Control Arms: Where Strength Counts
Depending on your vehicle, you may have four control arms in front of the vehicle, two uppers and two lowers. Cars with Macpherson struts have just two lower control arms in the front suspension. What does a front control arm do? It connects the frame or body of a car or truck to the assembly that holds a front wheel. This assembly is called a steering knuckle.Control arms are connected to the frame or body of a car through flexible rubber bushings, called control arm bushings. This allows a control arm to swing up and down as front wheels roll over bumps and potholes. The outer end of a control arm has a ball joint. In some cars, a ball joint is bolted to or pressed into the control arm and can be replaced separately. In others, a ball joint comes with a control arm as one piece. Control arms have a very important role in holding both front wheels on the road. If a control arm is excessively worn, damaged or bent, the vehicle may become unsafe to drive.
While it’s not necessary to replace both sides (left and right), often if one arm is worn out, it's reasonable to expect that the other will likely need replacement soon. In this case, it makes more sense to replace control arms on both sides at the same time. Additionally, replacing just one arm could lead to premature tire wear and misalignment of your vehicle's steering. When changing suspension parts, it’s always a best practice to change both sides simultaneously.
North America Auto Parts designs and manufactures control arm assemblies for all types of vehicles while maintaining the most vigorous adherence to OEM standards. Our control arm housings, ball joints, and bushings work together in enhancing durability and maximizing the longevity of your vehicle.
