Control Arm Buyer's Guide

What Is a Control Arm?

Automotive Control arms are one of the core components of a vehicle’s suspension. They’re the main connection point between the front wheel assemblies and the vehicle’s frame. Depending

on what kind of suspension you have, each wheel can have one or two control arms that support it.

Cars usually have one lower control arm per wheel, while trucks often utilize a two-control arm setup. If your car only has one control arm, it’s likely because it has a strut-type suspension. On the other hand, upper and lower arms are typically seen in vehicles with a double-wishbone suspension. Even as vehicles utilize very different suspension designs, the function of the control arm remains the same. Control arms are designed to allow the wheel and tire assembly to move up and down while traveling over bumps. At the same time, they limit the movement of steering and suspension components, specifically the components connected to the wheel. Control arms derive their name from their control over these parts.

There are two sides of a control arm and each side has its own purpose. One side connects the control arm to the vehicle’s chassis using bushings. These bushings allow the control arm to freely move up and down.

The wheels are connected on the other side of the control arm through a swiveling ball joint. This allows the wheel to turn in either direction on the control arm with the use of a steering knuckle that pivots when drivers turn the steering wheel.

There’s also a socket in the middle of the control arm where the vehicle’s heavy steel coil spring is placed. This spring cushions against bumps because it’s typically sandwiched between the control arm and the vehicle’s frame.

Replacing a Broken Control Arm

Control arms are fairly durable and can last as long as your vehicle. But if you recently had an accident or if you ran over a curb, then your control arm could have been damaged. If your control arm is about to fail, you’re likely to experience problems with your vehicle.

Even the slightest deformation of a control arm can cause pulling and abnormal handling and tire wear and prevent wheel alignment angles from being adjusted to within specification, and the damage may not be obvious until the arm is compared with the new part. Automotive Control arm replacement may also be necessary if the ball joint is worn, because some ball joints cannot be serviced separately. However, even when the bushings and ball joints can be replaced, control arm assemblies that come fitted with these parts can be a boon to repair work. It’s much quicker and usually cheaper in the long run to install a complete control arm assembly than to spend the time and effort with drivers and presses to replace the bushings and ball joint individually.

No matter what your repair needs are or what you’re working on, late model daily driver or classic cruiser, we have the replacement automotive control arms and related components to restore suspension function and geometry, ensuring proper wheel alignment, safe and predictable handling, and even tire wear. Our control arms are manufactured to original equipment specifications and will install and perform the same as original equipment, just at a much better price. They’re made of the same materials and most come with bushings and/or ball joint installed, according to application. In addition to control arms we also have a huge selection of separate bushings, shaft kits, shims, bump stops, brackets, heat shields, hardware, and other necessities.