can cause handling problems and even lead to dangerous accidents. That’s why it’s important to know what a rear control arm does and how to identify signs that yours needs replacement. Let’s find out together in this article!

Contents

What Does A Rear Control Arm Do?

The front suspension system is made up of suspension arms, which are the basis of your vehicle’s front suspension. In a nutshell, control arms are the link that connects your car’s front wheels to its chassis. One end attaches to the wheel assembly and the other end attaches on to the car’s structure.

The top control arm connects to the top of the front wheel, and the lower control arm connects to the bottom of the front wheel, which are then connected to the car’s frame.

The purpose of a control arm is to connect the steering knuckle to the frame and stabilize the vehicle. This allows the chassis and wheels to move together while in motion. Control arms help achieve coordination between suspension and steering systems, making for a smoother ride overall.

The ball joint on the control arm serves as a pivot point for the steering system, allowing the vehicle to be turned in either direction while moving forward or backward. The hinge joint on the frame side of the control arm keeps both wheels in contact with ground whether going over smooth pavement or treading bumps and potholes. In other words, both sides ofthe control arms work together to allow movement necessary for anyVehicle operates safely on roads.

Symptoms Of A Bad Rear Control Arm

There are a few different reasons why your rear control arms might go bad. The most common cause is simply wear and tear. Over time, the bushings or ball joints that connect the control arm to your car’s chassis can wear down, causing the control arm to become loose. This can lead to all sorts of problems, from alignment issues to increased vibrations.

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Another common cause of control arm failure is rust. If your car spends a lot of time in wet or humid conditions, the control arms can start to rust. This can make it difficult to replace the bushings or ball joints, and in some cases, can cause the control arm to break entirely.

Finally, control arms can also be damaged in accidents. If you hit a pothole or get into a minor fender bender, the control arm can bend or break. This can cause alignment issues and make your car difficult to control.

Here are some common symptoms of a bad rear control arm:

Noise of clunking

When one or more of your vehicle’s control arms go bad, you’ll hear a clunking sound. The clunking noise will happen around the wheel with the faulty control arm and when driving over hills or uneven roads.

Vehicle pulling to the side

A wheel alignment is required if your car pulls to either the right or left while driving on a flat road. If your wheels are correctly aligned, on the other hand, it might indicate that your control arms are failing. If, for example, the bushing shatters, the control arm will hang loose in position. Not only does this make a clunking noise but it also causes the automobile to pull to either the right or left side depending on which control arm is damaged.

Uneven tread wear

One indicator that your vehicle’s control arms need to be replaced is uneven tread wear. Because the poor connection between the spring or strut and the vehicle’s chassis causes some tires to carry more weight than others, some will wear faster than others. And because they bear a greater portion of your car’s weight, these tires would naturally wear down quicker than the other ones.

Driving vibrations

Vibrations can make driving difficult and dangerous. Good control arms help reduce vibrations to create a smoother experience. When they go bad, they won’t be able to reduce vibrations as effectively, which might cause the bottom of your vehicle’s chassis to shake or your steering wheel to vibrate while you’re driving.

Visual harm

You’ll be unable to detect the control arms while standing next to your automobile and looking at the tires, but if you jack up your car, you can see them. If you believe your control arms are nearing the end of their lifespan, lift your vehicle and inspect each suspension component for damage. If a visual fracture has occurred in the A-shaped component that holds the spring or strut to the chassis, it must be replaced.

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What Exactly Are Control Arms Made Of?

Stamped Steel

The most popular versions of control arms were originally produced from stamped steel, which was inexpensive, fast, and simple to produce. On full-framed automobiles, this form of control arm frequently supported coil springs, as well as the attachment point for shocks and sway bars. Their main drawback is rust. Stamped steel control arms frequently succumb to rust when exposed to moisture, making it hard or impossible to replace the bushings and ball joints without damaging the control arm. The good news is that these control arms are often one of the most inexpensive parts to replace.

Cast Iron

Many modern vehicles have cast iron control arms, especially trucks and SUVs. Oftentimes, they are shaped like a wishbone in front suspensions with bushings on the inside and a ball joint on the outside. They’re much stronger than stamped steel control arms and can resist tough environments better too. If you drive an IFS truck, take a look under its front-end to see if it has cast iron control arms.

Cast Aluminum

Control arms have come a long way since their early days as simple stamped steel pieces. Now, they’re often made from cast aluminum, which is stronger and lighter than before. However, because aluminum is a softer metal, it can bend or crack more easily than steel- meaning that control arms are now more susceptible to damage from things like fender benders or pot holes. This can then cause problems with alignment.

How much does it cost to replace rear control arms?

The average cost for a rear control arm replacement is between $254 and $384. Labor costs are estimated between $158 and $200 while parts are priced at $96. This range does not include taxes and fees, and does not account for labor costs that may be higher in some cases.

Control arms can cost as little as $50 or as much as $200 each, depending on the make and model of your vehicle. To replace both rear control arms, you’re looking at a total cost between $100 and $400. That said, it’s always best to consult with a certified mechanic to get an accurate estimate for your particular vehicle.

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FAQs What Does A Rear Control Arm Do

What happens if rear control arm breaks while driving?

If your ball joints are old and worn out, you will likely have difficulty keeping your vehicle driving in a straight line. With extensive damage, you may lose control of the wheels entirely. In the worst-case scenario, if the control arm snaps, the wheel could detach from the vehicle completely.

How long do control arms last?

Over time, the control arm assembly can become worn or bent. These assemblies normally wear out between 90,000 and 100,000 miles. They can wear out faster if you go over a large pothole or are involved in a car accident. Various parts of the assembly may wear out as well, such as the bushings or ball joints.

Can I replace a control arm myself?

The replacement of a control arm is generally a do-it-yourself project. On certain cars, the control arms are already equipped with the bushings. On other vehicles, the bushing must be pressed into its housing on the control arm before it can be installed in the vehicle.

How do you test a control arm?

To check the control arm bushings, first place a pry bar on the control arm close to the bushing. Next, try moving the control arm back and forth—you might also want to try moving it down based on the design of the bushing. Be careful not to use too much force while doing this step.

Conclusion

A rear control arm is a component of your car’s suspension system. It connects the chassis to the wheel, and helps keep the tires in contact with the road while steering and turning. Amortips.com‘s team provided you many useful information about it in above article. If you’re experiencing problems with your rear control arm, it’s important to have it inspected and repaired as soon as possible. We hope this post useful for you. Thanks for reading!